Job Details
Department: University Development Office-250100
Career Area: Development and Fundraising
Posting Open Date: 08/05/2026
Application Deadline: 08/19/2026
Open Until Filled: No
Position Type: Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)
Working Title: Director of Development for Principal Gift Strategies
Appointment Type: EHRA Non-Faculty
Position Number: 20015007
Vacancy ID: NF0009939
Full Time/Part Time: Full-Time Permanent
FTE: 1
Hours per week: 40
Position Location: North Carolina, US
Hiring Range: Based on qualifications/experience, internal equity, and departmental budget restrictions
Proposed Start Date: 09/21/2026
Be a Tar Heel!: A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn. One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community. University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:
University Development’s purpose is to support the mission of the university by raising private resources to enhance financial support for students, faculty, programs, and facilities. University Development provides leadership and centralized services to all development offices throughout the University, serving as a focal point for annual giving, application development and IT support; campaign management; constituent programs; corporate and foundation relations; donor relations; gift planning; gift services; industry relations; marketing/communications; parents giving; principal gifts; prospect management, research and analytics; regional programs; scholarships and student aid; talent management; university events; and volunteer engagement.
Carolina Development is proud of its donor-centered philosophy, pursuing activities that always respect the interests and intentions of the donor as well as the University. The organization’s collaborative nature is a critical component to fulfilling our mission of raising private funds to benefit the university.
Location, Location, Location
- Want to live in Chapel Hill? If so, we have tons of perks to offer you. Discounts and access to many UNC-CH athletics, Performing Arts, Gym memberships and many more on campus and local community opportunities along with a perks program that provides employees with over 800 local deals.
- Want to live outside of Chapel Hill but still in the area? You have a choice of smaller communities, cities, or even suburbs in areas like Raleigh and Durham. Both living experiences offer a multitude of advantages designed to fit your needs and still enjoy the perks offered by UNC-CH.
Tuition & Fee Waiver Program: Check out our Tuition & Fee Waivers Programs – https://hr.unc.edu/benefits/educational-assistance/tuition-waivers/
Benefits: Explore the benefits of working at UNC-CH – https://hr.unc.edu/benefits/
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and transferable skills!
Position Summary:
This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station in Chapel Hill, NC.
The Director of Development for Principal Gift Strategies serves as the principal lead for a portfolio of approximately 15-25 high-capacity donors and prospects, overseeing relationships from late-stage cultivation through proposal development, solicitation, gift closure, and long-term stewardship. This role partners closely with development officers during the final stages of principal gift conversations, ensuring adherence to best practices, and supporting the achievement of transformational philanthropic outcomes. Working in collaboration with chief development officers and senior leadership, the Director ensures that principal gift strategies are comprehensive, executable, and aligned with institutional priorities; that gift concepts are thoroughly vetted and viable; and that prospects are appropriately prepared to receive seven-, eight-, or nine-figure proposals. The Director also serves as a continuity and risk-mitigation resource for donor relationships, providing stability, strategic oversight, and assurance throughout the cultivation and solicitation process. In addition, the Director provides supervision and oversight of assigned staff, including hiring, coaching, training, assigning work, and managing performance to ensure a high-functioning principal gifts team.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:
Minimum of a bachelor’s degree required (or foreign degree equivalent) with related experience. For positions with responsibility for direct solicitation of gifts and funds, a minimum of 1 year of professional-level, direct solicitation/fundraising experience is required.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:
The Director of Development for Principal Gift Strategies will be a seasoned and polished professional who knows and understands the nature and purpose of higher education. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills required. Demonstrated ability to interact effectively and collaboratively in a comprehensive, research university setting with a proven record of accomplishments. An ability to work effectively with volunteer leaders. The drive to be successful. Exceptional organizational skills.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:
Five to seven years of progressive fundraising and/or communications experience.
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities:
Not Applicable.
Organization
The nation’s first public university is at the heart of what’s next, preparing a diverse student body to become creators, explorers, innovators and leaders in North Carolina and throughout the world. Carolina’s nationally recognized, innovative teaching, campus-wide spirit of inquiry and dedication to public service continue the legacy that began in 1795 when the University first opened its doors to students.
Here, in one of America's most beautiful college settings, we offer exceptional careers in richly diverse fields. Come explore what UNC-Chapel Hill has to offer you.
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 19,117
- Graduate/Professional Enrollment: 10,894
- Total Student Enrollment: 30,011
- Founded: 1789, as the first state university in the United States
- Type of Institution: Public, four-year
- Undergraduate Admission: 15,961
- Graduate/Professional Enrollment: 10,039
- Total Student Enrollment: 26,000
- Faculty: 3,000
- Percentage of faculty who hold Ph.D.s or the highest degrees in their field: 94 percent
- Faculty/student ratio: 1/14
- Location: UNC is located in the heart of Chapel Hill, the best college town in America! It's a friendly town of about 40,000 in the geographical center of North Carolina. Chapel Hill is at the western point of the Research Triangle, an area of about one million people, comprised of Chapel Hill, the cities of Durham and Raleigh, and the Research Triangle Park, home of many corporate offices and scientific research centers. Carolina is about 30 miles from the state capital, Raleigh, and 20 minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
- Chapel Hill's main street, Franklin Street, borders the campus and offers shops, coffee houses, cafés, movie theaters and houses of worship. The town has a historic district, museum, library, parks, malls, and many recreational facilities.
- Origins of Carolina's students: 82 percent of UNC's freshmen are from North Carolina and 18 percent are from out-of-state. Our students come from 42 different states and our international students represent 37 countries.
- Size of freshman class: Approximately 3,400
- Class size: Barely five percent of undergraduate classes contain more than 100 students; two-thirds of undergraduate classes have fewer than 30 students. Forty-one percent have fewer than 20 students, including First Year Seminars, in which first-year students work closely with professors.
- Sports and athletic programs: UNC is an NCAA Division I school with 28 varsity teams. Carolina is the proud home of the Dean Smith Center, Kenan Stadium, Carmichael Auditorium, Koury Natatorium, and many other fine athletic facilities. Students join more than 60 intramural and club sports, which include baseball, bowling, crew, golf, lacrosse, rock climbing, rugby, tae kwon do, and ultimate frisbee. The Student Recreation Center offers weight training, aerobics, stair machines, and all the equipment you would expect to find at a great health club! Carolina offers a newly renovated outdoor pool and indoor pools, a golf course, tennis courts, and the longest zipline in America!
- Number of residence halls: Incoming undergraduates will live in one of Carolina's 29 residence halls, which are wired for Internet access and cable television. housing.unc.edu
- Scholarships and financial aid: About 40 percent of UNC-Chapel Hill students receive scholarships and/or some form of financial aid. studentaid.unc.edu
- Special research institutes: Institute for Research in Social Science, Institute of Outdoor Drama, Morehead Planetarium, Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, Institute of Government, Institute of African American Research.
- Career services: On-campus counseling, job fairs, résumé writing service, internships, placement services. www.unc.edu/depts/career
- Technological facilities: Students find multiple uses for Carolina's state-of-the-art technological resources. They can access Carolina's computer services through Academic Technology and Networks, which manages academic computing, e-mail, microcomputing labs, interactive media presentation, video and classroom support, and a help desk. The MetaLab oversees the development of SunSITE, one of the world's busiest digital library and electronic publishing projects.
- Students may open e-mail accounts, and many use campus computer resources to construct personal Web pages. Students in residence halls have hardwired network connections to the Internet and cable television in their rooms. At the ATN Training center, students may take classes on software packages and utilities. Computer labs are available for student use all over campus.
- Carolina Computing Initiative: Beginning with the freshman class of 2000, undergraduates must purchase laptop computers. The University has arranged for IBM to offer computers at excellent prices. Students, faculty, and staff will enjoy cost savings, higher quality compatible equipment, and better technical support through CCI. www.unc.edu/cci
- The Study Abroad program allows students to live and learn in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Rim, Africa, and the Americas. www.unc.edu/depts/abroad
- The Honors Program offers special seminars, research programs, and the chance to design your own independent studies. www.unc.edu/depts/honors
- Carolina students spend time in public service through student organizations, the Campus Y, the Carolina Center for Public Service, and courses that incorporate community service.
- UNC's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a national collegiate honor society, is the oldest in North Carolina, dating from 1904. There are many other honorary societies at Carolina.
- UNC offers ROTC programs in all branches of national military service.
- Through the First Year Seminars program, first year students will understand what it means to study at a premier research university. They will learn from faculty members and share in their research in seminars of no more than 20 students.
- Life outside the classroom: More than 370 clubs, teams, and student organizations offer something for everyone! You can choose from among musical and dramatic performing groups, publications, ethnic and religious clubs, the Campus Y and other service organizations, fraternities and sororities, and pre-professional organizations. Whatever your interests, you will find others at Carolina who share them! www.unc.edu/depts/union/student/listintr.htm
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