Associate Director, Development/Alumni Relations, School of Law

Seattle University · First Hill · $72,000–$82,000 (stated in the posting)

Months Per Year:

Work Model:

Hybrid Work Eligible

Seattle University will be one of the most innovative and progressive Jesuit and Catholic universities in the world, educating with excellence at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. We embrace an intersectional framework for defining diversity in its broadest sense, including differences in gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, generational history, culture, socioeconomic class, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, political perspectives, geographic origin and physical ability. Seattle University strives to be a welcome, open and safe campus climate for all who learn, live and work at Seattle University.

Seattle University's Core Competencies

Effective Team Collaboration: Works harmoniously with others towards a common goal, leveraging individual strengths to achieve shared objectives.

Emotionally Intelligent Communication: Engages in a skillful exchange of information, thoughts, and feelings, verbally and non-verbally.

Ethics and Integrity: Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to honesty, professionalism, and alignment with our Jesuit mission in all actions and decisions.

Flexibility and Innovation: Embraces change, approaching problems with curiosity adaptability, and is committed to making a positive impact.

Mindful Inclusion: Fosters mindful inclusion by consciously creating a workplace that celebrates differences, embraces cultural humility, and empowers uniqueness.

Outcomes-Driven Orientation: Sets clear objectives, pursues excellence, and delivers measurable outcomes while upholding Jesuit Catholic values.

Position Description:

PURPOSE

The Associate Director of Development is responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding alumni, donors, and prospective donors in support of the Seattle University School of Law. The Associate Director manages a portfolio spanning leadership annual giving and major gift prospects, with an emphasis on building the donor pipeline, increasing philanthropic support, and strategically transitioning donors toward greater levels of engagement and investment. The successful candidate will demonstrate strategic alignment, collaboration, and institutional knowledge by building strong relationships across the School of Law and Seattle University and connecting donor interests with institutional priorities and the University’s Jesuit Catholic mission.

DEVELOPMENT (90%):

Build, manage, and actively engage a portfolio of assigned prospects and donors, developing individualized strategies that move donors from qualification and cultivation through solicitation and stewardship.
Annually solicit a portfolio of 150+ assigned prospects, securing leadership annual gifts generally in the $1,000–$25,000 range while identifying and advancing donors with capacity and inclination for major gifts.
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects in support of School of Law and University priorities, in close collaboration with the Assistant Dean, Dean, and University Advancement colleagues.
Maintain an active pipeline of prospective major gift donors, including a Top 25 pool of prospects positioned for solicitation within the next 12–18 months.
Complete qualification and discovery visits beyond the assigned portfolio to identify new philanthropic prospects and expand the School of Law donor pipeline.
Develop and submit 12–25 major gift proposals annually and steward prospects through the proposal and solicitation process in accordance with University prospect management protocols.
Use a strategic mix of in-person and virtual meetings and multi-channel communications—including email, video, social media, texting, and other appropriate tools—to deepen donor engagement and increase philanthropic support.
Establish annual fundraising, activity, and pipeline goals in consultation with University Advancement leadership; develop annual work plans and regularly assess and report progress toward established goals.
Promote philanthropic opportunities across the School of Law and University, including academic and programmatic priorities, endowed funds, scholarships, Seattle U Gives, leadership annual giving, matching opportunities, and other strategic fundraising initiatives.
Partner with the Dean, Assistant Dean, faculty, academic leadership, alumni, volunteers, and other key stakeholders to cultivate and solicit individual and organizational donors, including law firms, bar associations, corporations, and other partners.
Prepare and position the Dean, President, faculty, and other University leaders for effective donor engagement through prospect strategy, briefing materials, talking points, proposals, stewardship reports, and appropriate follow-up.
Arrange and lead donor and prospect meetings and visits with university leaders, faculty, alumni, industry partners, and other stakeholders as appropriate.
Collaborate with the University Advancement Annual Giving team on School of Law annual giving strategies, including Seattle U Gives, direct response efforts, donor matching opportunities, volunteer engagement, and campaign messaging.
Partner with Advancement Events & Stewardship and School of Law colleagues to develop meaningful cultivation and stewardship opportunities, including events, donor recognition, impact reporting, gift acknowledgements, and other personalized engagement.
Support the planning and execution of donor and alumni events, including development of invitation strategies and guest lists, program content, leadership briefings, pre- and post-event engagement strategies, and measures of fundraising and engagement effectiveness.
Ensure donors receive a positive and meaningful giving experience through timely acknowledgement, appropriate recognition, personalized stewardship, and communication about the impact of their philanthropy.
In collaboration with UA Donor Relations, coordinate annual donor impact reporting for endowed, recurring, and other designated gifts and help ensure gifts are appropriately documented, acknowledged, and directed to the intended funds.
Recommend strategies for donor- and philanthropy-related content across School of Law communications, including digital communications, publications, donor stories, and other engagement channels.
Manage prospects in accordance with university prospect management and clearance protocols, coordinating prospective donor activity across University Advancement to maximize philanthropic opportunity and provide a consistent donor experience.
Maintain timely and accurate records of donor and prospect interactions, strategies, proposals, and activity in the University's advancement database, including substantive engagement by the Dean, University leadership, faculty, and volunteers.

Other Duties (10%)

Attend trainings and meetings for University Advancement.
Undertake additional special projects as directed.
Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree and 3+ years’ work experience in fundraising/development, higher education, alumni or customer engagement, non-profit program management, marketing/sales, or similar fields.
High level of cultural competency including an understanding and sensitivity to issues of race, class, and the ethical dilemmas that may arise from the development of strong reciprocal partnerships with alumni, donors, friends of the university, students, and faculty and staff.
Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal skills, along with the ability to work professionally with members of the external community and be comfortable in situations that require public presentations in front of large groups.
Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with diverse audiences including university leadership, donors, students, faculty and staff, and a diverse alumni population.
Strong computer skills, particularly working with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Attention to accuracy and detail while accomplishing multiple tasks.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, communicate with sensitivity, and follow university protocols.
Ability to manage a complex set of assignments through strong analytical, planning, reporting, project management, and collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

We are looking for candidates who believe the power of diversity enriches all of us by exposing us to a range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design, and deliver solutions.
Familiarity with customer/donor relationship management software such as Raiser’s Edge, or willingness and ability to learn new software.
Familiarity with the legal profession and community.
Familiarity with planned giving.

University Advancement is committed to developing an equitable and inclusive culture that fosters a sense of belonging for all.

Application Instructions

Please attach a cover letter with your resume when applying. Job postings are open until filled, unless otherwise specified.

Compensation at a Glance

$72,000 - $82,000

Seattle University has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, and not based on a candidate’s gender or any other protected status.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. Seattle University provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your total compensation package.

Benefits at a Glance

Consistent with its fundamental Jesuit values, Seattle University offers a wide range of benefits designed to care for the whole person. Choose from three different medical plans, a dental, and vision insurance programs. Protect your income with life, short & long-term disability coverage.

Plan for your future with up to a 10% employer contribution for retirement benefits, comprised of a 5% nonelective employer contribution and an additional dollar-for-dollar match of your voluntary contributions up to a maximum of 5%. You may also take advantage of 100% paid tuition benefits for the employee and dependents, a subsidized transportation benefit, a wellness program with free access to an onsite fitness facility, and a wide variety of campus events.

Enjoy a generous holiday schedule, including a paid Holiday break closure in December, vacation and paid sick leave, and paid community service leave. For more information explore the Benefits website at: https://www.seattleu.edu/hr/benefits/

Positions designated as hybrid eligible may offer the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule after successful completion of an introductory period of 3–6 months. In these cases, the role typically begins fully on campus to support onboarding and training, with the potential to transition to a hybrid arrangement thereafter.

Positions designated as on-site are not eligible for hybrid work and are expected to remain fully on campus.

All flexible work arrangements are subject to periodic review and may be modified or discontinued at any time at the university’s discretion.

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