Assistant Dean for Advancement (Chief Advancement Officer)

Job Description

For over 160 years, the University of Washington has been a hub for learning, innovation, problem solving and community building. Supporting this legacy and important public mission—with the goal of making the UW the world’s greatest public university, as measured by positive impact—guides everything we do in University Advancement. Bringing together development; alumni and stakeholder engagement; marketing and communications; and advancement operations, we advance the UW’s impact by developing meaningful connections that foster pride, advocacy and philanthropic support.  

 

The mission of the Development team is to facilitate private resources to enhance and protect the University’s reputation and support equitable community building and service. This starts with creating a culture of belonging within our organization that values the diverse experiences and expertise of our team members, allowing everyone to thrive and to contribute their unique talents as we strive to achieve our shared goals.

 

The School of Pharmacy has an exciting opening for the Assistant Dean for Advancement. This is a full-time permanent position.

 

The Assistant Dean for Advancement (Chief Advancement Officer) leads and directs the School of Pharmacy's advancement program, providing programs and services that advance the School's mission and support the Dean's strategic goals. Serving as a strategic advisor and partner to the Dean, the Assistant Dean oversees the School's fundraising, stakeholder engagement, and marketing and communications strategies. In partnership with the Dean and other school leaders, this role helps advance strategic priorities through deep collaboration across the School's diverse departments, centers, and interdisciplinary programs.

 

Working closely with their team, the Assistant Dean develops, implements, and evaluates communications, activities, initiatives, and programs that inspire philanthropic support, enhance the School's visibility and reputation, strengthen corporate and foundation partnerships, increase individual giving, and deepen alumni engagement. The Assistant Dean reports jointly to the Dean of the School of Pharmacy and the Assistant Vice President for Health Sciences Advancement.

 

What You Will Do

 

Strategic Leadership and Team Management (40%)

• Lead and oversee all aspects of the school’s advancement program, including annual, major, and planned giving; corporate and foundation relations; donor stewardship and recognition; alumni engagement; communications and publications; and external relations, with a focus on growing philanthropic support.
• Provide strategic leadership for advancement-related marketing, communications, and internal engagement initiatives that advance the school’s goals and priorities.
• Develop and manage the Advancement unit budget; monitor financial performance; and prepare regular reports on advancement results, trends, and philanthropic activity for school and University leadership.
• Lead, manage, and develop a high-performing Advancement team, providing supervision, coaching, performance management, and professional development.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Dean and an active member of the School's Executive Council and the University Advancement Development Leadership Team, contributing to strategic planning, institutional decision-making, fundraising priorities, and advancement initiatives that support both School and University goals.

 

Frontline Fundraising (45%)

• Manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, developing and executing individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies; prepare proposals, agreements, and related materials; and actively utilize the University’s prospect management systems.
• Lead the planning and execution of school-based and university-wide fundraising campaigns, including campaign strategy, infrastructure, volunteer leadership recruitment, prospect prioritization, case development, and stakeholder engagement.
• Develop strategies to grow and diversify the donor base, with a focus on major gifts, current use and endowment funding, and other strategic funding opportunities; coordinate fundraising activities across departments and programs in alignment with the Dean’s priorities.
• Partner with University Advancement, the Health Sciences cohort and other schools and units to coordinate fundraising efforts, leverage institutional resources and campaigns, meet established performance metrics, and maximize philanthropic support for the school and University.

 

Campaign Planning and Execution (15%)

• Lead campaign strategy, planning, and execution, including case development, prospect prioritization, volunteer engagement, communications, and organizational readiness to support transformational fundraising initiatives.
• Leverage the full advancement enterprise to strengthen stakeholder engagement, expand philanthropic support, and position the school for successful future campaigns and long-term advancement growth.

 

Other duties as assigned.

 

Required Qualifications 

To be considered for this opportunity, your application must demonstrate that you meet the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

 

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications will not be forwarded to the Hiring Department.

 

A bachelor’s degree AND a minimum of eight years of professional advancement experience in institutional development/advancement, with an emphasis on cultivating and soliciting major gifts.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years of supervisory experience, including talent acquisition, performance management, goal setting, workflow oversight, employee development and conflict resolution.
• Experience leading or overseeing strategic marketing, communications and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
• Demonstrated success as an inclusive and effective leader with the ability to translate organizational priorities into action, execute strategic goals and drive measurable results through collaboration and relationship building.
• Demonstrated learning agility and intellectual curiosity, with the ability to quickly understand complex academic, research, scientific, or technical environments and communicate their impact to a variety of audiences.
• Exceptional interpersonal, relationship-building and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences, navigate complex situations and communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and productive relationships with faculty, academic leaders, volunteers, donors, corporate and foundation partners and other key stakeholders to advance institutional priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, take initiative, manage competing priorities, and deliver results in a complex and dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to higher education and extensive knowledge of fundraising principles, donor engagement strategies, philanthropic trends and advancement best practices.
• Demonstrated creativity, resourcefulness, organizational effectiveness, and attention to detail, with the ability to make sound decisions in complex and evolving environments. 
• Proven ability to achieve exceptional results while fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture among staff, volunteers and cross-functional partners.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable work environment.
• Ability to lead in a manner consistent with the University’s mission, vision, values and culture, while inspiring others to do the same.
• Demonstrated integrity and discretion, including the ability to handle confidential information and model the highest ethical standards.
• Demonstrated commitment to higher education and extensive knowledge of fundraising principles, philanthropic trends and advancement best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with faculty, academic leaders, volunteers, donors and other key stakeholders to advance institutional priorities.

 

What You Can Expect

• Hybrid-work schedule with 4 days in the office and 1 day eligible for telework per week, based on business needs. 
• Ability to work evening and weekend hours, as necessary, on short or limited notice.
• Access to regular and reliable transportation for local travel and willingness to travel when necessary.
• Frequent local travel is expected.

 

#UWUAJOBS

 

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$171,960.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$181,008.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW 

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.  

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

Our Commitment 

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected]. 

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.