Assistant Athletic Director, Development

Help Build the Future of Cougar Athletics

Washington State University Athletics is seeking an accomplished and relationship-driven fundraising professional to join the Cougar Athletic Fund as a Director of Development 4 or 5.

This is an opportunity to play a meaningful role in advancing the future of Cougar Athletics by building relationships with alumni, donors, families, friends, and community partners and connecting their philanthropic interests with the priorities of Washington State University Athletics.

The successful candidate will be a strategic relationship builder, confident fundraiser, and compelling storyteller who can inspire philanthropic support and develop long-term partnerships that create meaningful impact for WSU student-athletes and the Cougar community.

The position will lead a portfolio of fundraising activity that may include major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, donor cultivation and stewardship, proposal development, and fundraising events and initiatives. Extensive travel throughout Washington State, the Pacific Northwest, and other locations is expected.

Impact & Fundraising Expectations

The level of appointment will be based on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and demonstrated fundraising success.

Director of Development 4

• Secure 12–16 major gifts or pledges annually.

• Initiate a minimum of 20 solicitations annually.

• Achieve a minimum annual fundraising goal of $1 million.

• Build and steward meaningful relationships with prospective and current donors.

• Develop and execute fundraising strategies aligned with Cougar Athletic Fund priorities.

Director of Development 5

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 75–100 donors.

• Secure 12–16 major gifts or pledges annually.

• Initiate a minimum of 20 solicitations annually.

• Achieve a minimum annual fundraising goal of $2 million.

• Close at least one-third of major gifts at $250,000 or more.

• Serve as a senior fundraising partner in advancing strategic philanthropic priorities for Cougar Athletics.

What You’ll Do

• Cultivate, solicit, secure, and steward philanthropic support from alumni, donors, families, friends, and community partners.

• Build authentic, long-term relationships and develop individualized strategies to move prospects through the fundraising cycle.

• Identify and develop major gift opportunities aligned with donor interests and Athletics priorities.

• Prepare compelling proposals, presentations, and other materials that communicate the impact of philanthropic support.

• Partner with Athletics leadership, coaches, staff, campus partners, and the Cougar Athletic Fund team to advance fundraising priorities.

• Plan and execute donor engagement, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities and events.

• Maintain accurate and timely portfolio and prospect information within applicable donor databases.

• Represent WSU Athletics and the Cougar Athletic Fund at events and throughout the community.

• Travel extensively and participate in evening and weekend activities as needed.

Required Qualifications:

Director of Development 4

• Bachelor’s degree and five years of progressively responsible relevant experience, including at least three years of full-time fundraising experience, or comparable experience.

• Demonstrated success in proposal development and solicitation of gifts of $50,000 or more.

• Proven ability to cultivate, develop, solicit, and steward donor relationships.

• Strong interpersonal, communication, project management, and organizational skills.

• Ability to develop and execute fundraising initiatives from concept through completion.

• Knowledge of fundraising principles, proposal development, and donor engagement.

• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one.

Director of Development 5

• Bachelor’s degree and six years of progressively responsible relevant experience, including at least four years of full-time fundraising experience, or comparable experience.

• Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising and proposal development.

• Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward high-level donor relationships.

• Strong interpersonal, communication, project management, and organizational skills.

• Ability to articulate Athletics and/or higher education philanthropic priorities in a compelling manner.

• Demonstrated success managing a significant donor portfolio and advancing major gift opportunities.

• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one.

A related master’s degree may substitute for up to one year of required experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Director of Development 4

• Experience closing major gifts of $100,000 or more.

• Experience managing fundraising initiatives from conception through completion.

• Experience engaging faculty or subject-matter experts and translating complex information into compelling donor-focused messages.

• Experience with alumni and donor database systems.

Director of Development 5

• Experience closing major gifts of $250,000 or more.

• Demonstrated success managing a major gift portfolio.

• Experience articulating athletics and/or higher education philanthropic priorities to prospective donors.

• Experience with alumni, donor, and/or ticketing database systems.

• Advanced degree.

Why Join Cougar Athletics?

This role offers the opportunity to make a direct impact on the future of Washington State University Athletics and the student-athlete experience. The Director of Development will be part of a collaborative team working to strengthen philanthropic relationships and expand the resources available to support Cougar Athletics.

For a fundraising professional who thrives on relationships, enjoys connecting people to purpose, and is motivated by measurable impact, this is an opportunity to help shape the next chapter of the Cougar Athletic Fund.

Monthly Salary: commensurate with experience and qualifications

Director of Development 4:
Pullman: $6,012.09 - $8,750
Seattle: $6,493.05 - $9,697.96

Director of Development 5:
Pullman: $6,733.54 - $9,666.67
Seattle: $7,272.22 - $10,848.94

Individual salary placement will be determined based on the candidate’s experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position, in accordance with RCW 49.58.110.

WSU Benefits

Washington State University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and supplemental retirement options, professional development opportunities, and employee tuition benefits.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit:

1. Resume

2. Cover letter

Application materials should clearly demonstrate how the candidate’s experience and accomplishments align with the position’s qualifications and fundraising expectations.

Additional Information

• Evening and weekend work is required.

• Extensive travel is required.

• Background check required.

• This position is not eligible for work visa sponsorship.

• Department: Cougar Athletic Fund

• Location: Pullman or Seattle, WA