Assistant Director of Leadership Annual Giving – Education/Design

Posted on 12/15/2022

NC State University

Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University (NC State) was founded in 1887 with the purpose of creating economic, societal, and intellectual prosperity for the people of North Carolina. Today it is the largest university in North Carolina with more than 34,000 high-performing students, 8,000 pre-eminent faculty and staff, and over 260,000 living alumni. NC State is known for its leadership in research, education, and service and as a research-extensive university. The University consistently ranks among the top public national universities and as one of the best values in higher education.

Primary Function of Organizational Unit:
University Advancement (UA) secures support for NC State University by raising funds from private sources, engaging current and future alumni, building a culture of philanthropy, and enhancing the university’s reputation through integrated marketing and communications. UA fills its mission through the operations of four main units: University Development, which seeks and obtains philanthropic support; Alumni Engagement, which fosters and maintains mutually rewarding relationships with the university’s alumni; University Communications and Marketing, NC State’s dedicated communications agency; and Advancement Services, which provides information management and other key support functions to all University Advancement units.
The Office of Annual Giving focuses on developing all philanthropy to the University up to the Major Gifts Level ($50,000). The office utilizes multiple channels for completing its mission. A major focus of the Office of Annual Giving is Leadership Annual Giving focusing on individuals and families that have the capacity to give at a level of $1,000-$50,000 annually. The Office of Annual Giving partners with colleges and units across campus to identify and cultivate donors at this level and to develop unified strategies for these donors.
Essential Job Duties: 
The Assistant Director of Leadership Annual Giving Education/Designis responsible for the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors with the capacity to give at the level of $1,000 – $50,000. S/he will be a highly motivated professional who will be deeply involved in the fundraising efforts in support of current operations and endowment from individual donors with an emphasis on new donor acquisition, upgrades, growing membership of the Chancellor’s Circle, and developing a pipeline for major gifts. Solicitations will be multi-channel including, but not limited to phone calls, mail, emails, and personal meetings in regional areas of high alumni concentration.

Reporting to the Director of Leadership Annual Giving, this position will serve as a part of the University Development team and will work to support all areas of the University and, particularly, the assigned colleges or units. The Assistant Director will be expected to develop and cultivate relationships with a portfolio of approximately leadership annual giving prospects. He or she will work with the Executive Director of Annual Giving and the Development offices in any assigned colleges or units to develop strategies relating to their portfolio.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Assistant of Leadership Annual Giving Education/Design:
  • Plan, design, implement and evaluate strategies to obtain outright annual gifts and pledges;
  • Identification, qualification, cultivation, and solicitation of leadership annual giving prospects to create and grow a pipeline of Chancellor Circle members and major gift ($50,000 and above) donors;
  • Conduct at least 250 personal contacts with prospects and donors annually and participate in 20 solicitations per month;
  • Strategic development and management of a portfolio with approximately 250 prospects and donors capable of making gifts of $1,000 – $50,000;
  • Partner with the Advancement Research team as well as the Annual Giving team to identify prospective donors and strategically assess their philanthropic capacity and inclination;
  • Be an active and collaborative team member in Alumni Engagement Annual Giving and University Advancement;
  • Make donor referrals to University Development and campus-wide gift officers, as appropriate;
  • Provide timely post-visit follow-up including tracking moves and solicitations, and sending a personalized follow-up to individual prospects;
  • Collaboration with colleagues to help align donors’ philanthropic interests with various priorities across campus;
  • Coordination of stewardship efforts as needed with appropriate University Advancement and other campus colleagues;
  • Attend university-wide events and University Advancement related meetings.

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.

Minimum Education and Experience: 

Bachelor’s degree required with at least one-year related experience.

Other Required Qualifications: 

  • Ability to work effectively as part of a dynamic team in a large, complex research university;
  • Experience in cold calling, negotiating, and closing business deals;
  • Ability to work independently, while maintaining consistent and transparent communication with a team and leadership;
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
  • Strong organizational and analytical skills, with high attention to detail;
  • Self-motivated and self-starting;
  • Good listener;
  • Optimism, perseverance, and a positive attitude;
  • Ability to travel around the region;
  • Ability to work evenings and weekends as required;
  • Computer literacy.

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • Three or more years of successful experience in fundraising, annual giving, or a closely related field;
  • Knowledge of principles, practices, and ethics of fundraising;
  • Understanding of the development process and donor cycle;
  • Volunteer management experience;
  • Prior experience in a comprehensive capital campaign;
  • Experience in higher education fundraising;
  • An understanding of the land-grant, research Tier One university environment;
  • Familiarity with NC State University and the Triangle.

Required Licenses: 

  • A valid North Carolina Driver’s License is required within 60 days of the start date. Must be maintained as a condition of employment.
  • Regular local travel and some regional/out-of-state travel are required for this position.

Special Instructions to Applicants: 

Please attach a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-515-3148 to speak with a representative at the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity.

To apply for this job please visit jobs.ncsu.edu.