Summary of Duties:

The Cougar Athletic Fund (CAF) supports WSU Athletics to unleash excellence by providing a TRANSFORMATIVE STUDENT-ATLETE EXPERIENCE, while elevating Washington State University through COMPETITIVE EXCELLENCE, CAMPUS COLLBORATION, and COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. As part of WSU Advancement, the CAF puts Cougar spirit into action by engaging in meaningful philanthropic engagement to advance WSU’s land-grant mission and support students.
 

WSU Intercollegiate Athletics is looking for a Development Director (level 1 or 2) to support the Cougar Athletic Fund’s (CAF) fundraising goals by planning and conducting outreach to promote constituents understanding of Athletics’ activities and goals, with the aim of cultivating donors and monetary support. Your efforts will include annual giving efforts, major gift development of $25,000 or more, and planned giving identification and advancements. There will be significant travel in Washington State, the Pacific Northwest, and elsewhere while you build donor relationships.
 

As a Development Director 1, you will manage a portfolio of approximately 200 prospective donors, open/plan a minimum of 100 solicitations, and have an annual fundraising goal between $100,000 and $250,000.
 

As a Development Director 2, you will manage a portfolio of approximately 150 donors, close 5 to 15 major gift pledges, open/plan a minimum of 15 solicitations, and have an annual fundraising goal between $250,000 and $750,000.
 

Percentage Breakdown of Job Functions:

·       80% Donor Cultivation, Solicitation and Stewardship

·       15% Unit Specific Responsibilities

·       5% Other Duties as Assigned
 

Remote/hybrid opportunity may be available for candidates within commutable distance to Washington State University/WSU Pullman Campus.

Required Qualifications - Director of Development 1:

• Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years Advancement experience or comparable experience in sales, marketing, or public relations that has involved direct face-to-face contact with clients, customers, prospective customers, and/or members of the public. A Master’s degree in a related field may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the required experience.

Required Qualifications - Director of Development 2:

• Bachelor’s degree and three (3) years of progressively responsible relevant experience, which includes one year of full-time fundraising experience of successful face-to-face gift solicitation of $50,000 or more, or equivalent experience; equivalent experience includes experience in sales; marketing; public relations; and/or advancement experience which has involved direct face-to-face contact with clients, customers, prospective customers and members of the public. A Master’s degree in a related field may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the required experience.

Additional Requirements - Both:

• Experience demonstrating strong interpersonal skills in establishing and maintaining internal and external relationships.

• Demonstrated ability to cultivate, develop and steward client/donor relationships.

• Understanding of proposal development and writing, fundraising and/or client development principles and techniques; project management skills; and relevant event planning/management.

• Demonstrated success in proposal writing and submission.

• Must have, or be able to obtain, a valid driver’s license at time of hire.

• Must be able and willing to work evenings and weekends as necessary.

Preferred Qualifications - Both:

• Fundraising experience closing major gifts of $50,000 and above. 

• Evidence of ability to plan and execute a fundraising project from conception to realization.

• Experience as a former collegiate student-athlete or working with collegiate student-athletes.

• Experience with alumni/donor database applications.