Carolina Population Center · 19 hours ago
Director of Development for Principal Gift Operations
North Carolina, US
Full-time
Hybrid
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
1+ years expThe University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a global leader in higher education, known for its commitment to innovative teaching and research. They are seeking a Director of Development for Principal Gift Operations to provide strategic and operational leadership for the Principal Gifts Program, engaging with the university's most capable donors and ensuring high-quality donor experiences.
Responsibilities
Provides strategic and operational leadership for the University Development Office’s Principal Gifts Program
Oversees engagement, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of the university’s most capable donors, typically those with the capacity to make gifts of $5 million or more
Delivers a white-glove donor and leadership experience, ensuring precision, discretion, and polish in all interactions
Oversees a portfolio of high-stakes functions, including donor hospitality, campus visits, principal gift stewardship, executive-level gift acknowledgements, and impact reporting
Coordinates proposal development and strategic data dashboards
Establishes and upholds operational standards for seamless coordination across donor relations, communications, prospect development, university events, and executive offices
Supervises the development of executive-ready briefings, dashboards, and data tools, collaborating closely with Business Intelligence and Prospect Development
Serves as the operational hub for principal gift proposals and stewardship, ensuring alignment with donor strategy and institutional priorities
Leads the strategy and execution of concierge-level donor experiences, including VIP events and personalized stewardship
Initially supervises one full-time team member and one temporary team member, building and scaling a team to support the long-term strategic vision for principal gift operations
Qualification
Required
Minimum of a bachelor's degree required (or foreign degree equivalent) with related experience
For positions with responsibility for direct solicitation of gifts and funds, a minimum of 1 year of professional-level, direct solicitation/fundraising experience is required
In-depth understanding of fundraising principles and strategies
White-glove service orientation: Demonstrated ability to consistently deliver high-touch, anticipatory support to both donors and senior leaders
Operational excellence: Commitment to superior execution, with systems and habits that prevent errors, elevate presentation quality, and reinforce institutional credibility
Demonstrated skills around process improvement
Executive presence: Ability to interact confidently and discreetly with senior leaders, high-net-worth individuals, and influential stakeholders
Attention to detail at scale: Precision in managing complex workflows, events, and communications without sacrificing quality
Preferred
Fundraising experience: Seven or more years
Experience in a research university or similarly complex institution: A minimum of four years of fundraising
Knowledge of principal gifts practices and procedures
Superior communications skills
Strong command of language with the ability to speak and write with diplomacy and nuance
Effective diplomacy. This position requires comfort and effectiveness in providing leadership through influence rather than formal authority, including guiding and coordinating individuals who may hold more senior titles or report outside the incumbent's direct line of supervision
Benefits
A comprehensive benefits package
Paid leave
A variety of health, life and retirement plans
Programs that support a healthy work/life balance
Discounts for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts
Savings on local child care centers
Special rates on select campus events
Tuition & Fee Waiver Program
Company
Carolina Population Center
The Carolina Population Center (CPC) is a community of outstanding scholars and professionals associated to create new knowledge about population size, structure, and processes of change.
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageCompany data provided by crunchbase