Director/Sr. Director of Development & Events

The Director/Sr. Director of Development and Events at Washington Policy Center (WPC) plays a pivotal role in advancing our mission by strategically managing fundraising efforts, major gifts, and event planning. Reporting to the President/Chief Revenue Officer, we seek an experienced fundraising professional with a track record in securing major donations, corporate partnerships, and/or planned gifts. The ideal candidate will lead a dynamic team, foster mutually rewarding long-term donor relationships, and help drive successful fundraising campaigns with purpose and urgency.   

 
Responsibilities: 

• Major Gifts and Planned Giving: 
  • Cultivate and steward active, enriching relationships with major prospects and donors, corporations, and foundations. 
  • Develop and execute strategies for planned giving, including bequests, trusts, and annuities. 
  • Collaborate with the Development Manager to maximize annual giving efforts. This includes strategies to grow WPC’s Pillar Society, a loyal cohort of contributors at the $5,000+ level who make three-year commitments to provide vital operating dollars. 
• Event Planning and Execution: 
  • Oversee all aspects of event planning, including logistics, budgeting, and execution. 
  • Coordinate high-profile events, conferences, and galas to engage donors and raise funds. 
  • Ensure seamless event experiences for attendees and donors. 
  • Recruit and manage volunteers as needed to support event program objectives.  
• Team Leadership and Collaboration: 
  • Ability to align fundraising efforts with organizational goals. 
  • Supervise the Development Manager for Annual Giving and Development Services Staff. 
    
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Communications, Research, and Executive Leadership. 
• Industry Metrics and Best Practices: 
  • Stay informed about fundraising trends, industry benchmarks, and donor engagement strategies. 
  • In collaboration with the Chief Revenue Officer, set measurable individual and team goals and evaluate performance against key performance indicators (KPIs). This could include ratio of core portfolio with a strategy, substantive contact reports, total gifts/dollars in pipeline, total raised, etc. 
    
    

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., nonprofit management, business, communications). 
• Minimum of 5 years of successful fundraising experience that demonstrates excellence in moving with donors from identification and engagement through solicitation and realization of mutually rewarding philanthropic investments. 
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills. 
• Ability to build and maintain strong, sustained external and internal relationships. 
• Proficiency in fundraising CRMs/databases and event management software. 
  
  

Preferred Qualifications: 

• 10+ years of fundraising success that includes broad-based annual campaigns, portfolio management and engagements of individuals and institutions, and development of compelling, relevant cases for support. 
• Fundraising certification, such as CFRE, or professional memberships that demonstrate a long-term commitment to the field. 
• Familiarity with current planned giving vehicles and success in attaining estate commitments from senior stakeholders.  
• Success in securing sponsorships and/or grants from both public and private organizations.  
• 2+ years of leading people through the motivation and management of engaged teams that embody the institution’s values and buy into its mission.  
• Demonstrated strategic planning and execution for development success. 
• Experience in comprehensive, multiyear fundraising campaigns that reach/exceed their resource goals while elevating awareness and reputation.   
• Track record of partnering with researchers to articulate and illustrate real-world impact that changes lives and creates brighter futures.  
  
  

This role is based in WPC’s Seattle office, though the nature of our work supports a hybrid approach of 1-2 remote days/week if desired. 

If you are a strategic thinker, passionate about advancing free-market solutions that enhance lives and empower communities throughout Washington, and thrive in a dynamic environment, we encourage you to apply for this impactful leadership role at Washington Policy Center. 

Details/Benefits:  

• Preferred start date: Spring 2024 
• Hours: Full-time, 8:30am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday, plus evenings/weekends for events  
  
• Health Insurance: 90% employer-paid health insurance (medical/dental/vision) for employees and 80% for dependents 
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – for pre-tax medical and dependent care expenses after six months 
• 401(k) retirement with company match  
• Vacation: 2 weeks paid, 11 paid holidays/year  
• Sick/Safe Leave: 2 weeks/year  

Equal employment opportunity is a fundamental principle at Washington Policy Center. We are committed to a work environment in which relationships are characterized by dignity, courtesy, and respect. We are committed to nondiscrimination in all business operations. Every position requires certain physical capabilities. WPC seeks to make reasonable accommodations that enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties when possible.

The preceding is not intended to describe in detail the multitude of tasks that may be assigned, but rather to provide a general overview of the expectations and responsibilities of this position. As the nature of business demands change, so may the functions of this position. Additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned.