Vice President for University Development

Job Description

This search has been recruited and managed by The Bryant Group, this posting is only open to finalists of the position.

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.  

University Advancement has an exciting opening for a VP for University Development. This is a full-time permanent position.

The Vice President for University Development will serve as a key senior leader for University Advancement, providing leadership, oversight and strategic direction for a high-performing development enterprise within a fully integrated advancement model. In this role, the Vice President will be responsible for sustaining and advancing a mature fundraising program, guiding strategy and execution across central development functions and in partnership with schools, colleges, campuses and units. With philanthropic contributions averaging more than $700 million annually from approximately 150,000 donors, the Vice President plays a central role in strengthening performance, prioritizing resources and ensuring fundraising efforts align with the University’s institutional priorities and public mission.

The Vice President will partner closely with the Senior Vice President for University Advancement and, as a member of the Executive Strategy Team, will contribute to enterprise-level strategy, priorities and key decisions, working collaboratively across University Advancement to align goals, coordinate efforts and drive results.

What You Will Do:

• Provide strategic leadership for a university-wide development enterprise, setting direction and standards while monitoring progress toward institutional fundraising priorities and goals.

• Coach and align senior fundraising leaders across schools, colleges, campuses and central programs within a distributed, shared-reporting structure, building organizational capacity and fostering a high-performance culture.

• Partner across advancement functions—engagement, marketing and operations—to advance integrated practices that strengthen donor strategy, systems and outcomes.

• Collaborate with academic and administrative leadership, including the VP for Medical Affairs/Chief Advancement Officer (UW Medicine), to ensure strategic alignment, coordinated execution and consistent best practices across the enterprise.

• Serve as a trusted advisor in complex donor situations and policy matters and participate as a member of the Executive Strategy Team to shape advancement-wide priorities and guide enterprise decision-making.

• Lead budgeting and capacity planning for the University Development enterprise.

Minimum Requirements: 

Bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in institutional advancement with deep experience leading a comprehensive program in a major university environment.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

What You Bring:

• Demonstrated commitment to building a diverse, welcoming and inclusive environment and leading with transparency, collaboration and continuous improvement.

• Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, presentation, and written communication skills with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

• Proven team leadership experience with success in complex, highly matrixed structures and the ability to manage human, fiscal and information resources strategically.

• Broad knowledge of development including principal giving, major gifts, annual philanthropy, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, stewardship, prospect development and advancement systems.

• Commitment to advancing an integrated advancement model.

• Experience in large, complex public higher education institutions and in an integrated advancement structure.

• Demonstrated success partnering across a wide range of schools and colleges with differing priorities and contexts.

What You Can Expect:

• This position requires a regular on-campus presence to support effective collaboration and engagement.

• Ability to work evening and weekend hours, as necessary, on short or limited notice.

• Frequent local and occasional international travel expected.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$400,008.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$475,008.00 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 dso@uw.edu. 

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.