DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT

Gardens are an essential part of the human experience. We visit gardens to find peace and healing, to be with friends and family and to better understand and connect with the natural world. Plants shape how we live, what we notice, and how we care for one another.

Right now, we are building something extraordinary in Seattle: an exceptional organization that brings together the unique strengths of the Arboretum Foundation and the University of Washington Botanic Gardens. We are joining forces to become a destination garden, exemplifying leadership in scientific research, public engagement, and inclusive access. Our vision is to be a home for discovery, a force for sustainability, and a gateway to wonder. In every visit and through every season, we’ll help people of all ages meaningfully connect with the living world of plants and how they shape our lives and our shared future.

The Arboretum Foundation seeks a Director of Advancement to lead donor engagement and fundraising for this new organization, providing leadership for an array of philanthropic revenue streams, including annual campaigns, major gifts, planned giving, stewardship events, endowments and capital campaigns. The Director of Advancement will manage a team responsible for generating $5 million in annual contributed revenue, while also serving as the chief architect and leader for a capital campaign (estimated to be $100-150 million) to fund the restoration and development of the Montlake Peninsula beginning as soon as 2031. The Director of Advancement will work closely with staff and board leadership, as well as external counsel, to build strategic support across the organization and throughout our community for the launch and implementation of this campaign.

The Director of Advancement focuses primarily on strategic planning of all advancement plans and workflows, team and stakeholder management and campaign oversight. The Director of Advancement oversees a team of five focused on donor relations, membership and individual giving, database management and analytics, and stewardship events. As a member of the senior leadership team, the Director of Advancement reports directly to the Executive Director/CEO and works collaboratively with the Curator of Plant Collections, Director of Finance and other leadership staff. The Director of Advancement also works closely with the Board of Directors and the Advancement Committee, including contributing to recruitment and giving efforts.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities and essential job functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

Strategic Fundraising and Campaign Planning

• Lead the development and implementation of long-range fundraising planning for the Foundation in collaboration with the Executive Director/CEO, the Advancement team, and the Board Advancement Committee, in alignment with the organization’s priorities.
• Provide leadership in early campaign planning to support the Montlake Peninsula Project, increase community access and giving opportunities, and cultivate new and existing donor communities.
• Work closely with staff leadership and our community partners to develop strategic partnerships that broaden awareness of the Arboretum and Botanic Gardens.
• Work with and, at times, help source external consultants and vendors in support of campaign management
• Continuously assess, monitor, and set KPIs for fundraising programs and campaigns. Manage team meetings and internal portfolio and process review meetings.

Donor Stewardship

• • Curate and manage giving portfolios for individual and institutional fundraising team members as well as Executive Director/CEO and Board President portfolios. The Director may own a portfolio of 10-15 leadership donors or prospects in a year.
  • Develop creative, collaborative fundraising campaigns with the Advancement team that center the vision of the Arboretum, the voices of its communities, and inspire new generations of members and supporters to the organization.
  • Establish, nurture and steward trusting relations with individual donors, corporate partners and other supporters.
  • Build cultivation and stewardship strategies to expand the Arbor Circle and other categories of annual gifts, including specialized donor groups such as the Japanese Garden’s Camellia Circle.
  • Work with staff and board to engage donors in meaningful mission-oriented experiences, including Talks & Tours, Music in the Arboretum, Fall Leadership Dinner and other garden experiences.
  • Provide leadership, coordination and support for all Board fundraising efforts. Actively participate with the Board and Executive Director/CEO on recruiting new board and committee members
  • With the Grant Writer and Executive Director/CEO, cultivate institutional funders and oversee grant strategy, proposal development and grant reporting.
  • Build Legacy Circle membership through marketing and donor conversations about planned gifts
  • Strategically leverage the Arboretum’s CRM (Raiser’s Edge) to provide strong, data-driven prospecting, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts

Communications and Marketing

• • Collaborate with Communications Team to develop a strong case for support for the organization while ensuring consistent and clear communications across all donor channels including membership, major donors, campaign prospects, grantors/funders, and volunteers.

Team Management

• • Provide leadership, supervision, and assessment for Advancement Team members to accomplish the goals and objectives of the department and to acknowledge and retain high-performing staff.
  • Ensure donor communications, including acknowledgements, are consistent, timely, and reflective of our mission.
  • Develop and manage annual advancement plan and budget, consistently growing and evaluating performance metrics in conjunction with the Director of Finance, Executive Director, and Board of Directors. Oversee financial reporting and related metrics for staff and board review.

DESIRED SKILLS

• • Demonstrated ability to prospect, cultivate, and steward donors through mission-centered relationships.
  • Experience closing six-figure gifts and growing donor base to support an annual budget of $5 million or more, particularly in museums, public gardens, or similar nonprofits.
  • Strategic planning experience, proficiency with donor management systems, strong communication and financial management skills, plus passion for conservation and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
  • Proven supervisory, management, and leadership capabilities.
  • Demonstrated ability to build rapport and work effectively and professionally with volunteers, staff, Board and committee members, and the general public.
  • Passion for gardening, horticulture, the environment, and/or public open space.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE

• • Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent experience with at least ten years of progressively responsible experience in fund development.
  • Proven experience with strategic development and implementation of capital campaigns and special projects.
  • Demonstrated record of successful and significant fundraising through annual giving strategies, major gifts, planned giving, and capital campaigns.
  • Prior experience with public-private partnerships and public works projects is a plus.
  • Knowledge of the Seattle philanthropic community is a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Due to the nature of this position, work will primarily be on-location at the Graham Visitor Center and the Center for Urban Horticulture, with some remote work. The Graham Visitor Center is three stories without an elevator. The role requires the ability to lift heavy objects (up to 20 lbs), drive an electric cart for donor and visitor tours, and climb stairs to access office equipment, kitchen area and work stations. We understand that these may not comply with every individual’s ability and encourage applicants to inform us of any accommodations needed to create a welcoming, safe environment for the employee. We are committed to working with the successful applicant on making necessary accommodations for the role when an offer is presented. The position involves periodic weekend and evening work.

BENEFITS

• • Generous paid vacation, sick time and holidays
  • Medical, dental, and vision
  • Matching retirement contribution
  • Office located in the heart of a beautiful park!

Disclaimer:

This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for this position. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their typical responsibilities from time to time, as needed, to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

EEO Statement:

The Arboretum Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities at the Arboretum Foundation are based on one's qualifications and capabilities to perform the essential functions of a particular job. All employment opportunities are provided without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, age, HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis C status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity; honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability or, any other characteristic protected by law.

This Equal Employment Opportunity policy governs all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, selection, job assignment, promotions, transfers, compensation, discipline, termination, layoff, access to benefits and training, and all other conditions and privileges of employment.

• Generous paid vacation, sick time and holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision
• Matching retirement contribution
• Office located in the heart of a beautiful park!