Director of Advancement

North Carolina Outward Bound School Inc; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 105,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Life/AD&D

403(b) with employer match

Holiday pay

Paid time off

Outward Bound course

Pro deals

Professional development funds

Dog friendly office

Job summary

North Carolina Outward Bound School seeks a Director of Advancement to drive fundraising, brand, and alumni engagement from Asheville. The role leads annual giving, major gifts, endowments, and campaigns, with cross-functional collaboration and a focus on sustainable growth.

The ideal candidate will have 10+ years in nonprofit development, exceptional communication, and a track record of securing major gifts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, with CFRE preferred.
• A minimum of 10 years of nonprofit experience in development and managing teams.
• Well-honed communication skills; can interact confidently with board, advisory boards, staff, donors, and alumni.
• Big picture, strategic thinker able to plan and lead cross-functional teams to goals.
• Proven track record cultivating philanthropic relationships, securing major gifts, and driving a 2M Annual Fund.
• Experience developing, implementing, and stewarding case statements and fundraising campaigns.
• Exemplary writing, speaking, and presentation skills.
• Experience with donor software, CRM platforms, and Moves Management.
• Budget management experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint).
• Familiarity with Salesforce preferred.
• Extensive marketing, communications, and fundraising campaign experience preferred.
• Knowledge and use of development platforms preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a member of the Leadership Team, providing strategic insight into priorities and resource needs.
• Lead all development functions: annual giving, major gifts, grants, planned giving, corporate partnerships, endowment growth, and campaigns.
• Develop and execute annual and multi-year fundraising strategies aligned to sustainability and impact.
• Oversee the 60th Anniversary Campaign and manage the Campaign Manager.
• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing Advancement team and oversee budget and operations.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, foundations, corporate partners, alumni, and board members.
• Partner with the Executive Director and leadership to strengthen advancement infrastructure and drive campaigns.
• Use data and metrics to guide strategy, measure results, and hit revenue goals.
• Provide strategic oversight for marketing and communications to align fundraising with brand and priorities.
• Oversee donor events, outreach initiatives, and engagement opportunities to grow supporters.
• Lead regional advisory boards and growth initiatives to expand impact and scholarship.
• Travel regularly to cultivate donor relationships and represent NCOBS.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Fundraising

Donor relations

Communication

Public speaking

Budget management

Campaign management

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

CFRE preferred

Tools

Salesforce

CRM platforms

Moves Management

Microsoft Office

SharePoint

Job description

Director of Advancement
Hybrid in Asheville, NC
Full Time, Exempt

At North Carolina Outward Bound School, we believe in the power of challenge, compassion, and discovery to change lives. Building on a strong legacy of philanthropic support, NCOBS seeks a dynamic, systems-driven, and human-oriented leader passionate about the mission of Outward Bound. The Director of Advancement will work with an energetic team to scale the organization's fundraising, brand, marketing, communications, and alumni engagement to the next level of excellence. The Director of Advancement will lead and work with cross functional teams to champion and oversee fundraising, marketing and communications, three regional advisory boards, and the alumni engagement program, including a multi-year development strategy encompassing the Annual Fund, Major Gifts, Endowments, and a Planned Giving Program.

Position Details

As Director of Advancement, you are the strategic leader responsible for driving NCOBS's philanthropic vision, fundraising growth, advancement strategy, and culture of philanthropy in support of the organization's mission and strategic plan. You will:

• Serve as a member of the Leadership Team, providing strategic insight into organizational priorities, growth opportunities, and resource development needs.
• Lead all development functions, including annual giving, major gifts, grants, planned giving, corporate partnerships, endowment growth, and campaign fundraising.
• Develop and execute annual and multi-year fundraising strategies and goals that support organizational sustainability and long-term impact.
• Oversee the NCOBS 60th Anniversary Campaign, participate as a member of the 60th Campaign Working Committee, and manage the Campaign Manager.
• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing Advancement team while overseeing departmental planning, operations, and budget management.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, foundations, corporate partners, alumni, community stakeholders, and board members to expand philanthropic support.
• Partner closely with the Executive Director, Board Development Committee, and organizational leadership to strengthen advancement infrastructure and lead significant fundraising initiatives, including campaign planning and execution.
• Utilize data, donor insights, and performance metrics to guide fundraising strategy, measure results, and achieve revenue goals.
• Provide strategic oversight for marketing and communications, ensuring alignment between fundraising, brand positioning, programmatic priorities, and organizational goals.
• Oversee donor cultivation events, community outreach initiatives, and engagement opportunities that deepen relationships and expand NCOBS's network of supporters.
• Provide strategic leadership and fundraising guidance for regional advisory boards and growth initiatives that expand mission impact and scholarship support.
• Travel regularly to cultivate donor relationships, represent NCOBS in key markets, and support fundraising and community engagement efforts.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor's degree, with CFRE preferred
• A minimum of 10 years of nonprofit experience in development and managing teams
• Well-honed communication skills; can interact confidently and effectively with NCOBS board, advisory boards, staff, students, donors, life trustees, NCOBS community, the media, and alumni
• Big picture, strategic thinker with experience and ability to conceptualize and execute strategic plan and lead within a collaborative, cross-functional team environment to achieve department and organizational goals
• Proven track record cultivating philanthropic relationships, securing major gifts, implementing and stewarding development best practices, and driving a 2M Annual Fund
• Experience developing, implementing, and stewarding case statements and fundraising campaigns
• Exemplary writing, speaking, and presentation skills
• Experience with implementing and managing donor software, CRM platforms, and Moves Management
• Effective budget management experience
• Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, & SharePoint)
• Familiarity and experience with Salesforce preferred
• Extensive marketing, communications, and fundraising campaign experience preferred
• Knowledge and use of development, marketing, and communications platforms preferred

Work Environment & Employment Requirements

• Hybrid office environment with at least two in-office days per week
• Occasional schedule flexibility required for deadlines or events
• Ability to travel and stay overnight required frequently for this position
• Successful completion of background and motor vehicle records checks
• Eligibility to work in the United States
• Ability to use a computer for long durations and sit for extended periods of time
• Ability to lift or carry light items (generally up to 25lbs) such as office supplies or files
• Ability to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear and taste or smell

Benefits & Perks

• Working at North Carolina Outward Bound School comes with perks that support your well-being and growth. Our benefits include:
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life/AD&D, STD, and LTD
• Access to contribute to a 403(b) retirement account with 1.5% employer match after 1 year of service
• 13 paid holidays to rest, recharge, and adventure
• Up to four weeks of paid time off accrued annually
• One complimentary domestic Outward Bound course
• Access to outdoor industry pro deals
• Annual professional development funds to support your learning and career growth
• Dog friendly office

Compensation

$105,000 - $115,000 Annually (DOE)

Equal Opportunity & Anti-Harassment

North Carolina Outward Bound School is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, or any other protected status under the law. We maintain a zero‑tolerance policy for harassment or discrimination of any kind and are dedicated to fostering a safe and supportive environment for all employees.

Accessibility & Accommodation

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where both current and future employees can thrive. Employees may request reasonable accommodation at any time to support the performance of essential job functions. The organization is committing to working collaboratively with employees to ensure they have the support and environment needed to succeed.

We are also committed to ensuring an accessible and inclusive hiring process. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation at any point during the application or interview process are encouraged to reach out. We are happy to work with applicants to provide the support needed to participate fully in the hiring process.