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Location: Raleigh, NC
Essential Job Duties:
The Executive Director reports to the Assistant Dean of Philanthropy, CALS and serves on the leadership team for the division. This position is charged with developing and implementing strategies for securing financial support from a portfolio of donors and prospects including identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts for the university from alumni and friends. The Executive Director prepares and implements strategic plans for the major gift team and is responsible for meeting annual goals based on new prospect discovery and qualifications, in-person meetings, proposals submitted and gifts closed.
The Executive Director is charged with planning, coordinating, and representing university-wide fundraising initiatives and programs by closely partnering with colleges and units, university leadership, and development colleagues across campus. The Executive Director may serve as the direct supervisor, mentor and coach to major gift officers and program specialists, while maintaining their own fundraising portfolio.
Essential duties and responsibilities of the Executive Director include, but are not limited to the following:
Major Gifts Strategy, Pipeline Development, and Donor Portfolio Management
- Serve as a member of the College's advancement leadership team and lead/execute projects related to the major gifts program.
- Grow the major gifts program and building a pipeline of individual major gift donors ($100,000+) through identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship cycles
- Actively manage a personal portfolio of current and potential major gift donors.
- In partnership with the Assistant Dean, leads the strategy to identify, qualify, prioritize, cultivate, solicit, all donors and prospects assigned to the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences.
- Prioritize and implement complex donor strategies involving multiple units and leadership.
- Develop fundraising and program goals for staff in collaboration with Assistant Dean; monitoring progress against goals.
- Initiate and conduct personal meetings with prospects and donors throughout the year and leading / participating in solicitations with university leaders and development colleagues to meet and achieve individual and institutional goals.
- Foster and reinforce a non-territorial, sophisticated approach to donor-centric philanthropy that encourages flexibility and responsiveness throughout University Advancement.
- Lead and manage staff in a fiscally sound manner by ensuring that the appropriate systems, staffing and procedures are in place to support fundraising goals.
- Serve as a resource, role model, and coach to development staff on matters of prospect strategy and solicitation; regularly share new approaches and techniques.
- Ensure that all interested parties (team members) are well informed and engaged in efforts focused on specific prospects.
Other Work/Responsibilities:
- Perform other duties as required or assigned by the Assistant Dean for Philanthropy.
- Attend a variety of events throughout the year.
- Regular travel around the region and to other areas of the country.
- Occasional night and weekend work is required.
Minimum Experience/Education:
- Requires a relevant post-Baccalaureate degree with a minimum of seven (7) years or greater of related professional experience, or a relevant undergraduate degree and a minimum of ten (10) years or greater of relevant experience may be substituted for the advanced degree.
- Experience closing 6-and 7-figure gifts.
- Experience managing staff.
Required Qualifications:
- Proven leadership skills that nurture an accountable, goal-oriented and values-based environment.
- The ability to work collaboratively and effectively as a part of a team.
- Demonstrated success in personally cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major and principal gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations with a sound knowledge of principles, practices and ethics of charitable giving.
- The ability to contribute to the tone of a department driven by values based on professionalism, productivity, responsiveness, a strong work ethic, responsibility, collaboration, open communication, mutual respect and achievement.
- The ability to serve as a critical and trusted partner displaying evidence of high integrity, honesty and trustworthiness.
- Flexibility and the demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, complex, academic environment, juggling numerous projects and satisfying multiple constituencies simultaneously.
- A strong track record of working effectively with volunteers, faculty and administrators, engaging them in the life of the institution and assisting them in improving their effectiveness in all aspects of fundraising.
- The ability to prioritize work and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Demonstrated ability to develop strategic plans, implement programs and manage and implement change.
- The ability to leverage resources in CALS Advancement Special Events and College Communications teams to support development objectives.
- Excellent listening, oral and written communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to effectively articulate the case for support.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise a high degree of sound judgement and diplomacy, and a commitment to confidentiality are essential.
- An understanding of technology and its applications in development.
- Willingness/ability to travel frequently and participate in occasional evening and weekend activities.
Preferred Qualifications:
- At least 10 years of demonstrated experience in front line fundraising or related professional experience, with a track record of success in securing major gifts and meeting fundraising goals and proven experience working with 6-and 7-figure gifts or related professional experience, including the ability to evaluate, qualify and move prospects through the cultivation/solicitation cycle.
- Fundraising experience in a university setting or relevant industry experience.
- Experience in working through a capital campaign.
- Experience managing and motivating advancement professionals.
- An understanding of the land grant, research Tier One university environment.
- Familiarity with NC State University.
Required License or Certification:
- Valid NC driver's license or the ability to obtain within 60 days of start.
AA/EEO Statement:
NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
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