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Inside Higher Ed · 3 hours ago

Director of Development for Principal Gift Operations

Chapel Hill, NC

Full-time

Hybrid

Lead/Staff, Director/Executive

1+ years exp

Inside Higher Ed is a global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research, and public service. The Director of Development for Principal Gift Operations provides strategic and operational leadership for the Principal Gifts Program, focusing on engagement, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of the university's most capable donors.

Digital MediaEducationHigher EducationJournalismRecruiting

Responsibilities

Provides strategic and operational leadership for the Principal Gifts Program

Oversees engagement, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of the university’s most capable donors

Delivers a white-glove donor and leadership experience, ensuring precision, discretion, and polish in interactions with influential donors and senior leaders

Oversees donor hospitality, campus visits, principal gift stewardship, executive-level gift acknowledgements and impact reporting, proposal development coordination, 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 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, and will build and scale a team to support the long-term strategic vision for principal gift operations

Qualification

Fundraising principlesDonor relationsExecutive presenceProcess improvementCommunication skillsService orientationAttention to detail

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