Director of Development

Overview

Trinity Washington University seeks a mission-driven, strategic, and experienced Director of Development to provide leadership across key advancement functions, including the Annual Fund, Class and Reunion Giving, Stewardship, and Records and Research, in addition to managing a major gifts portfolio. This senior role ensures cohesive, data-informed, and donor-centered fundraising strategies that strengthen philanthropic support for Trinitys institutional priorities.

Salary range: $120,000-$135,000 (Salary determination is based on experience.)

• Leadership & Department Oversight
  • Provide strategic and managerial oversight of the Annual Fund, Class and Reunion Giving, Stewardship, and Records and Research teams.
  • Align annual, leadership, and major giving strategies to support institutional priorities and campaign goals.
  • Establish and monitor departmental goals, performance metrics, and reporting structures.
• Major Gifts & Portfolio Management
  • Manage a portfolio of 75–125 major gift prospects capable of making gifts of $10,000+.
  • Conduct regular donor visits, cultivation meetings, and solicitations to meet annual and campaign fundraising goals.
  • Develop individualized donor cultivation and solicitation strategies.
  • Prepare compelling proposals, briefings, and donor communications.
• Annual Fund Leadership
  • Oversee development and execution of a comprehensive multi-channel annual giving plan.
  • Ensure effective strategies and segmentation for direct mail, digital campaigns, phone outreach, and annual leadership gifts.
  • Collaborate with Creative Services team on messaging, appeals, and branding for annual fund initiatives.
• Class & Reunion Giving Management
  • Lead class-based philanthropy, including reunion campaigns and volunteer class agent programs.
  • Recruit, train, and support alumnae/i volunteers.
  • Set class-based fundraising goals and monitor progress.
• Stewardship & Donor Relations
  • Supervise the stewardship program, including donor recognition, acknowledgment processes, and donor impact reporting.
  • Ensure consistent, timely, and accurate stewardship for all donor segments.
  • Support development of giving societies and recognition events.
• Records & Research Oversight
  • Oversee advancement services, including donor records, gift processing, data integrity, and research.
  • Ensure accurate and timely reporting, prospect research, and data analytics.
  • Establish policies and best practices for data management and confidentiality.
• Campaign & Strategic Fundraising Leadership
  • Support design, execution, and reporting for special campaigns, including capital and endowment initiatives.
  • Work with the Vice President for Development to drive overall fundraising strategy.
  • Collaborate with campus partners on priority-setting and fundraising alignment.
• Donor & Volunteer Engagement
  • Cultivate and steward relationships with alumnae/i, families, foundations, and friends of Trinity.
  • Engage volunteer leaders, trustees, and class committees in fundraising activities.
  • Represent Trinity at events, receptions, and donor programs.
• Work Environment & Physical Requirements
  • On-campus, office-based position with regular donor travel in the region.
  • Evening and weekend work required for donor meetings, campus events, and campaign activities.

• Bacheloregree required.
• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in higher education advancement or a closely related nonprofit fundraising field.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with diverse populations, including racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse communities.
• Proven success in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.
• Experience with CRM/fundraising database systems (Raiserdge) and comfort using data to inform strategies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively across teams.

• Experience in higher education or nonprofit major gifts fundraising.
• Experience with organizing and executing annual funds
• Familiarity with capital campaigns and class-led fundraising.
• Understanding of donor segmentation, prospect research, and moves management.
• Knowled…