Senior Development Director, Institutional Advancement

Position Summary

The Senior Director of Development is a leadership position within the Institutional Advancement Division. It is responsible for leading and developing a high-performing fundraising team and program for the Bellevue College Foundation. This role is an exciting opportunity for a strong advancement leader to shape the future of the students, faculty, and programs at Bellevue College. The position combines strategic leadership, frontline fundraising expertise, and team coaching to maximize funding for institutional priorities. These priorities advance educational opportunities, support groundbreaking discoveries, and make higher education within reach for families across our region and beyond.

Key growth areas of the development program include major and principal gifts, planned giving, annual giving, corporate and community partnerships, donor stewardship, special events, and fundraising campaigns. The Senior Director will be responsible for effective donor portfolio management, team effectiveness, and comprehensive annual planning. They are expected to collaborate with the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, the Director of Alumni Relations, the Director of Scholarships, and other key staff positions to advance fundraising and donor-centric activities. Performance for this role and the team will be measured, in part, by data-driven performance metrics, based off annual goals. They will work closely with the Vice President of Institutional Advancement/Executive Director the Foundation Board of Directors, board trustees, institutional leadership and others to advance the Foundation¿s fundraising and engagement objectives.

In addition to managing a personal portfolio of major donor prospects to cultivate towards gift solicitations, the Senior Director provides strategic oversight and support for donor portfolios maintained on behalf of the College President and the Vice President of Institutional Advancement/Executive Director. The Senior Director is also responsible for ensuring adherence to advancement best practices, helping to foster a culture of philanthropy, accountability, donor engagement, and fundraising excellence, both internally and externally.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule

Position Salary Range: $107,844/year - $156,374/year

The salary information shown above is a general guideline only. The salary will be determined based on candidates qualifications and related experience, as well as market and business considerations. Typically, new hire starts no higher than $119,976/year based on Bellevue College Exempt salary schedule.

We offer comprehensive compensation package with salary and benefits as the main components. Generous benefits package is offered through Washington State plans that includes multiple medical, dental, life and disability coverage choices for employees and dependents; choices of retirement and deferred compensation plans; paid holidays, sick, and vacation plans; transit program, reduced tuition, employee discounts and memberships, etc.

The employee is scheduled to work 40 hours per workweek. This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, which means that you are not eligible for overtime pay.

About The College

Bellevue College is a vibrant, student-centered institution located just 10 miles east of Seattle. Serving one of the most diverse student populations in Washington - we are proud to reflect the global community we serve.

As an employer, Bellevue College is committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered. We believe that our faculty and staff are essential partners in fulfilling our mission, and we prioritize professional growth, collaboration, and innovation in everything we do. Employees at Bellevue College benefit from opportunities to expand their skills, contribute to meaningful work that changes lives, and engage in a community that is deeply committed to inclusion.

We are dedicated to creating an environment where creativity and innovation thrive, and where the contributions of every employee help shape both the success of our students and the vitality of the region. At Bellevue College, you will find a community that supports your goals, values your voice, and celebrates your impact.

For more about Bellevue Colleges impact, visit Facts at a Glance.

About the Department

Institutional Advancement is the external facing division of Bellevue College which includes marketing, web editing, KBCS radio station, public relations, creative services and the Bellevue College Foundation. The Bellevue College Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Bellevue College and its students. Its mission is to foster educational excellence and student success by generating financial resources, building community partnerships, and facilitating access to quality education. The foundation provides scholarships, funds innovative programs, and supports faculty and staff development to enhance academic experience. It works closely with donors, alumni, businesses, and community members to create opportunities for students and to help them achieve their educational and career goals. Through its efforts, the Bellevue College Foundation plays a key role in empowering students and strengthening the community.

Essential Functions

Advancement Planning, Strategy, & Revenue Generation

• Drive sustainable philanthropic revenue growth and increased donor engagement.
• Develop, implement, and oversee a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with the College and Foundation¿s strategic priorities, expanding philanthropic investment, strengthening community partnerships, and advancing institutional goals.
• Establish and lead strategic priorities for major and principal gifts, annual giving, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, special events, and targeted fundraising campaigns.
• Manage fundraising performance metrics, dashboards, and reporting frameworks to evaluate organizational effectiveness.
• Cultivate productive working relationships with internal leadership and staff to inform strategic decision-making, provide regular updates to executive leadership and the Foundation Board trustees, committees and small working groups.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of donor stewardship, recognition and engagement programs, ensuring exceptional donor experiences and fostering long-term philanthropic relationships.
• Collaborate with the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications to develop compelling fundraising communications, case statements, impact reports, and donor-facing collateral, ensuring equity-based storytelling that advances philanthropic priorities and strengthens institutional visibility.

Fundraising Staff Management & Accountability

• Provide strategic leadership, coaching, and talent development for the Development team by coaching them in best practices and execution of comprehensive annual fundraising, which is aligned with the Foundation¿s strategic philanthropic priorities, campaign objectives, and long-term revenue objectives.
• Establish and oversee fundraising performance standards, leveraging data and key performance indicators to drive accountability, optimize fundraiser effectiveness, and achieve organizational revenue goals.

Oversee the implementation and consistent utilization of moves management practices with staff to ensure meaningful donor progression and a sustainable pipeline of philanthropic support.

• Help facilitate collaborations between the development team and executive leadership, and cross-functional stakeholders to foster an inclusive, mission-driven culture that values partnership, innovation, and employee engagement where staff feels valued, empowered, and connected.
• Help development staff manage the integrity of the donor database, digital filing systems, and event management platforms, ensuring data accuracy and compliance through established data governance practices, well-documented processes, and procedures that support operational sustainability and audit readiness.
• Perform supervisory functions including recruiting, selecting and retaining effective employees, providing training, defining work assignment and content, approving/denying leave requests, evaluating employee performance, establishing office expectations, resolving grievances and taking appropriate corrective or disciplinary action in consultation with HR.

Donor Portfolio Strategy & Management

• Lead enterprise-wide portfolio strategy and annual prospect assignments to maximize fundraising revenue.
• Establish annual fundraising revenue forecasts.
• Guide and oversee division fundraisers and leadership manage high-performing portfolios aligned with institutional fundraising goals and long-term growth objectives.
• Monitor pipeline progression, solicitation activity, and portfolio productivity, identifying opportunities to increase donor engagement, move prospects through the pipeline, and strengthen fundraising results.
• Research, guide, and oversee portfolios for senior leadership, partnering to develop and execute donor engagement and solicitation strategies.

Corporate, Foundation & Community Relations

• Work with the development team and other stakeholders to develop and execute a comprehensive institutional giving program that expands philanthropic revenue, strengthens institutional visibility, and advances the Foundation¿s fundraising priorities.
• Cultivate, secure, and steward high-value partnerships with corporations, private foundations, civic organizations, government entities, and community leaders to generate grant funding, sponsorship revenue, and long-term philanthropic investments.
• Serve as a senior external relations leader, building and leveraging relationships with key business, civic, and community stakeholders to enhance the Foundation¿s reputation, influence, and network of philanthropic support.

Collaborate with executive leadership and cross-functional partners to develop compelling funding strategies, sponsorship opportunities, and grant proposals that increase external investment and advance organizational goals.

Monitor trends in corporate philanthropy, foundation giving, public-private partnerships, and community investment to inform fundraising strategy, identify emerging opportunities, and strengthen the Foundation¿s competitive position.

Collaboration & Institutional Partnership

• Partner closely with the Executive Director to advance the Foundation¿s strategic priorities, comprehensive campaign initiatives, and Board engagement efforts, including the identification, recruitment, and cultivation of influential Board members and strategic philanthropic partners.
• Partner with senior institutional and Foundation leadership to identify and advance strategic opportunities that enhance philanthropic support, expand stakeholder engagement, and elevate the Foundation¿s visibility and impact within the community.
• Serve as a key liaison between the Foundation and the College, working in partnership with executive leadership, academic divisions, and campus stakeholders to identify funding opportunities, assess philanthropic priorities, and develop integrated advancement strategies that support institutional goals.
• Provide strategic leadership and support to the Foundation Board¿s Development Committee, while fostering strong collaboration and engagement with the Alumni and KBCS subcommittees to advance fundraising, advocacy, and community engagement objectives.

Other

• Oversee the management and integrity of the donor database, digital filing systems, and event management platforms, ensuring data accuracy, system integrity, and compliance through established data governance practices, well-documented processes and procedures that support operational sustainability and audit readiness.
• Other Duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree. Relevant education and/or experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressively responsible fundraising and advancement experience, including major gifts, corporate and foundation relations, development strategy, and donor stewardship.
• Demonstrated success securing and closing major gifts of $100,000+, with a proven track record of achieving fundraising goals and generating significant philanthropic revenue from individual, corporate, and foundation donors.
• Proven leadership experience managing, coaching, and developing fundraising professionals, including establishing performance metrics, fostering accountability, and driving results through collaborative team leadership.
• Experience in corporate and foundation relations, including partnership development, grant strategy, sponsorship acquisition, proposal development, stewardship, and long-term institutional relationship management.
• Knowledge of moves management, donor pipeline development, portfolio optimization, and prospect strategy, with the ability to analyze fundraising performance and implement strategies that increase donor engagement and revenue.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing comprehensive fundraising plans, including annual giving, major gifts, institutional giving, and campaign strategies with measurable goals and outcomes.
• Effective written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate organizational priorities and develop compelling proposals, cases for support, donor correspondence, and executive-level briefing materials.
• Advanced proficiency with donor databases and CRM systems, including portfolio management, donor analytics, reporting, forecasting, and data-informed decision-making.
• Experience working effectively with senior executives, board members, volunteers, donors, and community leaders, with the ability to build consensus and advance strategic initiatives across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Knowledge of fundraising leadership practices that support opportunity and participation among diverse staff, volunteers, donors, and stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master¿s degree in nonprofit leadership/management, public administration, business administration, communications, higher education, or a related field preferred.
• Experience leading or supporting comprehensive fundraising campaigns, including campaign planning, volunteer engagement, donor strategy development, and major gift solicitation.
• Demonstrated success managing principal gift, major gift, corporate, and foundation portfolios with responsibility for significant annual revenue goals.
• Knowledge of higher education fundraising, foundation operations, and nonprofit advancement best practices.
• Experience serving as a strategic partner to executive leadership and governing boards, providing fundraising counsel, revenue forecasting, and philanthropic strategy recommendations.
• Established relationships within regional business, philanthropic, foundation, and civic communities, with a demonstrated ability to leverage networks to advance organizational goals.
• CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) credential or other relevant fundraising certification preferred.

Conditions of Employment

Bellevue College intends to provide a drug-free, healthy, safe, and secure work and educational environment. Each employee is expected to report to work in an appropriate mental and physical condition to perform her/his/their assigned duties.

Bellevue College employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Sexual Misconduct and Background Check:

Prior to start of employment, finalists(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check as a condition of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment, but will be considered in determining the applicants suitability and competence to perform in the position.

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.

Check frequently in your inbox, spam, junk, clutter email folders for any communication regarding the next steps from Bellevue College and our background check partners.

Reference Check:

Reference checks may include, but are not limited to, contacting references and verification of work experience, and/or past job duties.

Other Information

• This position is NOT eligible for relocation allowance.
• This position is NOT eligible for sponsorship for employment-based visa.

How To Apply

Applications received by 10/22/2026 will be given full consideration. Applications received after that date may be considered until the position is filled.

All individuals interested in this position are encouraged to apply. Your application must include a complete online application and all of the required documents below to be considered complete. Any application that does not provide all requested information will not be considered for the position (only submit required documents with the application, additional documents will not be reviewed.) Please review Application Tips before applying. Current Bellevue College employees should apply the position through Employee Self Service.

Required application materials:

• Attach a Cover Letter (min 1 pg., max 2 pgs.)
• Attach a Resume
• Complete Job Questionnaires

Contact:

If you have questions with regards to the application or the hiring process, please contact Office of Human Resources at jobs@bellevuecollege.edu

EEO Statement

Bellevue College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, language, ethnicity, religion, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, including gender identity or expression, disability, or age in its programs and activities. Please see policy 4150 at www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/. The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator, 425-564-2641, Office C227, and EEOC/504 Compliance Officer, 425-564-2178, Office B126.

Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the recruitment process may contact hraccommodations@bellevuecollege.edu .