Assistant Dean Development & External Relations; Chief Advancement Officer

For over 160 years, the University of Washington has been a hub for learning, innovation, problem solving and community building. Supporting this legacy and important public mission — with the goal of making the UW the world’s greatest public university, as measured by positive impact — guides everything we do in University Advancement (https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).).

The Evans School of Public Policy & Governance is ranked #8 in the nation and #2 among public universities. Its purpose is to inspire public service and democratize public policy by advancing a mission of educating leaders, generating knowledge and hosting communities to co-create solutions to pressing societal problems. This starts with creating a culture of belonging within our organization that values the diverse experiences and expertise of our team members, allowing everyone to thrive and to contribute their unique talents as we strive to achieve our shared goals.

Full-time, permanent position.

The Assistant Dean for Development & External Relations provides strategic leadership to advance the Evans School’s purpose and mission in ways that embody the School’s core values of equity, courage, and service. The primary responsibility of this role is to maximize meaningful fundraising, stakeholder engagement, communications and strategic opportunities in ways that further enhance the Evan School’s impact. Working in close partnership with the Dean and senior leadership, the Assistant Dean provides strategic oversight of advancement functions, including philanthropic development, marketing and communications, and external relations, to foster meaningful, lifelong engagement between the School and its donors, alumni and community members.

The Assistant Dean supervises the Director of Development and the Director of Marketing & Communications and leads engagement with key constituencies, including alumni, donors, volunteers, philanthropic and civic leaders, and internal University stakeholders, in alignment with the School’s priorities.

• Provide strategic oversight of the School’s comprehensive advancement program, including annual, major and planned giving; corporate and foundation relations; stewardship and donor recognition; alumni relations and programming; and School-wide marketing, communications and external relations.
• Collaborate with central University Advancement and campus partners to secure private support and advance the School’s priorities.
• In partnership with the Dean and Evans Policy Innovation Collaborative (EPIC) leadership, cultivate and strengthen relationships with philanthropic, nonprofit, public and business partners to promote the School’s role as a hub for public impact research and solutions.
• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the School’s leadership team, ensuring advancement efforts are aligned with both the UW and Evans School’s mission and priorities.
• Collaborate with cross-campus development peers to share best practices and advance coordinated, effective fundraising strategies.

• Lead and support the development team’s qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of gifts.
• Manage a portfolio of leadership-level prospects and donors in alignment with established fundraising metrics.
• Develop and execute strategies to grow and diversify the School’s donor base, with particular emphasis on major gifts and annual private-giving goals.
• Build and steward relationships with key donors, prospects, volunteers and business and community leaders to advance shared priorities and philanthropic investment.
• Grow and strengthen fundraising programs, including the annual fund, planned giving and signature events, to sustain and expand donor engagement.
• Lead School-wide efforts to cultivate and manage strategic institutional partnerships that advance philanthropy and engagement, including research, education and community collaboration.

• Partner with the Dean and senior leadership to set annual advancement goals, priorities and strategies.
• A…