Director of the Annual Fund

Job Description

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Washington Athletics has an outstanding opportunity for a Director of the Annual Fund to join their team.

Washington Athletics aims to inspire champions in competition and in the classroom. We exist to enrich the lives of students to positively impact our community and world for generations to come. Operating with the four core values of growth mindset, committed service, humility and grit, the Huskies choose to lead by example. All Husky Athletics staff make an IMPACT by committing to creating a purpose driven culture that impacts students and our greater community. We engage in GROWTH through dynamic conversations, embracing creativity, and recognizing that every challenge represents an opportunity to learn. We are a COMMUNITY who strive to create experiences for our stakeholders every single day. At our core is the belief that INCLUSION means creating spaces and places that reflect equity, advocacy and belonging for all.

With over 650 student-athletes participating in UW's 22 sports programs, the department of Intercollegiate Athletics is committed to providing student-athletes with the ability to compete for national and conference championships while working toward a degree from one of the world's leading public research universities.

For more detailed information, please visit our Washington Athletics Candidate Dashboard.

The Director of the Annual Fund reports to the Associate Athletic Director for Advancement. As a key member of the Annual Giving team, the Director consistently offers high levels of customer service and stewardship to Tyee Club members while continually expanding the donor base and increasing annual funds for Husky Athletics. This position interacts daily with donors and prospective donors to connect them to Husky Athletics and offer them exciting intercollegiate experiences. 

The Director will provide strategic leadership and cross-functional collaboration across the Tyee Club team, with a particular focus on advancing digital communications and engagement strategies. This role will be responsible for strengthening the Tyee Club’s internal, external, and social media communications to deepen connections with donors, fans, and the broader Husky community. Leveraging analytics, reporting, and data operations, the Director will inform key revenue-generating strategies and measure the effectiveness of engagement initiatives. Additionally, the Director will directly supervise the Tyee Program Coordinator for Advancement (currently vacant) and provide oversight and development support for the Tyee Graduate Assistant program, fostering a high-performing team aligned with Advancement goals.

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Job Description

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Washington Athletics has an outstanding opportunity for a Director of the Annual Fund to join their team.

Washington Athletics aims to inspire champions in competition and in the classroom. We exist to enrich the lives of students to positively impact our community and world for generations to come. Operating with the four core values of growth mindset, committed service, humility and grit, the Huskies choose to lead by example. All Husky Athletics staff make an IMPACT by committing to creating a purpose driven culture that impacts students and our greater community. We engage in GROWTH through dynamic conversations, embracing creativity, and recognizing that every challenge represents an opportunity to learn. We are a COMMUNITY who strive to create experiences for our stakeholders every single day. At our core is the belief that INCLUSION means creating spaces and places that reflect equity, advocacy and belonging for all.

With over 650 student-athletes participating in UW's 22 sports programs, the department of Intercollegiate Athletics is committed to providing student-athletes with the ability to compete for national and conference championships while working toward a degree from one of the world's leading public research universities.

For more detailed information, please visit our Washington Athletics Candidate Dashboard.

The Director of the Annual Fund reports to the Associate Athletic Director for Advancement. As a key member of the Annual Giving team, the Director consistently offers high levels of customer service and stewardship to Tyee Club members while continually expanding the donor base and increasing annual funds for Husky Athletics. This position interacts daily with donors and prospective donors to connect them to Husky Athletics and offer them exciting intercollegiate experiences. 

The Director will provide strategic leadership and cross-functional collaboration across the Tyee Club team, with a particular focus on advancing digital communications and engagement strategies. This role will be responsible for strengthening the Tyee Club’s internal, external, and social media communications to deepen connections with donors, fans, and the broader Husky community. Leveraging analytics, reporting, and data operations, the Director will inform key revenue-generating strategies and measure the effectiveness of engagement initiatives. Additionally, the Director will directly supervise the Tyee Program Coordinator for Advancement (currently vacant) and provide oversight and development support for the Tyee Graduate Assistant program, fostering a high-performing team aligned with Advancement goals.

Annual Giving Initiatives

• Manage the execution, and analysis of annual fundraising campaigns across all areas of philanthropic support, with a focus on expanding both seat-related and non-seat-related donor pipelines. Utilize data-driven approaches and donor segmentation strategies to maximize engagement and revenue outcomes
• Oversee the planning and implementation of key annual initiatives supporting the Go BIG! for Washington campaign, with direct accountability for achieving the $5 million annual fundraising target for the Tyee discretionary fund (Go BIG! Fund). Develop integrated marketing and stewardship strategies to drive participation and donor retention.
• In partnership with senior leadership, direct fundraising innovation efforts, including strategy development for crowdfunding initiatives, fostering alignment with central University Advancement teams, and identifying new opportunities for engagement and donor acquisition across all giving levels.
• Lead operational planning and execution of seat-related contribution renewal and allocation projects for football and basketball programs. This includes managing the multi-year reallocation processes for Husky Stadium and Alaska Airlines Arena, ensuring fairness, transparency, and donor satisfaction
• Serve as a key partner to Athletics leadership in developing and executing the annual fundraising and solicitation calendar, aligning with institutional priorities and donor engagement trends. Provide strategic insight to optimize timing, messaging, and outreach across campaigns.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Director of Athletic Fund Development to advance Team Support goals, ensuring alignment with broader annual fund strategies. Guide and support the execution of donor communications, stewardship efforts, and fundraising events in accordance with the established Annual Fund correspondence calendar

Donor and Volunteer Engagement

• Provide direct contact for donors on a day-to-day basis, offering excellent customer service, resolving problems, and educating supporters on Tyee Club policies and the priority point system.
• Maintain a staff-assigned segment of Tyee Club donors to provide specialized one-on-one stewardship, prospecting, and excellent customer service.
• Strategize with the Associate Athletic Director for Advancement to retain and expand the football and basketball donor bases. In conjunction with the Husky Ticket Office, the Director will assist in managing all activities related to seat-related giving.
• Serve as the primary liaison for Luxury Suite holders at Husky Stadium, collaborating closely with the Premium Sales Lead, Annual Giving, and Stewardship & Events teams to design and deliver a seamless, high-touch game day experience. Lead the coordination and execution of premium hospitality services, ensuring alignment with donor expectations, brand standards, and strategic engagement goals for high-net-worth individuals. Perform the critical function of managing all parking pass allocation for football, men’s, and women's basketball. As the primary representative for the Tyee Club, the Director will lead this multi-departmental effort, overseeing representatives from the Ticket Office (HTO) through this process. The Director will help preserve the legitimacy of the Tyee priority point system by adhering to all previously established policies and procedures, ensuring the highest level of customer service is maintained.
• Manage the waitlists and distribution of away game and postseason tickets for football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball.
• As assigned, work with other internal and external volunteer and/or donor groups under the Tyee Club umbrella, which may include groups such as the Tyee Advisory Board, Tyee Sports Council, Young Tyee Club, and the Tyee Club graduate assistant staff. Although explicitly responsible for the management of the Tyee Sports Council, the Director will also be expected to represent the Tyee Club at periodic Tyee Advisory Board meetings and various donor functions to advance the mission of Husky Athletics.

Management

• Provide strategic leadership and direct supervision to the Tyee Program Coordinator for Advancement, setting clear goals, fostering accountability, and supporting ongoing professional growth aligned with unit priorities. Oversee the operational management and development of Tyee Club Graduate Assistants, ensuring their contributions align with departmental goals while offering meaningful, hands-on experience that supports their career trajectories.
• In partnership with the Associate Athletic Director for Advancement, champion a high-performance culture rooted in continuous learning and professional development, implementing initiatives that promote staff engagement, retention, and leadership readiness. Responsible for conducting structured 1:1 meetings with direct reports and deliver comprehensive annual performance reviews.
• Oversight of the Tyee Sport Council (TSC) will be spearheaded by the Director. As one of the three Tyee Club volunteer boards, the Tyee Sports Council serves the core function of cultivating engagement and philanthropic support from young professionals within the UW network. The Director will be tasked with hosting quarterly meetings with the TSC and achieving agreed-upon strategic benchmarks for growth, formulated with the Associate Athletic Director for Advancement.

Digital Communication  and Analytics

• Use knowledge and skills to operate daily in various donor databases.  Examples of  programs used regularly include Paciolan (Ticketing) and CRM systems.
• Partner with the UW Foundation and the Husky Ticket Office to help maintain consistent information flow and accurate data between their respective databases, Paciolan and Tandem.
• Prepare quantitative and qualitative gift analysis reports for Senior Leadership and Team Tyee, tracking progress and goals to ensure alignment with established objectives.
• Using these findings, work collaboratively within the Annual Fund Team to help devise giving strategies and drive revenue.
• Support the Annual Fund Team in developing and executing social media efforts to enhance awareness of the Tyee Club, overall donor stewardship and fundraising efforts, including collaboration with external relations teams within the department and across campus.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Director of Creative Production to prepare and lead monthly marketing and communications (MarComm) meetings. 
• Assist in monitoring the Tyee Club website, occasionally creating content and interactive communications.

General

• Work closely with other departments within Husky Athletics, including the Husky Ticket Office, Outside Sales Team, Marketing, Media Relations, Facilities, and Special Events, to enhance donor contributions and seat sales.
• Perform related duties as required.

Compliance with the rules and regulations of the University, the NCAA, the Conference, the State of Washington and any other governing body is of paramount importance to the University. The overall responsibility of this position is for the successful operation of the program in full compliance with all such rules and regulations. As a condition of employment, the Employee shall be required to participate in rules education programs offered by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree and three years of experience in institutional development, communications, other development experience, or a strong marketing/sales experience.

Equivalent combination of comparable knowledge and skills may substitute for education and/or experience. 

Additional Requirements

Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

Desired Requirements

• Master’s degree, and at least one year of management experience, overseeing at minimum one direct report.  Knowledge of Paciolan or PacFund. 
• Experience with digital communication and social media.
• Experience working within a collegiate athletics environment, knowledge of the University of Washington Athletics, and/or the Puget Sound region are desirable.

Conditions of Employment:

• Ability to work evening and weekend hours, as necessary, on short or limited notice.
• Must have regular and reliable transportation for local travel and willing to travel when necessary.
• Frequent local travel expected.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$82,128.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$86,136.00 annual

Other Compensation:

• Taxable benefits include tickets to UW Intercollegiate home competitions. - Non-local candidates may be eligible for a moving allowance.

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%

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 proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. 

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. 

Apply Now

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