Assistant Director of Development and Donor Relations

Job Details

Posting Number: PG194679EP

Internal Recruitment: No

Working Title: Assistant Director of Development and Donor Relations

Anticipated Hiring Range: $70,000 - $76,000

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

Job Location: Raleigh, North Carolina

Department: Dean's Office - Poole College Of Management

About the Department

The Poole College of Management actively engages with industry and academia to create an innovative and collaborative intellectual environment that fosters learning, scholarship, and service. 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 4,000 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 Analytics and Operations (ITAO), Marketing, Management, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (MIE). We offer bachelor’s degrees in accounting, business administration, and economics; master’s degrees in accounting, business administration (MBA), economics, and management (including specialized degrees); as well as joint doctoral degrees in economics and operations research. 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, Entrepreneurship Collaborative, and Supply Chain Resource Cooperative. The college is fully accredited by the AACSB.

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

Essential Job Duties

Poole College of Management is seeking a strategic and relationship-focused professional to serve as the Assistant Director of Development and Donor Relations. This position plays a vital role in advancing the college’s fundraising and engagement goals by building meaningful connections with donors, alumni, and key stakeholders while demonstrating the impact of philanthropic support.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Development and working closely with the development and external relations team, the Assistant Director will lead donor relations and stewardship efforts that strengthen engagement, enhance the donor experience, and support annual, major, and planned giving initiatives.

Key Responsibilities, include but not limited to:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive donor relations and stewardship strategy that supports fundraising priorities and strengthens long-term donor engagement.
• Lead the creation and delivery of donor-focused communications across digital, print, and social media platforms to effectively communicate impact and inspire continued support.
• Collaborate with University Advancement and campus partners to ensure alignment with institutional priorities, policies, and best practices.
• Oversee stewardship initiatives, including gift acknowledgments, donor recognition programs, and customized engagement strategies tailored to donor interests and giving levels.
• Partner with the Marketing and Communications team to produce fundraising and engagement materials, including appeals, newsletters, annual reports, and donor stories.
• Manage scholarship and endowment stewardship activities to ensure compliance with donor intent and university guidelines.
• Coordinate reporting for endowed and current-use funds, ensuring transparency, accuracy, and effective utilization in collaboration with campus partners.
• Identify innovative opportunities to enhance donor engagement and elevate the overall donor experience.
• Supervise student staff and support the daily operations of donor relations activities.
• Contribute to budget planning and operational management within the Office of Development and External Relations.

Work Environment
This position is part of a collaborative, mission-driven team committed to advancing the success of Poole College of Management and is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

Other Responsibilities

• The Assistant Director will also provide support to general development inquiries and assistance donors-related with activities (gift processing, tax receipting, pledge administration, events, and various other topics), as required or assigned.
• Occasional night and weekend work are required.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and one year of experience related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Other Required Qualifications

• Strong organizational, analytical, writing, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate complex donor relations and fundraising concepts to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated leadership in donor relations, stewardship, and fundraising support.
• Professional, reliable, adaptable, and self-motivated with sound judgment and discretion.
• Proven ability to collaborate across teams, manage multiple projects, and work independently or collaboratively.
• Proficiency with CRM/database systems (e.g., Advance), Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace, with the ability to quickly learn new technologies.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, and guidelines accurately.
• Knowledge of or experience in higher education fundraising, marketing, or communications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and five year of experience related to the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Experience in a University work setting.
• Experience leading fundraising engagement and alumni relations preferred.