Description

The Executive Director of Philanthropy, focusing on Leadership Giving, reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor (AVC) for University Development and serves as a senior leader within University Advancement. Leadership Giving is defined as gifts ranging from $1 million to $5 million.

The Executive Director is responsible for defining and executing the fundraising strategy for gifts in the defined range of $1 million to $5 million. This position serves as the critical bridge between Major Gifts ($100,000-$1,000,000) and Principal Gifts ($5 million+), ensuring a robust pipeline of high-net-worth prospects who have the capacity to make a significant impact on the University’s strategic priorities. The defined Leadership Giving range is designed to target the gifts at the $1 million to $5 million level that will serve as a major component in the success of NC State’s next comprehensive campaign. To date, nearly 1,300 prospects and potential donors have been identified as having the potential to support NC State in this giving band. The complex nature of philanthropy at this level requires an approach that builds on the strengths of our Major Gift fundraising and works hand in hand with our Principal Gifts program.

The Executive Director will manage a focused portfolio of high-rated prospects and work to enhance their level of engagement with the University. In close partnership with Deans, college/unit advancement leaders, and the Principal Gifts team, this role will coordinate complex solicitations that may span multiple colleges or units. This position is responsible for “raising donor sights,” moving major gift donors into the leadership giving tier, and qualifying prospects for future Principal Gift investment.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Fundraising & Portfolio Management:

• Portfolio Management: Actively manage a personal portfolio of approximately 50–75 high-capacity prospects and donors with a focus on securing commitments in the $1M – $5M range.
• Pipeline Development: Serve as the primary strategist for the “Leadership Giving” pipeline; systematically identifying Major Gift prospects ($100k level) with the capacity to escalate to 7-figure giving and developing long-term cultivation plans to move them up the giving pyramid.
• Solicitation: Initiate and conduct personal meetings with prospects throughout the year; lead and participate in complex solicitations involving blended gifts (cash, pledge, estate) to achieve institutional goals.
• Strategic Collaboration: Partner with the Principal Gifts team to ensure seamless transitions for donors reaching the $5M+ capacity; work collaboratively with Deans and Unit fundraisers to co-manage prospects who have specific academic interests but high-level capacity.

Program Leadership & Strategy:

• Strategic Planning: Create and implement comprehensive strategies to identify, cultivate, and solicit individuals rated at the $1M–$5M level.
  Internal Leadership: Foster and reinforce a unified, sophisticated approach to donor-centric philanthropy; serve as a resource and coach to Directors of Philanthropy across the university on how to close 7-figure gifts.
• Proposal Development: Oversee the preparation of complex funding proposals, talking points, and briefings for senior university officers (Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Deans) regarding Leadership Giving prospects.
• Stewardship: Design and execute stewardship plans specifically for the $1M–$5M donor tier, ensuring that these donors feel deeply connected to the impact of their philanthropy and are primed for future support.
• Liaison Role: Serve as the liaison between Central Major Gifts and Principal Gifts, ensuring that the university is maximising philanthropic support from past, current, and prospective supporters.

Requirements

Required Qualifications: 

• Seven-Figure Success: Demonstrated success in the cultivation, solicitation, and closing of gifts in the $1,000,000+ range, preferably in a higher education setting.
  Strategic Thinking: Ability to synthesize relevant and complex information about high-net-worth donors to aid in the development of targeted strategies for transformational gifts.
• Collaborative Spirit: Ability to develop and engender trust-based, effective, and collaborative relationships with faculty, administrators, volunteers, and colleagues in a large, complex, decentralized research university.
• Pipeline Management: Deep understanding of the philanthropic process, specifically regarding the movement of donors from “Major” to “Leadership” and “Principal” giving levels.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; high emotional intelligence; ability to articulate the case for support so that individuals “buy in” to the vision/mission/goals.
• Ethics: Unrelenting commitment to confidentiality around highly sensitive information.
• Motivation: High level of creativity, initiative, optimism, perseverance, and a positive attitude.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Comprehensive campaign experience at a Tier One research university.
• Experience negotiating complex gift agreements, including blended gifts and multi-year pledges.
• Experience managing or mentoring senior-level fundraising staff.

Education & Experience:

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• 8 or more years of progressive experience in institutional advancement or a related field.
• A proven track record of success in securing six- and seven-figure gifts.