Director of Philanthropy

North Carolina State University; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision

Retirement Programs

Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs

12 Holidays Each Year

Tuition and Academic Assistance

Job summary

North Carolina State University seeks a Director of Philanthropy to identify, qualify, solicit, and steward major gift donors within CALS Advancement. You will manage a large portfolio, collaborate across campus, and help maximize support for CALS initiatives.

The role requires a track record in major gifts, strong fundraising strategy, and the ability to travel and engage with volunteers, alumni, and faculty to achieve annual goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in relevant discipline from an accredited college or university and a minimum of five (5) years or greater of experience, including 3 years of progressive advancement experience.
• Proven experience and demonstrated success in major individual gift fundraising, preferably in higher education.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and ethics of successful fundraising and comprehensive capital campaigns.
• Proven relationship builder with the ability to form trusting relationships and work collaboratively with faculty, administrators, volunteers, alumni and colleagues.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills, with a high attention to detail and processes.
• Excellent listening, communication, and interpersonal skills; ability to communicate clearly in person and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate and solicit major gifts ($100,000+) donors.
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 150 prospects and donors.
• Meet or exceed annual outreach, visits, proposals, and funds raised goals.
• Collaborate with colleagues to align donors' interests with campus priorities.
• Attend events and travel as required.

Skills

Major gift fundraising

Relationship building

Portfolio management

Communication skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant discipline

Master's degree in a relevant discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Google Suite

Electronic donor information systems

Job description

Posting Information

Posting Number: PG194776EP

Internal Recruitment: No

Working Title: Director of Philanthropy

Anticipated Hiring Range: Commensurate with Experience

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 40 hours per week

Job Location: Raleigh, NC

Department: Agriculture Related Foundation

About the Department: North Carolina State University was founded in 1887 with the purpose of creating economic, societal and intellectual prosperity for the people of North Carolina. Today, NC State is the largest university in North Carolina, with more than 40,500 high‑performing students, more than 10,000 preeminent faculty and staff and more than 310,000 dedicated alumni. NC State is Research One (R1) university known for its leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. We're also at the forefront of teaching and discovery in agriculture, business, design, education, humanities and social sciences, natural resources, textiles and veterinary medicine. NC State is consistently named as one of the best values in higher education, and many of our programs are ranked at the top of their respective disciplines. We take a great deal of pride in our collaborative, supportive and collegial team culture. All staff are provided opportunities for training and professional development, with an eye to personalized career growth.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at NC State leads partnership-driven discovery, learning, and engagement. As a land‑grant university and the state's pre‑eminent college of agriculture and life sciences, CALS serves North Carolina through academics, research, extension, and international programs. The college prepares students for career paths, discovers and applies unbiased knowledge through advances in science and technology, and drives economic development to improve the quality of life for North Carolinians, our nation, and the world. The college fulfills the land‑grant mission by embracing an interdisciplinary approach to achieve new scientific breakthroughs that translate into solutions to meet grand challenges involving food, farming, fiber, feed, families, health, energy, water, and the environment. The college comprises 12 academic departments, multiple research and extension units, and oversees 18 research stations and 4 field labs across the state. CALS Administration includes the office of the Dean and the offices of Research, Extension, Academics, Human Resources, and Business Operations.

The mission of the Office of College Advancement is to enhance, promote, and support the academic programs, research and extension efforts of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). Within CALS Advancement is The NC Agricultural Foundation, Inc. a non‑profit, 5013 organization formed as a means of supporting agricultural research, extension, and teaching activities in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University. The CALS Advancement team works in close partnership with the central University Advancement Office and its partner colleges.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well‑being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Propositionand learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

What we offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!

Attain Work‑life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Essential Job Duties

The Director of Philanthropy is responsible for identifying, qualifying, soliciting, and stewarding major gift donors to NC State University. This position will serve as a member of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Advancement team, reporting to a Senior Director of Philanthropy with an effort to maximize support to all areas of the College. As appropriate, the Director will also identify and coordinate the management of key volunteers. The Director will be expected to manage a portfolio of discovery and actively managed prospects while also collaborating with fundraising colleagues across campus.

Major Gift Prospect Identification, Cultivation, and Solicitation

• Identification, qualification, cultivation and solicitation of prospects to create and grow a pipeline of major gifts ($100,000 and above) donors.
• Strategic development and management of a portfolio with approximately 150 prospects and donors capable of making gifts of $100,000 or more.

Fundraising Strategy, Goals, and Portfolio Management

• Consistently meet or exceed annual goals for outreach contacts, qualifications, visits, proposals submitted, and funds raised.
• Creation and implementation of comprehensive strategies to leverage networks and maximize fundraising results.

Volunteer, Donor, and Campus Collaboration

• Identification, coordination and management of key volunteers.
• Collaboration with colleagues to help align donors' philanthropic interests with various priorities across campus.
• Coordination of stewardship efforts as needed with appropriate College Advancement and other campus colleagues.

Other Responsibilities

Other Duties, Events, and Travel

• Perform other duties as required or assigned.
• Attend a variety of events throughout the year.
• Regular travel (local and out of state) and occasional night and weekend work is required for this position.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in relevant discipline from an accredited college or university and a minimum of five (5) years or greater of experience, including 3 years of progressive advancement experience.

Other Required Qualifications

• Proven experience and demonstrated success in major individual gift fundraising, preferably in higher education, with a deep understanding of cultivating and soliciting prospects.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and ethics of successful fundraising and comprehensive capital campaigns.
• Proven relationship builder with the ability to form trusting relationships and work collaboratively with faculty, administrators, volunteers, alumni and colleagues.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills, with a high attention to detail and processes.
• Excellent listening, communication, and interpersonal skills; ability to communicate clearly in person and in writing.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic team environment.
• Unquestioned integrity.
• Self‑motivated and driven with an entrepreneurial approach to problem solving.
• Optimism, perseverance and a positive attitude.
• Computer literacy and competency with electronic donor information systems; including Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite.
• Experience in cold calling and negotiating and closing gifts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree relevant discipline from an accredited college or university and a minimum of five (5) years or greater of experience, including 3 years of progressive advancement experience.
• Progressive responsibility and experience in institutional advancement.
• Experience staffing an academic leader and developing fundraising strategies for an academic program.
• Proficiency in portfolio management, developing and executing prospect strategy per fundraising best practices.
• An understanding of the land grant, research Tier One university environment.

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

• Valid NC driver's license or the ability to obtain within 60 days of start.

Valid NC Driver's License required

Yes

Commercial Driver's License required

No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date

08/31/2026

Anticipated Close Date

Open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicant required documents: Cover Letter, CV/Resume, Contact Information for Professional References.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Position Details

Position Number

00112217

Position Type

Exempt Professional Staff

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)

1.00

Appointment

12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather

Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events

Non Mandatory - Emergency Event

Department ID

110199 - Agriculture Related Foundation

EEO

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability‑related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail].

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E‑Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.