Director of Development

Employer

Winston-Salem State University

Location

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States

Salary

$85,000-$95,000

Date posted

Dec 8, 2025

Position Type

Administrative, Academic Affairs, Faculty Affairs, Business & Administrative Affairs, Development & Advancement, Alumni Affairs

Employment Type

Full Time

Position Details

Classification Information

Position Classification Title: Development Professional, Director

FLSA: Exempt

Position Class: 80465

Position Summary

Join the Ramily!

Winston-Salem State University’s Office of Advancement has four (4) openings for a Director of Development assigned to one of WSSU’s colleges. This job posting will remain live until all four vacancies are filled.

The Director of Development (DoD) is a leader on the development team within the Division of University Advancement. A successful DoD will be a proactive and collaborative member of this dynamic team and a champion for the university’s highest funding priorities as we continue to plan for our next campaign.

The Director of Development is responsible for leading fundraising efforts within an assigned college at Winston-Salem State University. Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, this position works collaboratively with faculty, staff, alumni, and university leadership to design and execute strategies to secure philanthropic support for scholarships, academic programs, research, faculty initiatives, and capital needs.

The Director manages a personal portfolio of prospects, cultivates and solicits major gifts, and stewards donors to strengthen lifelong relationships with the university. This role requires an entrepreneurial approach, strong communication skills, and the ability to align donor interests with the strategic priorities of the college and WSSU.

The DoD is responsible for raising at least $1,500,000 in new commitments annually and increasing this amount over time as the school’s major and principal gift pipeline develops.

Job Duties

Major Gift Fundraising and Stewardship

• This position is responsible for identifying, qualifying, visiting, cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding donors to raise major gifts within a designated academic unit.
• Responsible for meeting aggressive fundraising metrics, which are established annually, with minimal supervision.
• Works closely with Advancement colleagues, university leaders, and faculty and staff to develop and execute strategies to secure major gifts and philanthropic support for assigned institutional priorities, special initiatives, and campaign themes within your assigned school.
• Manages the Dean’s Board of Advisors to advance your academic unit’s development goals and priorities.
• Create and execute strategic advancement plans for major gift prospects as defined with capacity for gifts of $25,000+.
• Plan and execute trips to engage prospective donors one-on-one, when possible, building schedules around campus leaders within your academic unit.
• Manage communication of information, including briefings, development agendas, and reporting to assigned faculty leaders. Collaborate with leadership, faculty, and development professionals to develop persuasive fundraising proposals, case statements, gift announcements, and collateral materials.

Strategic Planning and Program Implementation

• Establish and maintain professional relationships with faculty, leadership, internal colleagues, key stakeholders, alumni, and community leaders to identify and engage potential donors.
• Build annual and long-term goals for philanthropy in assigned areas.
• Develop, evaluate, and refine plans and timetables for departmental or theme assignments; assist in planning and/or directing cultivation events or programs.
• Assist administrators and faculty in the identification and prioritization of institutional and departmental funding needs; keep abreast of departmental programs.

Portfolio Development and Management

• Successfully maintain and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects.
• Follow procedures in coordination with the Advancement Services to ensure effective collecting, recording, accounting, acknowledgement, and follow-up on all private gifts to assigned areas.
• Monitor fundraising progress, develop contact reports, enter data into tracking databases, and operate within a standardized metric program.
• Work successfully with colleagues across the institution to collaborate on prospects with multiple interests.
• Follow best fundraising and operational practices for the WSSU Office of University Advancement.

Minimum Requirements

Education:

Bachelor’s degree required from an accredited institution; advanced degree preferred.

Experience:

Minimum of five (5) years of progressive fundraising, development, or related nonprofit experience.

Proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, and closing major gifts ($25,000+).

Experience managing a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors.

Experience working in higher education or complex nonprofit organizations preferred.

Skills & Competencies:

Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse constituents, including alumni, donors, faculty, and community leaders.

Track record of requesting and securing visits and following up with consistency and efficiency at a fast pace.

Ability to distill complex ideas into easily understandable concepts and communicate those ideas effectively.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare donor proposals, reports, and presentations.

Ability to manage multiple priorities, set goals, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Proficiency with donor databases/ CRM systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, or similar) and Microsoft Office Suite.

Understanding of fundraising best practices, gift planning vehicles, and donor stewardship.

Personal Attributes:

Self-starter with a high degree of initiative, curiosity, and independence.

Strategic thinker with a collaborative mindset.

Strong integrity, discretion, and commitment to confidentiality.

Willingness to travel regionally and nationally, and to work occasional evenings and weekends for donor engagement.

Position Information

Position Number: 117009

Working Position Title: Director of Development

Building and Room No.: Blair Hall, Suite 311

Appointment Type: Permanent Full-Time

Normal Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm work schedule, to included some evenings and weekends

Posting Details

Open Date: 12/08/2025

Open Until Filled: Yes

Required Documents:

1. Resume

2. Cover Letter

3. References List