Development Director
Seattle Humane
Job Description
Description
Please be aware that interviews will not be scheduled until the week of June 23rd. We encourage applicants to submit their materials in advance, and we will reach out to qualified candidates when scheduling begins.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Development Director at Seattle Humane is the key integrator for annual giving, Major gifts, community events, corporate support, grants, third party fundraisers, workplace giving, planned giving, and other special initiatives. The Development Director is also responsible for overseeing key outreach efforts for strategic community partnerships. In addition, the Development Director is an active front line fundraiser who manages a portfolio of donors and is responsible for driving strategic decisions and actions to meet fundraising goals. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Development Director leads a dynamic group of fundraisers with an annual target of $10M+ in contributions, with the expectation to work with Finance and the leadership team to determine ambitious and realistic annual revenue growth goals. The Development Director collaborates closely with the External Relations Director and Finance Director.
KEY OR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Demonstrates exemplary leadership and proactively manages team to achieve success.
Develops and implements strategic plans to achieve growth-oriented short-term and long-term fundraising goals.
Develops the division’s annual revenue and expense budgets; tracks budget progress towards reaching monthly, quarterly and annual targets; and makes data-driven decisions to guide the division’s activities.
Monitors and reports regularly on the progress of the development program by presenting data to senior leaders and the Board of Directors.
Responsible for partnering with the Chair of the Development Committee to ensure committee is focused on assisting staff with fundraising strategy and donor cultivation.
Supervises the team on the overall performance of the annual giving program including the multi-channel direct response program, with a focus on growing mid-level donors and overall donor retention.
Supervises the Events and Strategic Partnerships Associate Director on all fundraising and community partner events, including Tuxes & Tails, Day of Giving, and other donor stewardship events. Sets the strategy for all corporate relations activities including stewarding and growing the base of corporate sponsors.
Supervises the development of strategy around growing grant funding for the organization and proactively seeking out new grant funding opportunities.
Supervise the Donor Services team leader on overall processes and procedures related to gift entry and processing, Donor and Prospect Research, Portfolio and pipeline management, and overall technical solutions for the development team.
Supervises the Associate Director of Philanthropy on growing Seattle Humane’s Major Gifts and Planned Giving programs, and implementing a moves management cycle focused on retaining and upgrading the organization’s major donors.
In partnership with the External Relations Director, oversee and develop top level messaging and branding strategies for donor communications and campaigns.
Position Seattle Humane through innovative and forward-thinking donor communication strategies.
Manages a select portfolio of individual and corporate donors, must feel comfortable as a front-line fundraiser.
Works regularly with Executive Director, External Relations Director, and the Finance Director to coordinate and support fundraising and community partnership activities.
Fosters a donor-centric and collaborative culture across the Development & Marketing Departments and organization-wide.
CONTRIBUTION TO CROSS-FUNCTIONAL WORKGROUPS:
This role is expected to be a core contributor internal projects that support overall shelter operations and the long-term sustainability of Seattle Humane. This strategy workgroup will be available to staff at all levels, providing coaching and resources to inform priorities and support decision-making. Core project areas include:
People: providing holistic perspective to how we support and empower our staff & collaborate effectively together. Key topics may include organizational design, staff development, and succession planning.
Systems & Processes: using process improvement principles to support efficiency and sustainability of our internal operations, including existing protocols, innovation efforts, and technology platforms.
Revenue Generation: investigating new opportunities for growth at Seattle Humane with the goal of long-term revenue diversity.
Data & Analytics: creating and maintaining data tools that inform our operations and help Seattle Humane plan for the future.
Long-term Sustainability: lead cross-functional efforts surrounding Seattle Humane’s strategic vision, including evaluating partnerships and strategic planning.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Provides direct supervision to 1–5 senior staff managing development areas, including but not limited to major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, events and strategic partnerships. This position also provides indirect leadership, supervision, mentoring and coaching for seven (7) additional staff.
Qualifications
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
A minimum of six (6) years fundraising experience with proven track record of achieving fundraising goals and managing complex teams.
Record of successful career growth with a minimum of four (4) years management responsibility leading a team in year-over-year growth within a substantial non-profit organization(s).
Demonstrated experience in developing annual giving programs, including mail and digital response programs, donor cultivation and stewardship programs, fundraising event coordination and execution, grant research and proposal writing, and corporate and foundation relationship building.
Demonstrated experience in leading and motivating staff and other volunteers in a team-oriented setting to carry out fundraising activities and grow dollars received annually.
Commitment to providing quality service and deep commitment to Seattle Humane’s mission.
Demonstrated proficiency using Raiser’s Edge, iWave and other donor research software experience preferred.
Excellent written, interpersonal and verbal communication skills and experience in managing complex projects.
Personal knowledge and professional relationships with local, regional and/or national philanthropic fundraising decision makers desired.
Highly organized person who exhibits follow through on all tasks.
Sets and achieves personal goals and take initiative to motivate team to achieve their goals.
Strong attention to detail and desire for accuracy.
Display a positive attitude and professional demeanor, empathy and care for people and community, self-confidence, common sense and good listening skills.
Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Office experience required.
communications/interpersonal contact
Daily verbal or written communication with staff, volunteers, donors, vendors and other constituents through direct contact, meetings, written procedures, email, phone or mail.
Frequent contact with Board Members and Seattle Humane executive team members by telephone, email, direct contact and through the mail.
Commits to valuing diversity and contributes to an inclusive working environment that is sensitive to other opinions, culture, and perspectives.
COMPLEXITY
High degree of judgment and discretion required. Working directly with the CAO, staff members in a supervisory role, staff members throughout the organization, Board Members, volunteers and donors. Must have experience in using software systems to perform donor and data analysis and data mining and track solicitation and stewardship activities. Demonstrated experience in managing complex special projects at the executive and Board level. Comfortable in interpreting and analyzing budgets, as well as making data-driven decisions. Needs attention to detail and high level of comfort interacting with donors and the public.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
Excellent professional writing skills required. Demonstrated experience in making decisions under time constraints. Must have experience in negotiating with vendors, as well as organizing and managing multiple and complex projects. Must possess good attention to detail and concentration to produce accurate work despite frequent interruptions. Expected to sit for long periods of time; to lift and carry at least 30 pounds; to kneel, crouch, bend and reach. Demonstrates initiative and motivation in performing work.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
General office environment. May have limited animal handling which presents the potential of animal bites, exposure to zoonotic diseases (diseases that can be transmitted from vertebrate animals to people), animal dander and noise.
Equipment Use: Continuous use of computer, printer, copy machine, and phone.
Work Hours: Salaried full-time exempt position. 40 hours a week scheduled, five days a week. Some evening and/or weekend hours required.
SEATTLE HUMANE CORE VALUES:
Candidate should be committed to Seattle Humane’s Core Values:
Compassion
Accessibility
Innovation
Responsibility
Teamwork
The Benefits:
At Seattle Humane, we believe in investing in our people, you'll receive competitive benefits and perks, including full health & wellness coverage, generous paid time off starting at three weeks, 10 paid holidays, an employer matching retirement plan, personal pet allowance, employee sabbaticals, discounts, and you get to work around cute animals!
Check out our LIST of benefits and perks HERE
Sound like something you want to be a part of? Then apply today!
Who we are:
Seattle Humane is more than a shelter, we are a community resource center. We're meeting the increasing need for pet owner support services, so that families don't have to choose between an overdue bill and a beloved family member. We're training the next generation of veterinarians in our state-of-the-art medical center. We're building a community of animal advocates through our volunteer and youth education programs. The impact of Seattle Humane is life-changing, for the animals in our care and the people who love them. Our top priority is to connect animals in need of rescue with the people who will love them. Through our outreach, advocacy, and services, we strive to ensure that animal companionship is accessible to all.
Take a look at our Vision for the Future, which will guide our work and priorities in the years to come.
Equal Opportunity Statement:
As an equal opportunity employer, Seattle Humane is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
This is a full time job
Contact Information
Job Contact Details
Closing Date: Monday, June 30, 2025
Posting Date:
Closing Date: