Director, Major Gifts

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 77,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College is seeking a Director of Major Gifts to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors across the Foundation and college priorities. The role focuses on advancing scholarships, programs, and capital projects through private support.

The Major Gifts Officer will manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors, develop tailored engagement plans, and partner with Foundation leadership to achieve fundraising goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Five years of fundraising/advancement experience.
• Experience securing major gifts and donor relations.

Responsibilities

• Manages a portfolio of approximately 75-125 major gift prospects and donors.
• Develops moves-management and solicitation strategies with Foundation leadership.
• Builds relationships with alumni, business leaders, and philanthropic partners.
• Collaborates with Advancement staff on annual giving and donor communications.
• Maintains donor records and prepares forecasts and portfolio analyses.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Fundraising

Relationship management

Donor engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Position Summary Information

Position Title

Director, Major Gifts

Position Type

Full Time Regular

Annual Schedule

12 months

Expected Work Schedule

Standard

Anticipated Days

Monday - Friday

Anticipated Hours

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. with occasional overtime

Anticipated Hours per Week

40

Work Location

Job Description Summary

The Major Gifts Director identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards major gift prospects and donors in support of the mission and priorities of A-B Tech and the A-B Tech Foundation. This position develops meaningful relationships with alumni, community leaders, corporations, and philanthropic partners to secure major gifts, increase donor engagement, and expand private support for student scholarships, academic programs, workforce development initiatives, capital projects, and strategic priorities. The Major Gifts Officer manages a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, develops individualized cultivation strategies, and collaborates closely with Foundation leadership, faculty, staff, and board members to achieve fundraising goals. The Major Gifts Officer is expected to personally generate $500,000 or more in annual philanthropic revenue through gifts of $10,000 and above and manages a portfolio representing the Foundation’s highest-capacity donors and prospects.

Duties

1. Manages a portfolio of approximately 75-125 major gift prospects and donors. Identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards individuals capable of making gifts of $10,000 or more. Conducts personal visits, presentations, and stewardship meetings to strengthen donor relationships and secure philanthropic support.
2. Develops individualized donor engagement plans based on giving history, interests, and philanthropic capacity. Creates and implements moves-management strategies designed to advance prospects through the donor pipeline. Partners with Foundation leadership to develop solicitation strategies and gift proposals. Monitors progress toward fundraising goals and adjusts strategies as needed.
3. Builds and maintains relationships with business leaders, alumni, community organizations, and philanthropic partners. Collaborates with Foundation Board members and college leadership to identify and engage prospective donors. Supports corporate giving and sponsorship initiatives that advance the College’s mission and strategic goals.
4. Collaborates with Advancement staff to support annual giving, special events, campaigns, and donor communications. Works with college leadership, faculty, and staff to identify funding priorities and donor engagement opportunities. Participates in Foundation and College events that support fundraising and community engagement efforts.
5. Builds and maintains relationships with business leaders, alumni, community organizations, and philanthropic partners. Collaborates with Foundation Board members and college leadership to identify and engage prospective donors. Supports corporate giving and sponsorship initiatives that advance the College’s mission and strategic goals.
6. Maintains accurate donor records and contact reports within the donor database. Prepares fundraising forecasts, donor activity reports, and portfolio analyses. Tracks donor engagement activities and ensure timely documentation of all donor interactions. Maintains confidentiality of donor information and giving records.
7. Contributes to the College Vision, Mission, Values, and RISE statement.
8. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements (Applicant must meet all of the minimum requirements)

1. Bachelor’s degree
2. Five years of full-time or equivalent experience in fundraising, advancement, development, sales, relationship management, or a related field.
3. Experience cultivating and securing major gifts, philanthropic investments, or significant financial commitments.
4. Experience building and maintaining long‑term relationships with donors, clients, alumni, or community stakeholders.
5. Experience developing and executing strategic cultivation and solicitation plans.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Ten years full-time or equivalent experience raising funds in WNC for colleges or universities.
2. Proficiency in a foreign language such as Spanish, an East Slavic language, and/or American Sign Language.

Why Should I Work at A-B Tech?

A-B Tech is nestled in the mountains of Western North Carolina and has served as the region’s premier two-year college since our establishment in 1959.

With four locations, the College service area includes Buncombe and Madison Counties. We are a family of approximately:

• 14,000 continuing education students
• 1,100 faculty & staff

We offer an array of programs to meet local workforce needs which culminate in:

• 30 diplomas
• 122 certificates

A-B Tech is indicative of the modern comprehensive community college – providing innovative educational programming and collaborative community development.

If you are dedicated to student and community success, then we invite you to explore employment opportunities at A-B Tech. We hope you will consider joining the A-B Tech Trailblazer family!

A-B Tech commits to demonstrating an inclusive and welcoming culture of Respect, Integrity, and Support for Everyone.

This is evident by our RISE Committee, the Trailblazer RISE Award, and annual RISE projects including the Welcoming Classroom, Appreciative Advising, and more!

A-B Tech is looking for: A person who shares our commitment to sustaining a workplace that offers equal employment opportunity for applicants and employees without discrimination based on race, color, national origin, citizenship, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, disability genetic information/medical history, age, and/or veteran/military status. In addition, the College prohibits discrimination based on any characteristic or condition protected by law, but not specifically mentioned here.

Position Summary

Review Date: (Application should be submitted by 8:00 a.m. EST on this date for consideration)

Review Date: (Application should be submitted by 8:00 a.m. EST on this date for consideration) 10/29/2026

Start Date

Start Date 01/05/2027

Keep Open Until Filled Yes

Salary or Hourly Pay Range (Salary is Non-Negotiable)

Salary or Hourly Pay Range (Salary is Non-Negotiable) $77,052 - $78,552

Total Compensation

Your total compensation goes beyond this maximum salary. Your A-B Tech benefits represent nearly 30% of your total compensation.

The total compensation for this position includes an 26.1% employer contribution to a defined pension plan, contributions towards medical and dental policies and fully funded life insurance / accidental death & dismemberment policy.

Benefits Summary

Questions

A-B Tech’s Human Resources (HR) department is located on the main campus at the Sunnicrest House. This beautiful Tudor-style Historic house served as a private residence for guests of the Vanderbilt family for the first century of the home’s life. Today you will find a professional HR family that is dedicated to ensuring all employees and applicants receive fast and accurate answers, compassion, fairness, and kindness from Monday through Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. To ensure a prompt hiring process, please read the application directions located on the HR website. For questions, you may email us at [e-mail].

We look forward to welcoming you to our A-B Tech family!

Sunnicrest Building, 340 Victoria Road Asheville, NC 28801

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.