Executive Director of Philanthropy

NC State University; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Flexible Spending Account

Retirement Programs

Disability Plans

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off

12 Holidays Each Year

Tuition and Academic Assistance

Wellness Programs

Job summary

NC State University’s Poole College of Management seeks an Executive Director of Philanthropy to lead the college’s comprehensive fundraising program and cultivate major gifts. Reporting to the Dean, this senior role guides a five-person philanthropy team and partners with University Advancement and college leadership.

The successful candidate will expand the donor pipeline, manage seven- and eight-figure gifts, and shape strategies to align philanthropy with college priorities.

Qualifications

• Minimum Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree and at least eight years in major gift fundraising and advancement leadership.
• Experience developing and implementing comprehensive fundraising strategies including campaigns.
• Experience managing institutional advancement staff and volunteer boards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the college’s comprehensive fundraising strategy, including annual planning, goal setting, and donor engagement.
• Maintain an active portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and personally solicit donors.
• Partner with the Dean and University Advancement to develop compelling philanthropic opportunities.
• Lead and develop a team of philanthropy professionals and foster a donor-centered culture.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Major gifts

Donor relations

Strategic planning

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Posting Number:

PG194902EP

Internal Recruitment :

No

Working Title:

Executive Director of Philanthropy

Anticipated Hiring Range:

Commensurate with education and experience.

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (weekends and nights as needed)

Job Location:

Raleigh, NC

Department :

Dean's Office - Poole College Of Management

About the Department:

North Carolina State Universitywas 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 frontier 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.

This is an opportunity for a strategic, relationship-driven advancement leader to partner with a dynamic dean, an engaged college community, and a committed University Advancement team to shape the next chapter of philanthropic growth for Poole College.

The Poole College of Management actively engages with industry, alumni, and academic partners to create an innovative and collaborative environment that advances learning, scholarship, service, and real-world impact. We’re deeply rooted in NC State’s history as a university that excels at science, technology, engineering, and math.

Our college’s varied student body — over 4,800 students — hails from across North Carolina, the United States, and the world. Our faculty are thought leaders and field-tested experts with enduring ties to the world of business.

Poole College of Management has six academic departments: Accounting: Economics; Finance; Information, Technology, Operations, and Analytics; Marketing; and Management, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. We offer bachelor’s degrees in accounting, business administration, economics; master’s degrees in accounting, business administration (MBA), economics, management (including specialized degrees); as well as a doctoral degree in economics. Among our non-degree programs, we offer Executive Education and graduate certificates.

The college houses six initiatives fostering research, learning, and corporate engagement: Business Analytics Initiative, Business Sustainability Collaborative, Enterprise Risk Management Initiative, Entrepreneurship Clinic, Financial Literacy Initiative, and Supply Chain Resource Cooperative. The college is fully accredited by the AACSB.

To learn more about our College, visit: https://poole.ncsu.edu

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 Proposition and 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 Poole College of Management at NC State University seeks an accomplished and collaborative advancement leader to serve as its Executive Director of Philanthropy. This senior leadership position provides strategic direction and oversight for the College’s comprehensive fundraising program while maintaining an active role in cultivating and securing significant philanthropic support.

Reporting to the Dean of the Poole College of Management, with a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for University Development, the Executive Director will lead a team of five philanthropy professionals and collaborate closely with University Advancement, faculty and College leadership, alumni, corporate and foundation partners, volunteers, and other key stakeholders.

The Executive Director will develop and execute strategies to expand philanthropic support for the College’s priorities, strengthen the donor pipeline, and increase major, leadership-level, and transformational giving.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the College’s comprehensive fundraising strategy, including annual planning, goal setting, campaign initiatives, pipeline development, and donor engagement.
• Maintain an active portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and personally participate in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors.
• Partner with the Dean, University Advancement, faculty, and College leadership to develop compelling philanthropic opportunities aligned with institutional priorities.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of five philanthropy professionals, establishing clear expectations and fostering a collaborative, accountable, and donor-centered culture.
• Build strategies to identify and advance prospects capable of making leadership-level, seven-figure, and transformational investments.
• Engage the Poole College Advisory Board, alumni, corporate partners, foundations, and other volunteer leaders in support of the College’s philanthropic priorities.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for Poole College and build strong relationships across the university and with external stakeholders.
• Provide leadership for the continued growth and evolution of the philanthropy program by encouraging innovation, evaluating opportunities, and aligning resources with strategic priorities.
• Monitor fundraising performance and ensure effective prospect management, reporting, budgeting, compliance, and operational practices.
• Collaborate across University Advancement to maximize philanthropic opportunities and strengthen long-term donor engagement.

Core Responsibilities

1. Leading People: The Executive Director will lead and develop a high-performing philanthropy team by fostering a collaborative, accountable and donor-centered culture. This role will provide mentorship, establish clear expectations and support the professional growth and success of staff.
2. Leading Change: The Executive Director will help guide the continued growth and evolution of the organization by fostering innovation, encouraging collaboration, and embracing new opportunities and ideas. This leader will be adaptable in a dynamic environment, thoughtfully aligning priorities, resources, and initiatives with the long-term goals of the organization. Working closely with internal and external partners, the Executive Director will help cultivate a shared vision that strengthens the organization’s impact, advances strategic objectives, and positions it for sustained success
3. Results Driven: The Executive Director will be an inspiring and visible leader who will engage the collective talents and energies of the development team in collaboration with the AVC for University Development and University Advancement to develop areas of highest potential including donor pipeline building, campaign planning and implementation. They will make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, and solving problems. They will hold self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, results. They will be committed to continuous improvement.
4. Transformational Giving: In partnership with the Dean, University Advancement leadership, the Leadership gifts team and the Principal Gifts team, the Executive Director will help identify, cultivate, solicit and steward prospects capable of making seven-figure and transformational investments in the College. This role will build strategies to grow the pipeline for leadership and principal gifts, align donor interests with college priorities, and collaborate across the university to maximize philanthropic opportunities and long-term donor engagement.

Other Responsibilities

• Perform other duties as required or assigned.
• Attend a variety of events throughout the year.
• Regular travel and occasional night and weekend work is required.
• Supervise permanent employees.

Minimum Education and Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree plus alternative or equivalent professional training and experience is required.
• At least eight years of progressively responsible experience in major gift fundraising and advancement leadership is required.
• Experience developing and successful implementation of comprehensive fund-raising strategies, including campaigns.
• Experience managing institutional advancement staff.
• Experience managing volunteer boards.

Other Required Qualifications

• Proven leadership skills that nurture an accountable, goal-oriented and values-based team environment.
• Robust knowledge of institutional fundraising in a large, complex organization.
• Demonstrated success in personally cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major and principal gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations with a sound knowledge of principles, practices and ethics of charitable giving.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills; along with outstanding written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to serve as a critical and trusted leader and partner displaying evidence of high integrity, honesty and trustworthiness.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategic plans, implement programs and manage and implement change.
• Deep commitment to a collaborative and collegial team approach.
• Strong track record of working effectively with volunteers, faculty and administrators, engaging them in the life of the institution and assisting them in improving their effectiveness in all aspects of fundraising.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise a high degree of sound judgement and diplomacy, and a commitment to confidentiality are essential.
• Experience managing and motivating advancement professionals.

Preferred Qualifications

• A master’s degree is preferred along with at least eight years in fundraising at a research university or research institute.
• Previous campaign experience is preferable along with a strong knowledge of all aspects of corporate/foundation, individual and planned giving.
• An understanding of the land grant, research Tier One university environment.
• Familiarity with NC State University.
• Management and oversight experience of a foundation or 501©3 nonprofit.

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

• A valid North Carolina Driver’s License is required within 60 days of the start date. Must be maintained as a condition of employment.

Valid NC Driver's License required

Yes

Commercial Driver's License required

No

Job Open Date

09/23/2026

Anticipated Close Date

Open until filled

Position Number

00007328

Position Type

EPS/SAAO

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

200101 - Dean's Office - Poole College Of Management

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.