Organizer Information
Seattle Arts & Lectures (SAL) is a Seattle, Washington-based non-profit literary arts organization founded in 1987, launching its first public season in 1988 with authors including John Updike, Calvin Trillin, Isabel Allende, and Louise Erdrich. In 1994, SAL introduced its Writers in the Schools (WITS) program, and in 2000 added a Poetry Series and Wednesday University adult education programming. Today, SAL runs a mix of public literary series (including Literary Arts, Poetry, SAL Presents, Encore, and Community-Curated Series) alongside arts education programs — Writers in the Schools and the Seattle Youth Poetry Fellowship — reaching over 33,000 audience members and 6,000 students annually. SAL is a co-presenter, with the Seattle Public Library and King County Library System, of the free Summer Book Bingo program. The organization operates with a staff of 18 and states that 60% of its annual revenue comes from charitable donations. SAL describes its work as guided by the values of joy, equity, curiosity, community, and accessibility, and is engaged in an ongoing organizational commitment to anti-racism, publishing Equity Accountability Reports as part of that work.
Title & Description
Director of Development
Seattle Arts & Lectures is hiring a Director of Development to help lead the organization through its next phase of growth under a new strategic plan. That plan includes expanding access to the Writers in the Schools program, developing a signature Seattle book festival, increasing regional access to literary experiences, deepening community partnerships, and strengthening long-term financial sustainability.
As a member of SAL's Leadership Team, the Director of Development will partner with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, staff, and community partners to build and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy. The role leads a team of four development professionals and oversees a fundraising program generating approximately $2.8 million in annual contributed revenue across individual giving, institutional philanthropy, government support, corporate partnerships, planned giving, and special events. The Director of Development will also serve as one of SAL's primary frontline fundraisers, personally cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donor relationships, and will help build the philanthropic capacity and organizational readiness needed for a future comprehensive campaign.
The Role Overview
- Position Type: Full-time, Exempt
- Contract Type: Not specified in the source (framed as an ongoing leadership role, not fixed-term)
- Salary: $160,000–$180,000
- Reports To: Executive Director
- Department / Programme: Development (leads a team of four: Development Associate, Grants Manager, Individual & Annual Fund Manager, Fundraising Events Manager)
- Working Hours: Full-time; evening/weekend hours required approximately 4 to 6 times per month, September through June
- Team Size Managed: 4 development staff
- Portfolio: Approximately 75 major donors and prospects
Position & Tasks
- Executive Leadership
- Serve as an active member of SAL's Leadership Team, contributing to organizational strategy, financial sustainability, culture, and long-term planning
- Partner closely with the Executive Director on strategic initiatives, fundraising strategy, annual budgeting, and board engagement
- Champion a culture of generosity throughout the organization
- Lead the annual development planning process aligned with SAL's strategic plan
- Develop strategy and collaborate cross-functionally in creating effective fundraising communications across all channels
- Assess fundraising performance and recommend improvements based on data and best practices
- Partner with Finance on forecasting, budgeting, reporting, audit preparation, and long-range financial planning
- Represent SAL as an ambassador in the community
- Philanthropic Strategy
- Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with SAL's strategic plan
- Lead annual giving, major gifts, institutional giving, government grants, corporate partnerships, planned giving, fundraising events, and special campaigns
- Build diversified revenue streams and fundraising capacity
- Help position SAL for a future comprehensive campaign by strengthening philanthropic capacity, expanding leadership giving, and building supporting systems and relationships
- Major Gifts & Strategic Partnerships
- Manage a portfolio of approximately 75 major donors and prospects with regular cultivation, asks, and stewardship
- Cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership gifts, including five-, six-, and seven-figure investments
- Partner with the Executive Director and Board on securing principal gifts
- Expand planned giving and legacy giving efforts
- Team Leadership
- Establish clear fundraising goals, portfolio expectations, and accountability measures while coaching staff to strengthen fundraising effectiveness and donor relationships
- Lead, mentor, and inspire the development team (Development Associate, Grants Manager, Individual & Annual Fund Manager, Fundraising Events Manager)
- Support professional development and foster a collaborative, inclusive, and joyful team culture
- Foster a culture in which leaders at every level actively participate in fundraising and relationship building
- Board Partnership
- Staff the Board Events & Stewardship Committee
- Coach and support board members in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
Categories
- Arts Administration
- Development & Fundraising
- Nonprofit Leadership
- Literary Arts
- Major Gifts & Philanthropy
- Grant Management
- Organizational Strategy
Eligibility
- Eight or more years of progressively responsible nonprofit fundraising leadership
- Demonstrated success developing and personally securing significant philanthropic revenue through major gifts, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, government funding, planned giving, and other contributed income streams, while leading comprehensive fundraising programs generating $2.5 million or more annually
- Measurable success managing a portfolio of at least 75–100 individuals and personally cultivating, soliciting, and securing five-, six-, and preferably seven-figure gifts
- Demonstrated proficiency with fundraising CRM systems (PatronManager preferred), Microsoft Office Suite, and donor research, reporting, and analytics tools; ability to leverage technology and data to inform fundraising strategy
- Proven experience managing and mentoring fundraising staff and fostering a collaborative, high-performing team
- Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills, including proposal writing and donor presentations
- Preferred, not mandatory: excellent financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and fundraising revenue management
- Preferred, not mandatory: demonstrated ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on fundraising execution
- Preferred, not mandatory: comfort serving as the organization's lead fundraiser with donors, sponsors, foundations, and community leaders
- Preferred, not mandatory: demonstrated commitment to advancing equity, accessibility, and belonging, and ability to build authentic relationships across diverse communities
- Preferred, not mandatory: experience partnering with executive leadership, boards, and volunteers to achieve ambitious fundraising goals
- Preferred, not mandatory: experience with campaign planning or significant fundraising growth initiatives
- Preferred, not mandatory: familiarity with Seattle's philanthropic community and regional foundations
- Preferred, not mandatory: Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) credential or interest in pursuing certification
- Preferred, not mandatory: high degree of professionalism, integrity, discretion, and accountability
- SAL strongly encourages applications from individuals who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, from working-class backgrounds, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ people
- On-location position in Seattle; relocation assistance is not available
Program Benefits
- Salary: $160,000–$180,000
- Paid time off: 20 vacation days/year starting in year two (15 days in year one), plus wellness time, 3 personal days, and holidays
- 100% employer-covered medical, vision, and dental insurance
- Long-term disability and group life insurance covered
- Employee Assistance Program included
- 403(b) retirement plan with a 3% gross salary contribution funded by SAL, plus optional employee pre-tax contributions
- Flex time as appropriate
- Support and budget for professional development and growth
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Email application (single PDF) to: salhr@lectures.org — Subject line: "Director of Development"
Key Dates
- Applications Deadline: 8 September 2026
Location
Seattle, Washington, United States
Additional Details
- Evening/weekend hours required approximately 4 to 6 times per month, September through June
- Contact for inquiries: Hendri Wa, Operations Associate — salhr@lectures.org, (206) 621-2230 ext. 26
- SAL is an equal opportunity employer and states a commitment to a holistic view of candidates, noting no single candidate is expected to offer every desired skill and characteristic