Major Gifts Director – Law School

North Carolina Central University

Durham (NC)

Hybrid

USD 90,000 - 140,000

Full time

6 days ago

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Job summary

North Carolina Central University’s School of Law is seeking a Director of Development to lead fundraising efforts and advance philanthropic support. The role focuses on building a robust major gifts program, cultivating relationships with donors, and guiding strategies with school leadership to secure transformative commitments.

You will manage a 100–125 prospect portfolio, pursue gifts of $25,000 and above, and collaborate across university partners to align priorities with donor interests.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and a minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in major gifts, corporate relations, foundation relations, development, sales, business development, or a closely related field.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of approximately 100-125 qualified major gift prospects, with responsibility for advancing prospects through the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship process.
Develop and execute individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies designed to build meaningful relationships and align donor interests with the strategic priorities of the School of Law and the University.
Achieve established annual performance metrics for meaningful donor engagement, including documented prospect contacts, cultivation activities, strategy development, proposals, and fundraising outcomes.
Solicit major gifts of $25,000 and above, with a strong emphasis on securing six- and seven-figure commitments that advance key priorities and initiatives of the School of Law.
Collaborate with University and School of Law leadership on principal gift strategies, coordinating engagement with senior administrators, faculty, and other key stakeholders to cultivate and secure transformational philanthropic investments.
Develop and maintain personal relationships with a portfolio of individual prospects, including conducting in-person visits and other meaningful engagement activities to cultivate, solicit, and steward philanthropic support for the School of Law.
Partner with Corporate and Foundation Relations to identify funding opportunities and develop coordinated institutional proposals that support the strategic priorities of the School of Law and the University.
Collaborate with campus partners and key stakeholders, in coordination with the Dean and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Development, to develop and implement effective fundraising and donor engagement strategies.
Engage and cultivate relationships with alumni to strengthen their connection to the School of Law, increase alumni involvement, and build philanthropic support for the school’s programs and priorities.
Maintain accurate and timely prospect activity records in the University’s CRM, documenting donor interactions, engagement strategies, solicitation activity, proposals, and outcomes.
Prepare and coordinate fundraising proposals, donor briefing materials, and other supporting documentation to facilitate effective engagement by University and School of Law leadership.
Ensure compliance with University fundraising policies, procedures, donor clearance processes, and applicable institutional guidelines in all development and advancement activities.
Travel as required to support donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, alumni engagement, fundraising activities, and other University-related development initiatives.
Develop and implement comprehensive donor stewardship plans that promote meaningful engagement, demonstrate the impact of philanthropic support, and encourage continued giving.
Coordinate appropriate donor recognition activities to acknowledge and celebrate philanthropic contributions in accordance with University policies and donor preferences.
Prepare and provide donor impact reports that communicate how gifts and contributions are supporting the School of Law, its students, programs, and strategic priorities.
Cultivate and maintain long‑term relationships with donors to strengthen engagement, encourage continued philanthropic support, and build lasting partnerships with the School of Law and the University.

Skills

Corporate partnerships

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Working Title

Working Title Director of Development - School of Law

Position Number

Position Number 616050

FLSA

FLSA Exempt

Appointment Type

Appointment Type Permanent - Full Time

Tenure Track No

FTE

FTE 1 = 40 hours/week, 12 months

Department Hiring Range

Department Hiring Range The salary is competitive and will be determined based on the candidate’s educational background, relevant experience, qualifications, and demonstrated expertise.

EEO-1 Category

EEO-1 Category Officials & Managers

SOC Code

Position Overview

Be an Eagle - Where Purpose Takes Flight!

Are you ready to make an impact? At North Carolina Central University ( NCCU ), we are more than an institution—we are a community rooted in a legacy of excellence and transformation. A historically Black university located in Durham, North Carolina, also known as ‘The City of Medicine,’ NCCU has been a cornerstone of education since 1910, fostering innovation and progress.

Join our team and enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and exclusive perks designed to support your work-life balance. At NCCU , your professional growth will be nurtured, and your contributions will help shape the future for our students and the community we serve. Become part of a legacy that drives change and achievement.

An opportunity awaits you at NCCU , where your purpose can take flight.
Visit NCCU .edu .

Employee Benefits

Employee Benefits available to NCCU permanent employees include the following and more:

Accrued Vacation and Sick Leave
Community Service Leave
NCFlex – Vision, Dental, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance and more
11-12 Paid Holidays
Teachers and State Employees Retirement System ( TSERS )
Optional Supplemental Plans – 401k, 403b, 457b and 457
Employee Assistance Program ( EAP )
Campus Recreation Center Discount
University Bookstore Discount and more.

Primary Function of Organizational Unit

The Division of Institutional Advancement advances a culture of philanthropy through the engagement of alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents and friends (both individually and in the corporate community) in support of the Institution’s mission of preparing students to become global leaders and practitioners who transform communities. By using creative strategies to enhance the University’s image, the office promotes the overall mission of North Carolina Central University to its external publics in order to solicit and acquire philanthropic support

Primary Purpose of Position

The Director of Development is responsible for advancing philanthropic support for the North Carolina Central University School of Law by managing a portfolio of prospective and current donors and identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects. The position focuses on expanding the pipeline of major gift opportunities of $25,000 and above and securing private support for the School of Law’s strategic priorities. The Director of Development works collaboratively with the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Development, Dean, department heads, faculty, staff, and volunteer advisory boards to identify and advance philanthropic priorities and develop effective fundraising strategies. The position participates in regular strategy meetings with the Dean and Assistant Vice Chancellor to evaluate prospect activity, coordinate donor engagement, and align fundraising efforts with the School’s priorities. Reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Development, the Director of Development plays a key role in building donor relationships and securing resources that support the mission, programs, and long-term strategic goals of the School of Law.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Preferred:

Corporate partnerships

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and a minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in major gifts, corporate relations, foundation relations, development, sales, business development, or a closely related field. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Licenses or Certification required by Statute or Regulation

N/A

Pre-Employment Requirement

Pre-Employment Requirements:

You must complete and submit an electronic application for employment to be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application.
Applicants seeking Veteran’s Preference must attach a DD 214 form or those seeking National Guard Preference must attach as NG23A form. Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty with your application during the process of applying to the job posting.
Final candidates are subject to criminal background checks, and education/license verification prior to employment.
North Carolina Central 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Consistent with the policy of the State of North Carolina, North Carolina Central University ( NCCU ) reaffirms that it has been, and will continue to be, the policy of this University to be an equal opportunity employer. North Carolina Central University is committed to providing educational opportunities and prohibits discrimination against students, applicants, employees, or visitors based on race, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, or veteran status. Any individual alleging discrimination based on sexual orientation cannot grieve beyond the University’s internal grievance process. In keeping with this policy, and to further the principle of equal opportunity, all other personnel matters such as recruitment, selection, hiring, promotion, compensation, performance appraisal, disciplinary actions, benefits, transfers, separations, reduction in force, grievance procedures, company-sponsored training, education, tuition assistance, and social and recreational programs will also continue to be administered in accordance with this policy.

Work Location

Work Location Fully On-site (dedicated office at Duty Station)

Primary Responsibilities and Duties

Function

Function Major Gift Development

Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.

Manage a portfolio of approximately 100–125 qualified major gift prospects, with responsibility for advancing prospects through the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship process.
Develop and execute individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies designed to build meaningful relationships and align donor interests with the strategic priorities of the School of Law and the University.
Achieve established annual performance metrics for meaningful donor engagement, including documented prospect contacts, cultivation activities, strategy development, proposals, and fundraising outcomes.
Solicit major gifts of $25,000 and above, with a strong emphasis on securing six- and seven-figure commitments that advance key priorities and initiatives of the School of Law.
Collaborate with University and School of Law leadership on principal gift strategies, coordinating engagement with senior administrators, faculty, and other key stakeholders to cultivate and secure transformational philanthropic investments.

Function

Function Engagement and Collaboration

Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.

Develop and maintain personal relationships with a portfolio of individual prospects, including conducting in-person visits and other meaningful engagement activities to cultivate, solicit, and steward philanthropic support for the School of Law.
Partner with Corporate and Foundation Relations to identify funding opportunities and develop coordinated institutional proposals that support the strategic priorities of the School of Law and the University.
Collaborate with campus partners and key stakeholders, in coordination with the Dean and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Development, to develop and implement effective fundraising and donor engagement strategies.
Engage and cultivate relationships with alumni to strengthen their connection to the School of Law, increase alumni involvement, and build philanthropic support for the school’s programs and priorities.

Function

Function Advancement Operations

Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.

Maintain accurate and timely prospect activity records in the University’s CRM , documenting donor interactions, engagement strategies, solicitation activity, proposals, and outcomes.
Prepare and coordinate fundraising proposals, donor briefing materials, and other supporting documentation to facilitate effective engagement by University and School of Law leadership.
Ensure compliance with University fundraising policies, procedures, donor clearance processes, and applicable institutional guidelines in all development and advancement activities.
Travel as required to support donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, alumni engagement, fundraising activities, and other University-related development initiatives.

Function

Function Donor Stewardship

Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.

Develop and implement comprehensive donor stewardship plans that promote meaningful engagement, demonstrate the impact of philanthropic support, and encourage continued giving.
Coordinate appropriate donor recognition activities to acknowledge and celebrate philanthropic contributions in accordance with University policies and donor preferences.
Prepare and provide donor impact reports that communicate how gifts and contributions are supporting the School of Law, its students, programs, and strategic priorities.
Cultivate and maintain long-term relationships with donors to strengthen engagement, encourage continued philanthropic support, and build lasting partnerships with the School of Law and the University.

Posting Number

Posting Number EPA03566P

Open Date

Open Date 09/10/2026

Priority Applicant Consideration Date

Priority Applicant Consideration Date 10/10/2026

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Date Position Available

Special Instructions to Applicants

Required Documents

Resume/CV