Associate Director of Development

Central Washington University is recruiting an Associate Director of Development to join our University Advancement team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting . We're offering a competitive salary plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~8,300 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for seven out of eight years, CWU was a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025.

Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator .

The Role:

The Associate Director of Development (ADOD) is an externally facing position that is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospective and current donors to CWU, including alumni, parents, friends, and other constituents. The ADOD will focus on fundraising priorities articulated by university leadership. The ADOD works as a generalist but may be assigned to a specific school, college or unit or may be assigned regionally to represent broader university priorities. The ADOD has a focus of activity on leadership annual giving and mid-level gifts ($1,000 - $24,999) and will manage a portfolio of mid-level gift donors and prospects. This position will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors by engaging prospects through a variety of mediums (face-to-face, virtual, phone or in writing). Travel throughout Washington state and occasional out of state travel is required.

All employees are expected to uphold and contribute to CWU's vision, mission, and values, fostering a culture of student success and institutional excellence. The ADOD position directly impacts the vision, mission, and values of Central Washington University by creating and promoting a culture of welcoming and belonging. They engage others in meaningful work that fosters strong relationships, stewardship of resources, and the integration of a variety of perspectives.

Job Duties

Fundraising

• Manage and be directly responsible for a portfolio of mid-level gift prospects for the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of mid-level gifts; develop and document written cultivation and solicitation strategies/proposals, purposefully guiding donors to make investments in Central Washington University and develop relationships to maximize their giving potential over time.
• Plan and implement cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for mid-level gift prospects.
• Regularly identify and qualify new and prospective donors through regular strategic contacts.
• Work closely with colleagues to hand-off major-gift prospects and donors as appropriate.
• Meet explicit annual performance objectives as part of an annual work plan determined in partnership with the position's supervisor.
• Develop strong working relationships with Advancement and School/College/University colleagues. Meet/interact regularly with colleagues in order strategize, develop plans, and solve problems.
• Work with AVP for Development and Advancement Services colleagues to identify new donor prospects and maintain database records of all fundraising and engagement activity as required by Advancement policies and procedures.
• Develop detailed knowledge of university and college programs and activities necessary to engage donors and prospective donors.

Planning, Strategy, and Integration

• Work collaboratively with UA colleagues to enhance coordinated fundraising efforts
• Coordinate cultivation activities and solicitations with other Central Washington University representatives, including Deans, key faculty, and volunteers as appropriate.
• Ensure appropriate stewardship plans are prepared, and activities conducted, for assigned donors.
• Ensure that donors are thanked and recognized by working closely with Advancement stewardship staff and university/college staff as appropriate.
• Set fundraising goals with university, college, and advancement leadership
• Coordinate closely with Engagement team staff members as part of donor cultivation and stewardship efforts
• Participate in relevant college or university meetings with deans and department chairs and faculty on all development/fundraising based activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 5 years' experience in external relations, constituent relations, corporate sales, marketing, event management OR a bachelor's degree in marketing, communications or related field and 1 year experience in external relations, constituent relations, corporate sales, marketing, event management.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated willingness and/or experience working with students and/or co-workers from a wide range of abilities, backgrounds and experiences.
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a higher education environment.
• Understanding of fundraising and donor cultivation processes in higher education.
• Working knowledge of Raiser's Edge NXT software.
• Demonstrated participation in programs designed to promote student success.
• Demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for students through various activities.

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Belonging: Values the uniqueness of every individual and fosters an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to thrive.

Don't meet every single requirement? At CWU, we're committed to creating a welcoming and genuine workplace. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. This could be the opportunity you're looking for!

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

Salary : The Hiring Department's expected hiring range is $65,000 - $68,000 annually. Individual placement within the hiring range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the full annual salary range for this position is $64,974 to $94,213.

Schedule/Appointment : Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm (1-hour lunch) with some weekends and evenings

Working Conditions : Work is performed in an indoor office setting with frequent in-person interactions. It is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer workstation for prolonged periods of time, perform extensive data entry and other computer-related tasks and create/maintain filing systems for departmental records. Attendance at University and College events and functions which may occur in the evening and/or weekends. Extensive travel away from the office is required.

Benefits : CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator .

An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program .

How To Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, and (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting;
• Resume including work history, education, training; and
• Contact information for three professional references.

Screening Begins: June 23, 2026

Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Contact Information

Name: Shannon Connelly

Title: Assistant Vice President for Development

Email: shannon.connelly@cwu.edu

Phone: (509) 963-2804

Website: https://www.cwu.edu/about/offices/advancement/

Please contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process.

Conditions of Employment

Background Check/Reference Check Process:

Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to sign a Sexual Misconduct disclosure in pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 and submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.

Notice to Prospective Employees:

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Statement

Central Washington University is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. Central Washington University's policies and practices affirm and actively promote the rights of all individuals to equal opportunity in education and employment. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, disability, or status as a protected veteran is prohibited. The university provides an internal procedure for reporting discrimination and affords protection against retaliation for participating in the complaint process. Central Washington University complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders including when soliciting bids and in the fulfillment of all contracts with governmental agencies. Direct related inquiries to Civil Rights Compliance , 202 Barge Hall, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7501; Telephone 509-963-2050; or email crc@cwu.edu.

Reasonable Accommodations

Central Washington University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact Human Resources at HR@cwu.edu or call 509-963-1202. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the Central Washington University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (i.e. Clery Report) which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, available online here or call CWU Police and Parking Services at 509-963-2959 for a paper copy.