The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · 1 week ago
Director of Development for Principal Gift Operations
North Carolina, United States
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 innovative teaching and research. The Director of Development for Principal Gift Operations will provide strategic leadership for the Principal Gifts Program, overseeing the engagement and stewardship of the university's most capable donors.
EducationHigher EducationUniversities
Responsibilities
Provide strategic and operational leadership for the University Development Office’s Principal Gifts Program
Oversee engagement, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of the university’s most capable donors
Deliver a white-glove donor and leadership experience, ensuring precision, discretion, and polish in every interaction, event, communication, and briefing
Oversee a portfolio of high-stakes functions, including donor hospitality, campus visits, principal gift stewardship, executive-level gift acknowledgements and impact reporting, proposal development coordination, and strategic data dashboards
Establish and uphold operational standards for seamless coordination across donor relations, communications, prospect development, university events, and executive offices
Supervise the development of executive-ready briefings, dashboards, and data tools, collaborating with Business Intelligence and Prospect Development
Serve as the operational hub for principal gift proposals and stewardship, ensuring alignment with donor strategy and institutional priorities
Lead the strategy and execution of concierge-level donor experiences, including VIP events, campus visits, and personalized stewardship
Initially supervise 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
Exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts
Savings on local child care centers
Special rates on select campus events
Comprehensive benefits package
Paid leave
Variety of health, life and retirement plans
Additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance
Discounts and access to many UNC -CH athletics
Performing Arts
Gym memberships
Perks program that provides employees with over 800 local deals
Tuition & Fee Waiver Program
Company
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (165)
2024 (143)
2023 (100)
2022 (133)
2021 (83)
2020 (89)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$48.57MKey Investors
SECU FoundationCDA FoundationNorth Carolina Biotechnology Center
2024-07-19Grant· $1M
2024-03-18Grant
2023-02-16Grant· $0.11M
Leadership Team
Judith Cone
Retired Vice Chancellor for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Innovation as of April 1, 2021
Michael Williams
Network SEcurity Team Lead
Recent News
Morningstar.com
2025-09-20
Company data provided by crunchbase