Director of Development

What We Need  

The World Affairs Council is seeking an experienced, people-centered strategic development professional to serve as the Director of Development. This is a new position and a unique opportunity to build capacity in this well-established and respected organization that works to advance global understanding and cultivate enduring relationships within our local community and with the world.  

The Development Director will report to and work closely with the President and CEO and will be supported in their efforts by an engaged Board of Directors and a mission-driven staff to help grow the financial foundation of the organization to expand the influence and impact of the World Affairs Council in greater Seattle.  

Who We Are  

We envision an inclusive and informed community that is inspired to create a just and equitable world. We work toward this vision by advancing global understanding and cultivating enduring relationships within our local community and with the world, one conversation at a time.  

It has never been more important to understand the world around us. To navigate every aspect of our lives; to build strong, prosperous communities; and to prepare our children to be the next generation of leaders, we need to be globally aware, engaged, and connected. Since its founding in 1951, the Council has sustained a local community of informed global citizens. By bringing the world to Seattle, our programs make global citizenship accessible to everyone. 

What You’ll Bring  

Duties and Responsibilities  

The Development Director will develop and execute strategic, diversified development plans to raise funds through organizational memberships and sponsorships, individual memberships, individual giving, and events for donor cultivation and stewardship. The Development Director will leverage existing relationships and lead new independent outreach via targeted prospecting, community engagement, event attendance, and other activities as needed to build a robust pipeline of potential funders.  

The Board’s initial fundraising expectations are modest to give the Development Director the time and space to familiarize themselves with the organization, current donors, and internalize the mission before launching a fundraising strategy to realize new revenue and expand our reach and relevance.  

Skills and Core Competencies  

• Strategic management and inspirational leadership  
• In partnership with the Board and the President and CEO, develop and implement a strategic and diversified fundraising plan that assures ongoing donor engagement and brings new organizational and individual donors.  
• Promote a culture of philanthropy amongst staff, board, and donors.  
• Lead strategy review of membership value proposition and the branding of membership moving forward.  
• Frame and execute a community strategy that involves tracking the diverse relationships and key contacts that connect with the Council’s work, including community resources, volunteers, and past and present leadership.  
• Represent the Council and articulate a compelling value proposition to relevant stakeholders. 

Board Management  

• Leverage the Board to help meet critical financial goals for the organization
• Serve as staff liaison with the Board’s new Development Committee.
• Work with the President/CEO to engage board members in development activities. 

Fundraising and Donor Relations  

• Develop strategies and programs that recruit, cultivate, solicit, and steward donor giving. Develop and manage special campaigns and planned gifts. Implement strategies to increase the number of donors giving at all levels and grow donor giving year-over-year through engagement and cultivation. 
• Prepare and write or oversee the writing of personalized proposals, reports, letters, emails, notes, and other documents, as needed. Provide industry knowledge, monitor industry trends, and implement best practices. 
• Ensure processes are in place and followed so that all financial support to the Council is receipted, appropriately acknowledged, and reported on in an accurate and timely manner. 
• Manage and support the development responsibilities of the President and CEO, which includes focusing and prioritizing the CEO’s development-related time and duties, scheduling meetings with donors, partnering on meetings with donors, and more. 
• May include some grant writing and /or supervision of grant-writing contractors.
• Represent the World Affairs Council at external events and attend our Community Programs and other events where our stakeholders and supporters are.  

What We’re Looking For 

• Experienced Professional: Experience demonstrating progressive responsibility and a proven track record of soliciting, closing, and stewarding gifts with major donors, corporations, and foundations. You have built and successfully executed a fundraising strategy, met fundraising goals, and excelled in relationship-based fundraising.
• Diversity Mindset: Recognition that diverse perspectives and experiences create better outcomes for everyone involved. 
• Collaborative and Relationship Steward: You build and maintain collaborative and mutually beneficial relationships with staff, community partners, funders, board members, and program participants.  
• Strategic Mindedness: You take a strategic approach and long-term perspective to goals, challenges, and projects.  
• Global: You have demonstrated interest in international issues and current events.
• Resiliency: You know not all cultivations and asks will succeed and keep going despite—and learn from—the case for support not landing successfully.  
• Initiative and Self-Management: You take independent action for planning, leading, and implementing your work within a distributed leadership structure.  
• Growth and Grace: You remain adaptable and flexible amid change and extend grace for colleagues and yourself.  
• Builder: You can see what’s possible – and then guide its creation.  
• Communication: You are a direct and clear communicator who holds space for reflection and listening.  
• Motivated: The mission matters.  

What you might be looking for  

• Colleagues: A small staff that is focused on the mission and on creating a supportive place to work. 
• Support: You’ll work most closely with the President/CEO, Community Relations Officer, and Programs and Communications Officer, but everyone on the team will be committed to your success. 
• Perks: Medical, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; short- and long-term disability coverage; and generous paid time off, including volunteer time off and floating holidays so you can celebrate what’s important to you.  
• Trust: We’re not into micromanaging. You have autonomy to manage your time, programs, and working relationships with external partners.  
• Opportunities: You’ll have a supportive environment to build something that will help shape the future of the World Affairs Council.  
• Recognition: We will celebrate your successes and respect your contributions and value to the organization.  
• Flexibility: We’ve embraced a hybrid work schedule. 
• Leadership: You’ll be part of the senior leadership team. 

Inclusiveness  

We bring the world to Seattle; we want you to bring your world to work with us. The World Affairs Council is committed to building a more inclusive organization, one that not only celebrates the diversity of the global cultures and traditions of our staff, board, members, international visitors, and the community, but also acknowledges the histories, lived experiences, and systems that impact the people and communities we serve, past and present.  

The World Affairs Council is an equal opportunity employer; we do not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law.  

If you share our values and want to help shape our work going forward, we’d love to hear from you.  

 Compensation  

Our compensation philosophy aligns with our values and supports the strategic initiatives guiding the Council’s work. The key principles that guide our approach to compensation: 

Attract and retain: We strive to offer a total compensation program that attracts and retains talent and is competitive for similar organizations. 

Motivate: We reward performance that drives the organization’s mission forward.  

Understand the market:  Benchmark base pay levels and practices against peer organizations (like-size/budget non-profits in King County) and pay within industry norms. 

Equity in the workplace: We are committed to providing equal pay for equal work within the Council, with allowable pay differences based on factors not prohibited by law. While fairness is fundamental, individuals bring different experience levels and skills to roles that are themselves sometimes different – compensation reflects these meaningful differences and varies accordingly. 

The salary range for this position is $90,000-$120,000, depending on experience and past achievement. Benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; and generous paid time off. Orca pass and phone stipend included. 

How to Apply 

Please submit your résumé and a thoughtful cover letter telling us why you think you’re right for us, why we’re right for you, and how your past achievements would help guide your work. This position will remain open until filled. 

Medical, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; short- and long-term disability coverage; and generous paid time off, including volunteer time off and floating holidays so you can celebrate what’s important to you.  

Please submit your résumé and a thoughtful cover letter telling us why you think you’re right for us, why we’re right for you, and how your past achievements would help guide your work. This position will remain open until filled.