Associate Director, Development/Alumni Relations, School of Law
Location: First Hill · Type: Full time · Posted: 2026-08-13 ·
Reference: JR100198
Months Per Year:
12
Work Model:
Hybrid Work Eligible
Seattle University will be one of the most innovative and progressive Jesuit
and Catholic universities in the world, educating with excellence at the
undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. We embrace an intersectional
framework for defining diversity in its broadest sense, including differences
in gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, generational history, culture,
socioeconomic class, religion, sexual orientation, national origin,
citizenship status, political perspectives, geographic origin and physical
ability. Seattle University strives to be a welcome, open and safe campus
climate for all who learn, live and work at Seattle University.
Seattle University's Core Competencies
Effective Team Collaboration: Works harmoniously with others towards a
common goal, leveraging individual strengths to achieve shared objectives.
Emotionally Intelligent Communication: Engages in a skillful exchange of
information, thoughts, and feelings, verbally and non-verbally.
Ethics and Integrity: Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to honesty,
professionalism, and alignment with our Jesuit mission in all actions and
decisions.
Flexibility and Innovation: Embraces change, approaching problems with
curiosity adaptability, and is committed to making a positive impact.
Mindful Inclusion: Fosters mindful inclusion by consciously creating a
workplace that celebrates differences, embraces cultural humility, and
empowers uniqueness.
Outcomes-Driven Orientation: Sets clear objectives, pursues excellence,
and delivers measurable outcomes while upholding Jesuit Catholic values.
Position Description:
PURPOSE
The Associate Director of Development is responsible for identifying,
qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding alumni, donors, and
prospective donors in support of the Seattle University School of Law. The
Associate Director manages a portfolio spanning leadership annual giving and
major gift prospects, with an emphasis on building the donor pipeline,
increasing philanthropic support, and strategically transitioning donors
toward greater levels of engagement and investment. The successful candidate
will demonstrate strategic alignment, collaboration, and institutional
knowledge by building strong relationships across the School of Law and
Seattle University and connecting donor interests with institutional
priorities and the University's Jesuit Catholic mission.
DEVELOPMENT (90%):
Build, manage, and actively engage a portfolio of assigned prospects and
donors, developing individualized strategies that move donors from
qualification and cultivation through solicitation and stewardship.
Annually solicit a portfolio of 150+ assigned prospects, securing
leadership annual gifts generally in the $1,000–$25,000 range while
identifying and advancing donors with capacity and inclination for major
gifts.
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects in support
of School of Law and University priorities, in close collaboration with
the Assistant Dean, Dean, and University Advancement colleagues.
Maintain an active pipeline of prospective major gift donors, including a
Top 25 pool of prospects positioned for solicitation within the next 12–18
months.
Complete qualification and discovery visits beyond the assigned portfolio
to identify new philanthropic prospects and expand the School of Law donor
pipeline.
Develop and submit 12–25 major gift proposals annually and steward
prospects through the proposal and solicitation process in accordance with
University prospect management protocols.
Use a strategic mix of in-person and virtual meetings and multi-channel
communications—including email, video, social media, texting, and other
appropriate tools—to deepen donor engagement and increase philanthropic
support.
Establish annual fundraising, activity, and pipeline goals in consultation
with University Advancement leadership; develop annual work plans and
regularly assess and report progress toward established goals.
Promote philanthropic opportunities across the School of Law and
University, including academic and programmatic priorities, endowed funds,
scholarships, Seattle U Gives, leadership annual giving, matching
opportunities, and other strategic fundraising initiatives.
Partner with the Dean, Assistant Dean, faculty, academic leadership,
alumni, volunteers, and other key stakeholders to cultivate and solicit
individual and organizational donors, including law firms, bar
associations, corporations, and other partners.
Prepare and position the Dean, President, faculty, and other University
leaders for effective donor engagement through prospect strategy, briefing
materials, talking points, proposals, stewardship reports, and appropriate
follow-up.
Arrange and lead donor and prospect meetings and visits with university
leaders, faculty, alumni, industry partners, and other stakeholders as
appropriate.
Collaborate with the University Advancement Annual Giving team on School
of Law annual giving strategies, including Seattle U Gives, direct
response efforts, donor matching opportunities, volunteer engagement, and
campaign messaging.
Partner with Advancement Events & Stewardship and School of Law colleagues
to develop meaningful cultivation and stewardship opportunities, including
events, donor recognition, impact reporting, gift acknowledgements, and
other personalized engagement.
Support the planning and execution of donor and alumni events, including
development of invitation strategies and guest lists, program content,
leadership briefings, pre- and post-event engagement strategies, and
measures of fundraising and engagement effectiveness.
Ensure donors receive a positive and meaningful giving experience through
timely acknowledgement, appropriate recognition, personalized stewardship,
and communication about the impact of their philanthropy.
In collaboration with UA Donor Relations, coordinate annual donor impact
reporting for endowed, recurring, and other designated gifts and help
ensure gifts are appropriately documented, acknowledged, and directed to
the intended funds.
Recommend strategies for donor- and philanthropy-related content across
School of Law communications, including digital communications,
publications, donor stories, and other engagement channels.
Manage prospects in accordance with university prospect management and
clearance protocols, coordinating prospective donor activity across
University Advancement to maximize philanthropic opportunity and provide a
consistent donor experience.
Maintain timely and accurate records of donor and prospect interactions,
strategies, proposals, and activity in the University's advancement
database, including substantive engagement by the Dean, University
leadership, faculty, and volunteers.
Other Duties (10%)
Attend trainings and meetings for University Advancement.
Undertake additional special projects as directed.
Perform other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree and 3+ years' work experience in
fundraising/development, higher education, alumni or customer engagement,
non-profit program management, marketing/sales, or similar fields.
High level of cultural competency including an understanding and
sensitivity to issues of race, class, and the ethical dilemmas that may
arise from the development of strong reciprocal partnerships with alumni,
donors, friends of the university, students, and faculty and staff.
Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal skills, along with the ability
to work professionally with members of the external community and be
comfortable in situations that require public presentations in front of
large groups.
Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with diverse
audiences including university leadership, donors, students, faculty and
staff, and a diverse alumni population.
Strong computer skills, particularly working with Microsoft Word, Excel,
and Outlook.
Attention to accuracy and detail while accomplishing multiple tasks.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, communicate with sensitivity, and
follow university protocols.
Ability to manage a complex set of assignments through strong analytical,
planning, reporting, project management, and collaboration skills.
Preferred Qualifications :
We are looking for candidates who believe the power of diversity enriches
all of us by exposing us to a range of ways to understand and engage with
the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design, and deliver
solutions.
Familiarity with customer/donor relationship management software such as
Raiser's Edge, or willingness and ability to learn new software.
Familiarity with the legal profession and community.
Familiarity with planned giving.
University Advancement is committed to developing an equitable and inclusive
culture that fosters a sense of belonging for all .
Application Instructions
Please attach a cover letter with your resume when applying. Job postings are
open until filled, unless otherwise specified.
Compensation at a Glance
$72,000 - $82,000
Seattle University has provided a compensation range that represents its good
faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of
posting. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based
on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental
budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available
market information, and not based on a candidate's gender or any other
protected status.
Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. Seattle
University provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions
that add to your total compensation package.
Benefits at a Glance
Consistent with its fundamental Jesuit values, Seattle University offers a
wide range of benefits designed to care for the whole person. Choose from
three different medical plans, a dental, and vision insurance programs.
Protect your income with life, short & long-term disability coverage. Plan for
your future with up to a 10% employer contribution for retirement benefits,
comprised of a 5% nonelective employer contribution and an additional dollar-
for-dollar match of your voluntary contributions up to a maximum of 5%. You
may also take advantage of 100% paid tuition benefits for the employee and
dependents, a subsidized transportation benefit, a wellness program with free
access to an onsite fitness facility, and a wide variety of campus events.
Enjoy a generous holiday schedule, including a paid Holiday break closure in
December, vacation and paid sick leave, and paid community service leave. For
more information explore the Benefits website at:
https: // www. seattleu.edu/hr/benefits/
Positions designated as hybrid eligible may offer the opportunity for a
hybrid work schedule after successful completion of an introductory period of
3–6 months. In these cases, the role typically begins fully on campus to
support onboarding and training, with the potential to transition to a hybrid
arrangement thereafter.
Positions designated as on-site are not eligible for hybrid work and are
expected to remain fully on campus.
All flexible work arrangements are subject to periodic review and may be
modified or discontinued at any time at the university's discretion.
