Associate Director of Development

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill; Elkins Hills (NC); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

The Ackland Art Museum at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seeks an Associate Director of Development to lead private support initiatives, focusing on leadership annual giving and major gifts.

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, you will build and manage donor relationships, develop a comprehensive plan, and coordinate events, travel, and occasional evening/weekend work.

Qualifications

• Master's or Bachelor's degree and 0–2 years' experience, or an equivalent combination.
• Excellent verbal and written communications, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to interact effectively in a research university with donors, faculty, staff and volunteers.
• Commitment to integrity, initiative, collaboration, critical thinking, accuracy and timeliness.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership annual giving and major gift prospects.
• Create a strategic development plan for private support including gifts and corporate/foundation giving.
• Maintain an active prospect pipeline and engage staff, volunteers, and faculty.
• Plan fundraising and stewardship events and represent the development office at meetings.
• Support pan-University development efforts and collaborate with the Ackland and UNC-Chapel Hill.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Professionalism

Education

Master's or Bachelor's

Job description

About the University

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The Ackland Art Museum is one of the leading public university art museums in the country. With nearly 30 employees, dozens of volunteers, and a budget of approximately $4M per year, the Ackland maintains a collection of over 20,000 works of art. It produces four major exhibitions and many smaller installations annually.

The museum receives nearly 60,000 visitors, always free of charge, who come from all 100 North Carolina counties, across the nation, and internationally each year. The Ackland serves UNC students, faculty, and the public through its special exhibitions, programs, and activities based on its permanent collection. The staff of the Ackland works with approximately 150 faculty and graduate instructors each year to provide opportunities for them to meet their teaching and research goals by bringing their classes to the museum (approximately 10,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students). The Ackland provides approximately 20 internships annually for both graduate and undergraduate students. It welcomes and trains a corps of 30 docents to work with K-12 schools and the public.

Job Details

• Location: North Carolina, US
• Contract type: Full-Time Permanent
• Hours per week: 40
• Proposed start date: 11/01/2026

Position Summary

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer and acting as the number two development officer, the Associate Director of Development at the Ackland Art Museum will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects and donors at the leadership annual giving and major gift level, and create a strategic comprehensive development plan for private support through planned gifts, major gifts, leadership annual giving and corporate and foundation gifts. Focusing on pipeline growth and prospect management, this position will maintain an active pipeline of qualified prospects and donors, engaging and motivating donors, volunteers, faculty, and administrators as appropriate. He/she will assist with staffing board and affinity groups and help plan fundraising and stewardship events, particularly as they relate to leadership annual giving and major gift prospects and donors.

The Associate Director of Development will also participate as a member of the University's central development organization by attending appropriate campus-wide development meetings and will occasionally represent the CDO at these and other meetings as appropriate. The Associate Director of Development will serve as a critical partner in expanding development efforts at the Ackland, including corporation and foundation support, stewardship efforts, donor identification, strategy development, and planning for a building expansion. Overall, the Associate Director of Development will foster collaborative pan-University development efforts between the Museum and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Frequent travel, evening and some weekend work are required.

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Master's or Bachelor's and 0-2 years' experience; or will accept a combination of related education and experience in substitution.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Strong verbal and written communications skills. Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills and judgment. Ability to interact effectively in a comprehensive environment such as a research university setting with donors, faculty, staff and volunteers. Exhibit the highest standards of professionalism and performance as evidenced by integrity, initiative, collaborative teamwork, critical thinking, accuracy, consistency, timeliness and attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Three-to-five years of experience in major gift development or closely related field. Successful track record in comprehensive campaign fundraising in higher education or the arts.

Special Instructions

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.