Director of Development for Principal Gift Operations
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Job Location:
Chapel Hill, NC - USA
Monthly Salary:
Not Disclosed
Posted on:
17 hours ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Position Summary
This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station. The Director of Development for Principal Gift Operations provides strategic and operational leadership for the University Development Offices Principal Gifts Program which oversees engagement cultivation solicitation and stewardship of the universitys most capable donors typically those with the capacity to make gifts of $5 million or more. This role is central to delivering a white-glove donor and leadership experience ensuring that every interaction event communication and briefing involving the universitys most influential donors and senior leaders is executed with precision discretion and polish. The Director oversees 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. This position establishes and upholds operational standards that ensure seamless coordination across donor relations communications prospect development university events and executive offices setting the institutional benchmark for excellence at every touchpoint. As a strategic partner to the Chancellor Provost Vice Chancellor deans and other senior leaders the Director supervises the development of executive-ready briefings dashboards and data tools collaborating closely with Business Intelligence and Prospect Development to ensure accuracy clarity and real-time reliability. The role also serves as the operational hub for principal gift proposals and stewardship ensuring alignment with donor strategy institutional priorities and the highest standards of narrative design and presentation. The Director leads the strategy and execution of concierge-level donor experiences including VIP events campus visits and personalized stewardship ensuring timely and accurate fulfillment of all recognition commitments. Initially supervising one full-time team member and one temporary team member the Director will build and scale a team to support the long-term strategic vision for principal gift operations setting a consistent standard of excellence and professionalism across the universitys most critical donor interactions.
Required Qualifications Competencies And Experience
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 Qualifications Competencies And Experience
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 incumbents direct line of supervision.
This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station. The Director of Development for Principal Gift Operations provides strategic and operational leadership for the University Development Offices Principal Gifts Program which oversees engagement cultivation solicitation and stewardship of the universitys most capable donors typically those with the capacity to make gifts of $5 million or more. This role is central to delivering a white-glove donor and leadership experience ensuring that every interaction event communication and briefing involving the universitys most influential donors and senior leaders is executed with precision discretion and polish. The Director oversees 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. This position establishes and upholds operational standards that ensure seamless coordination across donor relations communications prospect development university events and executive offices setting the institutional benchmark for excellence at every touchpoint. As a strategic partner to the Chancellor Provost Vice Chancellor deans and other senior leaders the Director supervises the development of executive-ready briefings dashboards and data tools collaborating closely with Business Intelligence and Prospect Development to ensure accuracy clarity and real-time reliability. The role also serves as the operational hub for principal gift proposals and stewardship ensuring alignment with donor strategy institutional priorities and the highest standards of narrative design and presentation. The Director leads the strategy and execution of concierge-level donor experiences including VIP events campus visits and personalized stewardship ensuring timely and accurate fulfillment of all recognition commitments. Initially supervising one full-time team member and one temporary team member the Director will build and scale a team to support the long-term strategic vision for principal gift operations setting a consistent standard of excellence and professionalism across the universitys most critical donor interactions.
Required Qualifications Competencies And Experience
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 Qualifications Competencies And Experience
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 incumbents direct line of supervision.
Required Experience:
Staff IC
Key Skills
- Risk Management
- Negiotiation
- Operational management
- Smartsheets
- Strategic Planning
- Team Management
- Budgeting
- Leadership Experience
- Program Development
- Supervising Experience
- Financial Planning
About Company
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the nation’s first public university, is a global higher education leader known for innovative teaching, research and public service. A member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, Carolina regularly ranks as the best ... View more
