Director of Annual Giving

Director of Annual Giving

University of Puget Sound – Tacoma, WA. Full‑time, regular position with hybrid eligibility (minimum 3 days on‑site after a successful evaluation period).

Position Summary: University of Puget Sound seeks an experienced professional to lead and grow programs responsible for raising $2 M+ annually in unrestricted giving. As a key leader in the University Relations division and the Constituent Relations cohort (Annual Giving, Alumni & Parent Relations, Prospect & Information Management), the Director of Annual Giving is a champion for Puget Sound’s culture of philanthropy across 50,000+ alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff, and students.

The role reports to the Associate Vice President for Constituent Relations and supervises a forward‑facing team of three professional staff and student staff.

The director operates at both strategic and hands‑on levels, aligning work with industry best practices, university strategic goals, and the centralized fundraising model. Responsibilities include meeting each annual Puget Sound Fund goal, developing and managing a comprehensive multi‑channel fundraising program, tracking performance, managing budgets, and supporting restricted fundraising initiatives as appropriate. The director collaborates with colleagues across the division, Office of Marketing & Communications, Capital & Planned Giving, Donor Relations, and faculty and staff.

• Meet all Puget Sound Fund goals, including dollars raised and participation targets for key constituencies; within and beyond the university’s Greater, We Ascend comprehensive campaign.
• Champion a culture of philanthropy within Puget Sound’s internal and external communities, educating on and incorporating messages of engagement, philanthropy, and stewardship across all activities and efforts.
• Lead solicitation of the university’s top potential Puget Sound Fund donors and increase the number of donors and gift receipts to the President’s Leadership Society, collaborating with Capital & Planned Giving, Prospect & Information Management, and the Leadership Gift Officer.
• Ensure annual giving contact officer(s) achieve annual personal visit and solicitation goals, managing a portfolio that includes prospective annual donors of $1,000 to $50,000+.
• Develop and execute the overarching mass, omni‑channel solicitation strategy and all individual solicitation activities for the Puget Sound Fund.
• Manage and direct all aspects of the Office of Annual Giving’s constituent volunteer networks, guiding staff to mobilize volunteers and expand impact.
• Create, manage, direct, and supervise the university’s strategy for giving during reunion celebrations.
• Strategize, direct, and oversee all efforts for Logger Day Challenge, the university’s premier giving day, and other giving events as appropriate.
• Supervise programs managed by annual giving staff, including the Student Philanthropy Center, student philanthropy and/or senior class gift, donor societies such as the President’s Leadership Society, and targeted restricted expendable fundraising initiatives.
• Serve as a leading thought partner for university relations communications in conjunction with the Office of University Relations.
• Collaborate with Donor Relations on stewardship of annual gifts and ensure recognition for members of the President’s Leadership Society, reunion donors, consecutive donors, and first‑time donors.
• Build a suite of analytical reports and guides using the division’s Raiser's Edge NXT.
• Complete other duties as assigned by the Associate Vice President for Constituent Relations or Vice President for University Relations.

This position supervises one assistant director, one leadership gift officer, and one officer manager.

Overall budget management authority for 5047/Annual Giving and 5048/Phonathon.

• Three or more years in overseeing a fundraising program.
• Understanding of the nuanced, dynamic nature of an annual fundraising environment with commitment to industry‑wide best practices.
• Proven record of successful face‑to‑face gift solicitation.
• Track record…