Major Gifts Officer, Institutional Advancement Job Listing at Bellevue College in Bellevue, WA (Job ID 16143)

Description

Position Summary  

The Director of Development is a frontline fundraiser and key member of the Bellevue College Foundation development team. This position secures significant philanthropic support for Bellevue College students, programs, faculty, facilities, and strategic priorities by managing the full major-gift donor cycle¿from discovery and qualification through cultivation, solicitation, closing, and stewardship.

The Director of Development builds lasting relationships with individuals, alumni, corporations, foundations, and community partners. Working in close partnership with Foundation and College leadership, faculty, staff, board members, volunteers, and advancement colleagues, the Director of Development translates institutional priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities that advance Bellevue College¿s mission and expand opportunity for its students.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule  

Position Salary Range: $100,178/year - $145,258/year

The salary information shown above is a general guideline only. The salary will be determined based on candidate's qualifications and related experience, as well as market and business considerations. Typically, new hire starts no higher than $111,448/year based on Bellevue College salary schedule.

We offer comprehensive compensation package with salary and benefits as the main components. Generous benefits package is offered through Washington State plans that includes multiple medical, dental, life and disability coverage choices for employees and dependents; choices of retirement and deferred compensation plans; paid holidays, sick, and vacation plans; transit program, reduced tuition, employee discounts and memberships, etc.

This position is scheduled to work 40 hours per week. The position is classified as exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

About The College  

Bellevue College is a vibrant, student-centered institution located just 10 miles east of Seattle. Serving one of the most diverse student populations in Washington - we are proud to reflect the global community we serve.

As an employer, Bellevue College is committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered. We believe that our faculty and staff are essential partners in fulfilling our mission, and we prioritize professional growth, collaboration, and innovation in everything we do. Employees at Bellevue College benefit from opportunities to expand their skills, contribute to meaningful work that changes lives, and engage in a community that is deeply committed to inclusion.

We are dedicated to creating an environment where creativity and innovation thrive, and where the contributions of every employee help shape both the success of our students and the vitality of the region. At Bellevue College, you will find a community that supports your goals, values your voice, and celebrates your impact.

For more about Bellevue College's impact, visit Facts at a Glance.

About the Department  

Institutional Advancement is the external facing division of Bellevue College which includes marketing, web editing, KBCS radio station, public relations, creative services and the Bellevue College Foundation. The Bellevue College Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Bellevue College and its students. Its mission is to foster educational excellence and student success by generating financial resources, building community partnerships, and facilitating access to quality education. The foundation provides scholarships, funds innovative programs, and supports faculty and staff development to enhance academic experience. It works closely with donors, alumni, businesses, and community members to create opportunities for students and to help them achieve their educational and career goals. Through its efforts, the Bellevue College Foundation plays a key role in empowering students and strengthening the community.

Essential Functions  

Major Gifts Fundraising and Portfolio Management

• Solicit and close major philanthropic gifts that increase total giving in the $25,000 - $100,000 range to support students, programs, faculty, facilities, and strategic priorities
• Manage a strategic portfolio of major-gift prospects and donors¿including individuals, alumni, corporations, and foundations¿with clear qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Develop and execute individualized engagement plans that move prospects through the donor continuum and result in significant current-use, scholarship, programmatic, capital, planned, and endowed gifts.
• Identify and qualify new prospects through research, referrals, College and faculty networks, events, donor data, community engagement, and collaboration with fundraising colleagues.
• Conduct strategic donor visits and other contacts; maintain an active prospect pipeline and achieve annual performance goals established with Foundation leadership.
• Prepare and present proposals, concept papers, gift illustrations, fund and endowment agreements, grant applications, briefing materials, and other donor communications.
• Strategically engage College leaders, faculty, board members, volunteers, and community partners in prospect development, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Represent the Bellevue College Foundation at College, community, business, and professional events, serving as a knowledgeable and credible ambassador for Bellevue College. Clearly and persuasively articulate Bellevue College¿s mission, student needs, strategic priorities, and the impact of philanthropy to diverse audiences.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and confidential records of contacts, strategies, proposals, commitments, pledge schedules, and next steps in the Foundation¿s constituent relationship management system.

Donor Relations and Stewardship

• Build donor-centered relationships grounded in trust, responsiveness, inclusion, and a nuanced understanding of each donor¿s interests and philanthropic goals.
• Collaborate on customized stewardship strategies for major donors, including acknowledgments, impact updates, fund and endowment reports, recognition, and engagement opportunities.
• Partner with finance, scholarship, grants, and program colleagues to confirm the appropriate use of gifts and communicate meaningful outcomes and student impact.
• Engage alumni and other constituents in ways that strengthen lifelong affinity, volunteerism, advocacy, and philanthropy.
• Ensure donor intent is accurately documented and honored in accordance with Foundation and College policies and applicable state and federal requirements.
• Safeguard confidential donor and institutional information and uphold the highest standards of professional fundraising ethics.

Strategy, Campaigns, and Program Development

• Work with the Sr. Director of Development to establish annual fundraising goals, objectives, metrics, and work plans aligned with Bellevue College and Foundation priorities.
• Contribute to campaign planning and implementation as needed, including case development, prospect strategy, volunteer engagement, pipeline analysis, and progress reporting.
• Develop focused fundraising initiatives and mini-campaigns for priority constituencies, programs, scholarships, facilities, equipment, and areas of greatest need.
• Build and maintain relationships with corporate and community partners to generate sponsorship support and expand the Foundation¿s network of engaged stakeholders.
• Contribute to policies, procedures, and practices that strengthen major-gift fundraising, stewardship, prospect management, and donor relations.
• Perform other duties consistent with the scope and purpose of the position.

Minimum Qualifications  

• Bachelor¿s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible fundraising, advancement, development, or closely related experience, including demonstrated success cultivating and soliciting major philanthropic gifts.
• Demonstrated success securing major philanthropic gifts, including planned, corporate, foundation, campaign, or endowed gifts.
• Experience managing a prospect portfolio and moving donors through discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Effective judgment, discretion, initiative, organization, and follow-through, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency with constituent relationship management systems and standard business software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Commitment to ethical fundraising, donor intent, confidentiality, inclusive excellence, and the mission and values of Bellevue College.

Preferred Qualifications  

• Experience in higher education, a college or university foundation, or another complex nonprofit organization.
• Knowledge of integrated advancement practices, alumni engagement, prospect management, stewardship, and campaign operations.
• Demonstrated ability to develop persuasive proposals and translate complex institutional priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with donors, alumni, volunteers, executives, faculty, staff, students, and community partners from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Experience partnering with senior leaders, boards, faculty, volunteers, and communications teams.
• Experience using data and performance metrics to manage a fundraising pipeline and assess results.

Conditions of Employment  

Bellevue College intends to provide a drug-free, healthy, safe, and secure work and educational environment. Each employee is expected to report to work in an appropriate mental and physical condition to perform her/his/their assigned duties.

Bellevue College employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. 

Sexual Misconduct and Background Check:

Prior to start of employment, finalists(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check as a condition of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment, but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington State Law.

Check frequently in your inbox, spam, junk, clutter email folders for any communication regarding the next steps from Bellevue College and our background check partners.

Reference Check:

Reference checks may include, but are not limited to, contacting references and verification of work experience, and/or past job duties. 

Other Information  

• This position is NOT eligible for relocation allowance.
• This position is NOT eligible for sponsorship for employment-based visa.

How To Apply  

Applications received by 11/29/2026 will be given full consideration. Applications received after that date may be considered until the position is filled. 

All individuals interested in this position are encouraged to apply. Your application must include a complete online application and all of the required documents below to be considered complete. Any application that does not provide all requested information will not be considered for the position (only submit required documents with the application, additional documents will not be reviewed.) Please review Application Tips before applying. Current Bellevue College employees should apply the position through Employee Self Service.

Required application materials:   

• Attach a Cover Letter (min 1 pg., max 2 pgs.)
• Attach a Resume
• Complete Job Questionnaires

Contact: 

If you have questions with regards to the application or the hiring process, please contact Office of Human Resources at jobs@bellevuecollege.edu

EEO Statement  

Bellevue College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, language, ethnicity, religion, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, including gender identity or expression, disability, or age in its programs and activities. Please see policy 4150 at www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/. The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator, 425-564-2641, Office C227, and EEOC/504 Compliance Officer, 425-564-2178, Office B126. 

Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the recruitment process may contact hraccommodations@bellevuecollege.edu .

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