Senior Director of Development
Feiro Marine Life Center, Seattle, WA, United States
THIS OPPORTUNITY
WSOS is seeking a seasoned and creative fundraising strategist who is passionate about increasing college and career opportunities for historically excluded and under-resourced students. They will have experience with all major fundraising approaches, with specific experience leading campaigns, major giving and corporate strategies. They should be excited to take on the challenge of building systems to strengthen and significantly grow WSOS’s fundraising capacity, including hiring, supporting, and leading a talented and effective team. Successful candidates will share WSOS’s commitment to using an equity lens in all aspects of their leadership.
The Senior Director of Development reports to the WSOS Executive Director and is a member of the Senior Leadership Team. The Senior Director of Development builds and scales the WSOS fundraising program, laying the foundation for sustainable success and increased impact for many years to come. The work is primarily focused on strategic visioning, relationship building, and supporting the team and infrastructure that will be required to significantly increase the capacity of WSOS’s development efforts. This is a unique opportunity to work in a smaller, close-knit, and mission-driven nonprofit organization, while still planning for and securing large-scale, multi-million-dollar gifts that lead to measurable impact that you would typically only encounter in a much larger organization. This role is highly external-facing, requiring frequent donor meetings and attendance at strategic events; work hours will vary to accommodate donor and event schedules, including occasional evenings, weekends, and in-state travel. The Senior Director of Development is a pivotal leader on a collaborative team that is innovative and equity-focused, making a real difference in the lives of the students WSOS serves.
The main WSOS office is in Seattle’s Mt. Baker neighborhood. Most staff work on a hybrid schedule, generally working from the WSOS office two days per week. This role is expected to follow this schedule.
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities
Partnering with the WSOS Board and Executive Director to hone and lead a strategy to significantly increase the fundraising capacity of the organization and create a sustainable model that will serve WSOS into the future
Planning for and implementing fundraising infrastructure, processes, and metrics to support a more robust fundraising operation
Leading and growing a highly effective team of 6 FTE advancement professionals
Expanding and deepening the donor base, soliciting sustaining gifts for 2026 and beyond
Managing a major gift portfolio including individual, foundation, and corporate donors and prospects, and serving as a major gift solicitor
Creating consistent, powerful and compelling fundraising messaging in partnership with the External Affairs and Marketing & Communications teams
Other duties as assigned
We look to the Senior Director of Development to maintain the highest ethical fundraising standards and to approach all their work with an equity lens. They are a key partner in our efforts to navigate the complex power dynamics that are inherent in fundraising to support historically excluded students, and they will, at times, be called on to explore these issues with the students, staff, Board, and funders who make up the WSOS community.
How to Apply Please visit https://waopportunityscholarship.org/about/careers/ and click on “Check for open roles” to submit the following documents:
Cover letter outlining your interest in the position
Resume highlighting relevant aspects of your experience
All applications received by April 10, 2026, will be reviewed. The position will remain open until filled.
Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience); graduate degree preferred, ideally in a field related to public service, nonprofit leadership or administration Minimum of ten (10) years of work experience in fundraising, community engagement, corporate relations, higher education or related fields At least five (5) years of experience leading an effective team Active desire to opt in to the eight WSOS values as outlined on our Careers page
Knowledge of
People management and motivation best practices to unlock employee’s fullest potential
Fundraising strategies across the spectrum of development activities including annual fund, events, grants, major gifts, planned giving and campaigns
CRM best practices for moves management and real-time reporting
Systems of power and oppression and how they impact the lived experience of students of color, first-generation college students, students from low-income families and other historically marginalized communities
Skill in
Graciously cultivating, soliciting and stewarding donors; particularly seeking candidates with a proven track record of success in securing very large gifts from corporate partners
Overseeing, designing and implementing a diversified fundraising strategy and a history of successfully delivering on fundraising goals
Serving as a senior development team leader including experience hiring, developing, and coaching fundraising staffDeveloping a culture of excellence with clear expectations and accountability
Leveraging technology and other creative solutions to enhance productivity and grow efficiencies
Having respectful, courageous and honest conversations
Ability to
Set and drive toward ambitious goals and pivot in response to unforeseen challenges and opportunities using strategic vision and solutions-centric thinking
Communicate clearly and persuasively both orally and in writing
Work with influential leaders from a wide variety of industries, belief systems and backgrounds with confidence and competence
Thrive working independently and under supervision in an energetic, fast-paced team environment toward shared aspirational goals with quantifiable measures of success
Learn from experience with an appetite for doing better next time in service of mission
Licenses, Certificates and other requirements
Valid Washington state driver’s license or identification card
Access to reliable transportation for business travel
Proof of automobile insurance upon request if using a personal vehicle for business travel
Criminal background check absent of offenses impacting ability to perform in the role
References will be required of short-listed candidates
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Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities
Partnering with the WSOS Board and Executive Director to hone and lead a strategy to significantly increase the fundraising capacity of the organization and create a sustainable model that will serve WSOS into the future
Planning for and implementing fundraising infrastructure, processes, and metrics to support a more robust fundraising operation
Leading and growing a highly effective team of 6 FTE advancement professionals
Expanding and deepening the donor base, soliciting sustaining gifts for 2026 and beyond
Managing a major gift portfolio including individual, foundation, and corporate donors and prospects, and serving as a major gift solicitor
Creating consistent, powerful and compelling fundraising messaging in partnership with the External Affairs and Marketing & Communications teams
Other duties as assigned
We look to the Senior Director of Development to maintain the highest ethical fundraising standards and to approach all their work with an equity lens. They are a key partner in our efforts to navigate the complex power dynamics that are inherent in fundraising to support historically excluded students, and they will, at times, be called on to explore these issues with the students, staff, Board, and funders who make up the WSOS community.
How to Apply Please visit https://waopportunityscholarship.org/about/careers/ and click on “Check for open roles” to submit the following documents:
Cover letter outlining your interest in the position
Resume highlighting relevant aspects of your experience
All applications received by April 10, 2026, will be reviewed. The position will remain open until filled.
Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience); graduate degree preferred, ideally in a field related to public service, nonprofit leadership or administration Minimum of ten (10) years of work experience in fundraising, community engagement, corporate relations, higher education or related fields At least five (5) years of experience leading an effective team Active desire to opt in to the eight WSOS values as outlined on our Careers page
Knowledge of
People management and motivation best practices to unlock employee’s fullest potential
Fundraising strategies across the spectrum of development activities including annual fund, events, grants, major gifts, planned giving and campaigns
CRM best practices for moves management and real-time reporting
Systems of power and oppression and how they impact the lived experience of students of color, first-generation college students, students from low-income families and other historically marginalized communities
Skill in
Graciously cultivating, soliciting and stewarding donors; particularly seeking candidates with a proven track record of success in securing very large gifts from corporate partners
Overseeing, designing and implementing a diversified fundraising strategy and a history of successfully delivering on fundraising goals
Serving as a senior development team leader including experience hiring, developing, and coaching fundraising staffDeveloping a culture of excellence with clear expectations and accountability
Leveraging technology and other creative solutions to enhance productivity and grow efficiencies
Having respectful, courageous and honest conversations
Ability to
Set and drive toward ambitious goals and pivot in response to unforeseen challenges and opportunities using strategic vision and solutions-centric thinking
Communicate clearly and persuasively both orally and in writing
Work with influential leaders from a wide variety of industries, belief systems and backgrounds with confidence and competence
Thrive working independently and under supervision in an energetic, fast-paced team environment toward shared aspirational goals with quantifiable measures of success
Learn from experience with an appetite for doing better next time in service of mission
Licenses, Certificates and other requirements
Valid Washington state driver’s license or identification card
Access to reliable transportation for business travel
Proof of automobile insurance upon request if using a personal vehicle for business travel
Criminal background check absent of offenses impacting ability to perform in the role
References will be required of short-listed candidates
#J-18808-Ljbffr