Director of Philanthropy, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences

The Director of Philanthropy is responsible for identifying, qualifying, soliciting, and stewarding major gift donors to NC State University. This position will serve as a member of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Advancement team, reporting to a Senior Director of Philanthropy with an effort to maximize support to all areas of the College. As appropriate, the Director will also identify and coordinate the management of key volunteers.

The Director will be expected to manage a portfolio of discovery and actively managed prospects while also collaborating with fundraising colleagues across campus.

• Identification, qualification, cultivation and solicitation of prospects to create and grow a pipeline of major gifts ($100,000 and above) donors.
• Strategic development and management of a portfolio with approximately 150 prospects and donors capable of making gifts of $100,000 or more.

• Consistently meet or exceed annual goals for outreach contacts, qualifications, visits, proposals submitted, and funds raised.
• Creation and implementation of comprehensive strategies to leverage networks and maximize fundraising results.

• Identification, coordination and management of key volunteers.
• Collaboration with colleagues to help align donors’ philanthropic interests with various priorities across campus.
• Coordination of stewardship efforts as needed with appropriate College Advancement and other campus colleagues.

• Perform other duties as required or assigned.
• Attend a variety of events throughout the year.
• Regular travel (local and out of state) and occasional night and weekend work is required for this position.

Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline from an accredited college or university and a minimum of five (5) years or greater of experience, including 3 years of progressive advancement experience.

• Proven experience and demonstrated success in major individual gift fundraising, preferably in higher education, with a deep understanding of cultivating and soliciting prospects.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and ethics of successful fundraising and comprehensive capital campaigns.
• Proven relationship builder with the ability to form trusting relationships and work collaboratively with faculty, administrators, volunteers, alumni and colleagues.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills, with a high attention to detail and processes.
• Excellent listening, communication, and interpersonal skills; ability to communicate clearly in person and in writing.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic team environment.
• Unquestioned integrity.
• Self-motivated and driven with an entrepreneurial approach to problem solving.
• Optimism, perseverance and a positive attitude.
• Computer literacy and competency with electronic donor information systems; including Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite.
• Experience in cold calling and negotiating and closing gifts.

• Master’s degree relevant discipline from an accredited college or university and a minimum of five (5) years or greater of experience, including 3 years of progressive advancement major gift experience.
• Progressive responsibility and experience in institutional advancement.
• Experience staffing an academic leader and developing fundraising strategies for an academic program.
• Proficiency in portfolio management, developing and executing prospect strategy per fundraising best practices.
• An understanding of the land grant, research Tier One university environment.

Valid NC driver’s license or the ability to obtain within 60 days of start.