Assistant Dean ; Chief Advancement Officer

Job Description

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. Bringing together development; alumni and stakeholder engagement; marketing and communications; and advancement operations, we advance the UW’s impact by developing meaningful connections that foster pride, advocacy and philanthropic support.

The mission of the Development team is to facilitate private resources to enhance and protect the University’s reputation and support equitable community building and service. 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.

The Assistant Dean for Advancement (Chief Advancement Officer) leads and directs the School of Pharmacy's advancement program, providing programs and services that advance the School's mission and support the Dean's strategic goals. Serving as a strategic advisor and partner to the Dean, the Assistant Dean oversees the School's fundraising, stakeholder engagement, and marketing and communications strategies. In partnership with the Dean and other school leaders, this role helps advance strategic priorities through deep collaboration across the School's diverse departments, centers, and interdisciplinary programs.

Working closely with their team, the Assistant Dean develops, implements, and evaluates communications, activities, initiatives, and programs that inspire philanthropic support, enhance the School's visibility and reputation, strengthen corporate and foundation partnerships, increase individual giving, and deepen alumni engagement. The Assistant Dean reports jointly to the Dean of the School of Pharmacy and the Assistant Vice President for Health Sciences Advancement.

Strategic Leadership and Team Management (40%)

• Lead and oversee all aspects of the school’s advancement program, including annual, major, and planned giving; corporate and foundation relations; donor stewardship and recognition; alumni engagement; communications and publications; and external relations, with a focus on growing philanthropic support.
• Provide strategic leadership for advancement-related marketing, communications, and internal engagement initiatives that advance the school’s goals and priorities.
• Develop and manage the Advancement unit budget; monitor financial performance; and prepare regular reports on advancement results, trends, and philanthropic activity for school and University leadership.
• Lead, manage, and develop a high-performing Advancement team, providing supervision, coaching, performance management, and professional development.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Dean and an active member of the School's Executive Council and the University Advancement Development Leadership Team, contributing to strategic planning, institutional decision-making, fundraising priorities, and advancement initiatives that support both School and University goals.

Frontline Fundraising (45%)

• Manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, developing and executing individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies; prepare proposals, agreements, and related materials; and actively utilize the University’s prospect management systems.
• Lead the…