Director of Major Giving

SEATTLE, WA

United Way of King County works to build a community where all people have homes, students graduate, and families are financially stable. Our culture fosters collaboration, teamwork, open communication, leadership, integrity, and accountability.

With our unwavering focus on racial justice for all, we hope to achieve racially equitable outcomes in King County and beyond. We believe that having staff, volunteers, and supportive community members who represent diverse backgrounds and circumstances will help us more effectively accomplish our mission. We aim to a create a welcoming and inclusive work environment, and we also strive to have a diverse staff and particularly encourage Black and Indigenous people, and people of color to apply and join our team.

About the Role

The Director, Major Gifts is accountable for the development, planning, and implementation of innovative fundraising strategies for the mid-level and major giving programs at United Way of King County, including the Million Dollar Round Table, United Way Champions, and Planned Giving. The position directs the efforts of Board members, Champion volunteers, and staff by providing comprehensive leadership, support, and direction to the major and mid-level giving programs raising approximately $10M annually.

This position serves as a key member of the Development Leadership Team. The role develops positive relationships with development volunteers, Board members, and community leaders to achieve ambitious fundraising goals and to ensure positive donor and volunteer experiences. The position sets the vision for mid-level and major donor engagement, balancing near-term goals with future-oriented plans and strategies that align with United Way’s commitment to lead with racial equity. The position personally manages a donor portfolio of high net-worth individuals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Plans, schedules, and implements fundraising activities to advance the mid-level and major gift pipeline and maximize private fundraising support to United Way. Develops detailed major gift and principal gift opportunities tailored to the interest of potential donors in the areas consistent with United Way fundraising priorities.

Develops and manages a dynamic portfolio to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward prospects for major and principal gifts. May include some private family foundation prospects.
Serves as key partner outlining the overarching Development Team strategies with the VP of Development, CEO, key volunteers, other members of the Development Leadership Team, and internal stakeholders such as Office of the President, Brand and Community Services colleagues.

Interacts frequently with high-level donors within own portfolio, and more generally, as a key leader, with United Way Champion volunteers (e.g., high-level volunteers), assessing, meeting, and exceeding donor expectations.

Manages the cultivation and development of strong high-level volunteer leaders while also supporting the annual campaign chair related to major giving. Oversees the planning and implementation of special fundraising campaigns (e.g., the Bridge to Finish $15 million campaign).

Performs other related duties as assigned.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Demonstrated ability to lead strategic development efforts with the ability to develop and deliver a clear vision/plan.

Proven success in leading and developing mid-level and major fundraising initiatives with quantifiable results that meet or exceed goals and objectives.

Demonstrated ability to personally and effectively cultivate and close major gifts of $25,000+, as well as leadership gifts of $100,000+ and transformational gifts of $1,000,000+.

Astute in cultivating and managing internal and external relationships.

Strategic thinker, results-driven and innovative.

Demonstrated ability to coach and mentor employees in a rigorous environment of high expectations, performance, and accountability.

Proven successful volunteer management and leadership skills.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Intermediate Microsoft Office skills and familiarity with CRM tools, a plus.

Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems by working collaboratively with others within and across teams.
Demonstrated understanding of social and racial justice and equity, with a proven commitment to apply racial and economic justice lenses in both personal and workplace contexts.

Lived experience and/or demonstrated professional skills working within a diverse work environment.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent specializing in Business, Marketing, Sales, Communications, or a related field is required; Master’s degree preferred with a concentration in non-profit management/administration, fundraising or business management. CFRE certification is desired.

Ten years’ progressively successful fundraising and supervisory experience, as well as demonstrated success achieving ambitious major gift goals in a competitive, fast-changing environment, including evidence of helping individuals and groups effectively implement change. Strong familiarity with both the non-profit arena and the regional corporate landscape is required.

United Way of King County is an equal employment opportunity employer, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law. UWKC values a racially diverse workplace and strongly encourages Black and Indigenous people, and people of color to apply.

We are an Employer of National Service: AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

COMPENSATION

The annual recruiting salary range for this position is $103,000 to $111,000 DOE. This position is open until filled; first consideration will be given to applications received within two weeks of posting.

United Way of King County is an exceptional workplace that can provide you with:

Opportunities to work with smart, passionate, and enthusiastic team members and volunteers
Ongoing collaboration with diverse staff and other constituents
A desirable culture of high-performance expectations and accountability
Exciting and challenging work
Opportunities to help solve the community’s toughest problems

HOW TO APPLY

The United Way of King County is committed to diversity & inclusion and continually working to build an organizational culture and climate in which every voice is valued, staff have a sense of belonging and connection with one another and to the organization, and staff feel empowered to do their best work. We specifically encourage people of color, individuals who identify as LGBTQ and individuals with disabilities to apply for this position.

All interested parties are urged to apply by completing the form below:

United Way King County operates a hybrid workplace with all employees able to work a combination of remote, on-site, and off-site. Full COVID-19 vaccination is required for this role.

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