Chapel Hill, NC

The Organization

Carolina’s vibrant people and programs attest to the University’s long-standing place among leaders in higher education since it was chartered in 1789 and opened its doors for students in 1795 as the nation’s first public university. Situated in the beautiful college town of Chapel Hill, N.C., UNC has earned a reputation as one of the best universities in the world. Carolina prides itself on a strong, diverse student body, academic opportunities not found anywhere else, and a value unmatched by any public university in the nation.

UNC-Chapel Hill, the nation’s first public university, ranks among the world’s leading research universities. A member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, Carolina regularly ranks as the best value for academic quality in U.S. public higher education.

Now in its third century, the University offers 78 bachelor’s, 112 master’s, 68 doctorate and seven professional degree programs through 14 schools and the College of Arts and Sciences. More than 29,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students learn from a faculty of 3,600. Every day, faculty, staff and students shape their teaching, research and public service to meet North Carolina’s most pressing needs in all 100 counties. Carolina’s 282,886 alumni live in all 50 states and more than 140 countries.

Position Overview

The Executive Director of Development for Schools and Units will support major gifts fundraising for a select group of UNC-Chapel Hill’s schools and units, and serve as an important contributor to University Development’s leadership team. Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor (SAVC) for Development, the Executive Director will have primary responsibility for the oversight and mentorship of directors of development for the following schools/units: Dentistry, Education, Graduate School, School of Education, School of Government, SILS, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, School of Social Work, and the School of Nursing. The Executive Director will serve as close collaborator and partner to the schools/units in developing effective strategies to increase major donor activity, while bringing about enhanced coordination and cross-institutional partnering that will maximize contributed revenue to the University. The position will also have responsibility for maintaining and managing a personal portfolio of top prospects with a mandate to identify, cultivate, and solicit major gifts on behalf of the University. The Executive Director will provide strategic direction and leadership on major gift strategy development for the schools/units. The Executive Director will work closely with the SAVC in developing annual and long-term fundraising goals based on approved school/unit priorities and interdisciplinary initiatives.

Principal Functions:

• Maintain and manage a personal portfolio of top prospects with a mandate to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts on behalf of the University.
• Provide schools/units with strong, creative, energetic, and strategic leadership in all matters related to major gifts fundraising.
• Partner with senior fundraising staff to develop, oversee, and execute solicitation strategies for top prospects with affinities across the University, and to set new, ambitious, but attainable goals in order to increase operating funds.
• Work closely with the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Development, as well as other directors of development campus-wide, to build processes that will aid in the identification of new major donor sources, as well as the qualification, cultivation, and solicitation of these prospects.
• Working with the schools/units, increase the portfolio of philanthropic gifts from individuals, and partner with these schools/units in maintaining active, strategic and productive relationships with major donors in order to deepen engagement and grow financial support.
• Design and implement a roadmap for each school/unit to reach its strategic goals, with an emphasis on expanding large, multi-year gifts.

Education Requirements: A Bachelor’s degree required, and advanced degree preferred.

Qualification & Experience Requirements:
The Executive Director will be a polished fundraising executive who knows and understands the nature and purpose of public higher education. Leading candidates will have:

• A minimum of 8-10 years progressively responsible major gifts experience, preferably in a higher education setting.
• Ability to develop trust and strong collaborative working relationships.
• Experience nurturing and motivating senior level development professionals in order to foster professional growth and exceed organizational goals.
• A knowledge of North Carolina or a sensitivity to the special nature of the southeastern region of the country.
• Ability to interact effectively in a comprehensive research university setting.
• Familiarity with the University’s academic and administrative offices and their functions; knowledge of and ability to tap resources within the University community.
• An employment history highlighted by increasing levels of responsibility and a demonstrated ability to exercise sensitivity and good judgment in dealing with staff and the public.
• Superb interpersonal relationship skills.
• Exceptional written and oral communications skills.