Director of Development

• 2025 – Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
• 2024 – Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
• 2023 – Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
• 2022 – Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.

Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.

Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans – eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.

Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.

WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences – many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary: The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).

The Director of Development is a direct fundraising position that reports to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Development. This position serves as the principal development office contact for the College of Business and is responsible for qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for an assigned group of prospects, including individuals and corporations/foundations, with a focus on major gift activity at $25,000 and above.

The position also identifies and qualifies new prospects, manages and implements assigned fundraising projects, and contributes to achieving the goals of WCU's comprehensive fundraising campaign.

In collaboration and coordination with Division of Advancement staff, this position provides leadership, management, and strategic direction for development efforts within the college. Under the direction of the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Development, the position assists in providing overall development leadership and counsel to the Dean and faculty/staff leaders of the assigned college as they develop and execute unit-specific fundraising plans.

The director will undertake other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Vice Chancellor for Advancement.

The Director of Development will be an accomplished fundraising professional who has a demonstrated knowledge of the nature and purpose of public higher education and who has: extensive, successful experience in fundraising at progressively higher levels; strong interpersonal, organizational, and time-management skills reflected in an ability to work effectively and collegially with senior management personnel, professional colleagues, and prospects in a team-oriented environment; a high energy level and commitment to professional growth and responsibilities, unquestioned integrity and fiscal accountability, and ability to plan and achieve long and short-term fundraising goals with database documentation of fundraising activity; and exceptional written and oral communication skills.

In addition to portfolio management, the DOD will plan and execute the annual development plan for the college. Developed in collaboration with the Dean, the development plan addresses key engagement and philanthropic goals which advance the mission and vision of the College. The DOD will engage support from the Division of Advancement and University Communications and Marketing to ensure the full execution of the plan.

A working knowledge of the fundamentals of planned giving and annual giving is preferred. The Director of Development will always conduct themselves in a professional and appropriate manner. Additionally, the Director of Development may be called upon to provide assistance to the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Assistant Vice Chancellor and other staff members of Western Carolina University.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:
Minimum Qualifications: Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employment sponsorship or other immigration-related assistance. Candidates must have a degree from an accredited university and 3 years of experience in a fundraising environment. Other account-based revenue-generating experience will be considered, such as sales, nonprofit management, grant writing, or investment management.

Preferred Qualifications: Preferred qualifications include 3-5 years of experience in higher education fundraising; experience working with the Raiser's Edge NXT relationship management system; development experience within a College of Business; and experience working within a capital campaign environment.

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants: To be considered, you must apply online. Hard copy materials will not be accepted for review.

Applicants must attach a cover letter, current resume, and a listing of at least three professional references (including complete contact information with name, title, address, email, and phone) in order to complete the application.

For questions and additional information, please contact Kathleen De La Torre at kdelatorre@email.wcu.edu

AA/EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

To apply, please visit: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/35694