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

UNC-Chapel Hill has historically emphasized a regional approach to the cultivation and solicitation of prospects, employing regional officers in assigned territories where they are expected to meet several minimum annual goals. In preparation for the next comprehensive campaign, the university once again plans to deploy a team of regional officers to work closely with regional volunteers and committees and to coordinate activity with the development staff in the various schools and units. The Executive Director will manage the regional officers as well as coordinate with other constituents across campus. The Executive Director will also carry a portfolio of prospects in an assigned region.

Principal Functions:

• Serve as a regional fundraiser managing a portfolio of prospects within a specific regional assignment.
• Provide overall supervision and guidance to the regional officers and staff, including discussing donor and prospect strategy; monitoring nature and number of visits, proposals, and gifts closed; and assuring continued coordination with regional committees and other volunteers.
• Provide leadership in the relationship of the regional officers with constituent units across campus, including ensuring familiarity with campus-wide fundraising priorities; and coordination of prospect cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship with other fundraisers.
• Exercise fiscal responsibility in oversight of the regional development office departmental budget, including travel, events, and regional and special committee expenses.
• Carry out other such responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time by the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Development.

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

Qualification & Experience Requirements:

• 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.