Senior Director of Development

The University of North Carolina; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of North Carolina is seeking a Senior Director of Development to lead major gift fundraising for the William States Lee College of Engineering within UNC Charlotte’s ambitious For the Love of Charlotte Campaign. You will build a robust pipeline, craft compelling proposals, and work closely with the Dean and leadership to convert donor interest into transformative gifts.

Ideal candidates will have a proven history of six- and seven-figure commitments, exceptional

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; six+ years of professional major gift frontline fundraising experience preferred.
• Demonstrated track record securing six- and seven-figure gifts from high-net-worth individuals.
• Strong relationship management skills and ability to engage volunteers and senior leadership.
• Proficiency with fundraising databases and ability to translate academic initiatives into fundable opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Drive fundraising efforts for the College of Engineering and University-wide initiatives targeting gifts of $35,000+.
• Independently conduct high-volume discovery to identify new prospect pools and manage 125+ donor meetings annually.
• Maintain 125–150 major gift prospects in a moves management continuum with a focus on strategic solicitations.
• Develop and deploy innovative fundraising plans to meet campaign goals and university priorities.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Major gifts

Donor relationships

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Fundraising databases

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

A sign-on bonus may be available for select candidates based on specific fundraising expertise, but it is not guaranteed. Bonus eligibility will be determined on an individual basis during the final interview and offer stages.

• The finalist will be subject to a Criminal Background Check and/or a Motor Vehicle Report
• The Search Committee will not contact references without first verifying permission with the finalist.
• Please ensure your resume reflects the knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences to support your answers to the supplemental questions.

Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm; some evenings and weekends

Hours per week 40

FLSA Status

FLSA Status Exempt

Division

Division University Advancement

Department

Department Development (Adm)

Work Location

Work Location Foundation Building

Salary Range

Salary Range $110,000 - $130,000

Primary Purpose of Department

The Office of University Development is a core pillar within the Division of University Advancement, dedicated to building the philanthropic relationships that fuel UNC Charlotte’s mission. We engage a diverse network of alumni, donors, faculty, and corporate and community partners to accelerate philanthropic giving and drive institutional growth. Our work is currently centered on the For the Love of Charlotte campaign, a historic $500 million initiative and the largest in the University’s history. This campaign is a bold investment in our future, structured around three critical pillars: Student Success & Opportunity, Academic & Research Leadership, and Campus & Community Vibrancy. As we strive toward our goal, the impact of your work will be felt across a rapidly ascending institution. UNC Charlotte recently hit a milestone enrollment of over 32,000 students, making us one of the fastest-growing universities in the nation. As a newly designated R1 research institution, we are ranked among the top 100 public research universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. With nearly 200,000 alumni, the majority of whom remain in the Charlotte metropolitan area, our fundraising efforts directly power the talent pipeline for one of the nation’s most dynamic financial and technology hubs. By joining this team, you are not just raising funds; you are architecting the future of North Carolina’s urban research university during its most transformative era.

Primary Purpose of Position

The Senior Director of Development ( SDOD ) is an action-oriented fundraising leader with a documented history of driving six and seven-figure philanthropic results. As a primary architect of growth for the William States Lee College of Engineering , the SDOD must be a high achiever with a passion for high-impact discovery work and a natural relationship builder. This role requires a confident self-starter who excels in an autonomous environment and possesses the discipline to thrive with minimal supervision. A master connector, the SDOD utilizes strong relationship management skills to identify donor passions and strategically align them with university priorities. The SDOD is a skilled communicator and public speaker, adept at crafting and delivering compelling pitches that motivate and inspire donors to invest philanthropically in UNC Charlotte. As a key driver of the ambitious $500M For the Love of Charlotte Campaign, the SDOD will independently assess fundraising opportunities and deploy targeted strategies to drive revenue. In this pivotal role, the SDOD will serve as a strategic partner to the Dean and college leadership, engaging them in the development process to advance the College’s mission. By building a robust pipeline of major gift prospects, the SDOD will cultivate philanthropic partnerships with alumni, corporate leaders, and friends to ensure the University’s continued excellence and philanthropic success.

Summary of Position Responsibilities

• Drive efforts for the College and various University-wide initiatives to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward philanthropic gifts of $35,000+.
• Independently conduct high-volume discovery work to uncover new prospect pools, completing 125+ strategic donor meetings annually.
• Maintain and aggressively move a personal portfolio of 125-150 major gift prospects through the moves management continuum.
• Develop and deploy innovative fundraising plans specifically designed to meet the goals of the For the Love of Charlotte campaign.

Leadership & Executive Partnership

• Serve as the chief fundraiser for the William States Lee College of Engineering, act as a primary partner to the Dean and College leadership, strategically integrating them into the development cycle and preparing them for high-level solicitations.
• Craft and deliver persuasive philanthropic proposals and public presentations that articulate the College’s mission and inspire transformational investment.
• Provide leadership and professional mentorship to junior members of the Major Gifts team to foster a culture of high performance.
• Partner with faculty and department heads to translate complex academic and research initiatives into fundable philanthropic opportunities.
• Provide strategic support to the College board of advisors and volunteers that align with fundraising initiatives and event support goals.
• Collaborate with University Advancement partners, including Gift Planning, Annual Giving, Prospect Research, and Alumni Affairs, to maximize donor impact.
• Maintain precise and timely records in the advancement database, tracking all donor interactions, solicitations, and engagement metrics.
• Represent the University’s priorities and R1 status to external constituents, maintaining a deep knowledge of campus-wide strategic goals.
• Ensure all fundraising activities adhere to university policies, ethical standards, and legal procedures.

Other Responsibilities

• Attend a variety of University and College events throughout the year, serving as a representative of the Advancement office.
• Ability for local, regional, and out-of-state travel is required.
• Consistently meet or exceed individual metrics and annual fundraising production goals.
• Perform other duties as required and assigned.
• Bachelor’s degree with 6+ years of professional experience related to major gift frontline fundraising, nonprofit management, sales, financial advising, business administration, or relationship management.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Proven track record of securing six and seven figure philanthropic gifts, with familiarity securing high net worth major and planned gifts.
• Demonstrated experience engaging and working with volunteers, along with a passion for the University’s mission and the ability to effectively articulate its impact.
• Team-oriented, self-motivated professional with strong organizational skills and the ability to proactively manage complex tasks and multiple priorities.
• Proficiency with fundraising databases and software.

Necessary Certifications/Licenses

• A valid driver’s license.

Preferred Certifications/Licenses

• CFRE preferred.

Special Notes to Applicants

A sign-on bonus may be available for select candidates based on specific fundraising expertise, but it is not guaranteed. Bonus eligibility will be determined on an individual basis during the final interview and offer stages.

• The finalist will be subject to a Criminal Background Check and/or a Motor Vehicle Report
• The Search Committee will not contact references without first verifying permission with the finalist.
• Please ensure your resume reflects the knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences to support your answers to the supplemental questions.

If time-limited please indicate appointment end date

Contact Information