Job Details

Director of Development - 000399
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Position Number: 5834563
Location: Cullowhee, NC
Position Type: Development and Fund Raising

Director of Development - 000399

Western Carolina University

Department: Office, Assistant VC of Development

About WCU: Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including: 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries. 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries. 2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.Western Carolina University is the UNC systems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary: The primary location of this position is the main Cullowhee, NC campus.

The Director of Development is an EHRA non-faculty, direct fundraising position that reports to the Senior Director of Development. This position serves as the principal development office contact for the College of Health and Human Sciences and is responsible for the qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for an assigned group of prospects, including individuals and corporations/foundations, with a focus on major gift activity for gifts at $25,000 and above; the identification and qualification of new prospects; and the management and implementation of assigned fundraising projects and achieving the goals of WCU's comprehensive fundraising campaign.

In collaboration and coordination with the Division of Advancement staff, this position is responsible for providing leadership, management, and strategic direction for the development efforts within the college. Under the direction of the Senior Director of Development, this position will assist in providing overall development leadership and counsel to the Dean(s) and faculty/staff leaders of the assigned college(s) as they develop and execute unit- specific fundraising plans. The position will undertake other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

The Director of Development will be an accomplished fundraising professional who has a demonstrated knowledge of the nature and purpose of public higher education and who has: extensive, successful experience in fundraising at progressively higher levels; strong interpersonal, organizational, and time-management skills reflected in an ability to work effectively and collegially with senior management personnel, professional colleagues, and prospects in a team- oriented environment; a high energy level and commitment to professional growth and responsibilities, unquestioned integrity and fiscal accountability, and ability to plan and achieve long and short-term fundraising goals with database documentation of fundraising activity; and exceptional written and oral communication skills.

A working knowledge of the fundamentals of stewardship, planned giving, communications strategy, and annual giving is preferred. The Director of Development will conduct themselves in a professional and appropriate manner at all times. Additionally, the Director of Development may be called upon to provide assistance to the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Assistant Vice Chancellor and other staff members of Western Carolina University.

Responsibilities:

Along with the Dean, develop and lead an annual comprehensive development plan for the college. This plan should include, but is not limited to; fundraising initiatives, alumni engagement strategies, communications, events, stewardship efforts and other activities which will advance the interests of the college. These initiatives will be accomplished through leveraging expertise and resources within the division of advancement.

Actively manage a portfolio of annual, major, and principal-gift level prospects and donors by developing, documenting, and implementing comprehensive strategies for assigned major gift prospects.

Serve as the primary development office liaison for assigned college(s) and work with the Deans on efforts to identify and cultivate major gift prospects and to develop and execute purposeful solicitation strategies to secure support for priority initiatives and needs.

Develop targeted relationships with key faculty and staff within the Colleges as part of prospect cultivation and donor stewardship efforts.

Meet and/or exceed established metrics including overall fiscal year fundraising results for both Colleges, the monthly target of 12 face-to-face visits, and other categories of meaningful contacts with assigned prospects.

Prepare donor proposals and gift agreements, as necessary.

Create and file digital contact reports through the Raiser's Edge database, in accordance with office policy, to track and document contacts with assigned prospects.

Attend departmental, campaign, college, and university alumni and development functions as appropriate.

Work evenings and weekends on occasion, staff Alumni and other campus events, which may directly impact fundraising. The candidate will be expected to travel frequently and be fluent in the various options needed to schedule efficient, safe, and cost effective travel.

Perform other duties as assigned.

WCU's Prospect Management Guidelines can be found here - https://www.wcu.edu/WebFiles/WCU_Prospect_Management_Guidelines.pdf

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:

Minimum Qualifications: - Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employment sponsorship or any immigration-related assistance.-Degree from an accredited university -2-3 years experience in a fundraising environment. Other account-based revenue generating experience will be considered such as sales, nonprofit management, grant-writing, investment management, etc.

Preferred Qualifications: -3-5 Years experience in higher education fundraising -Experience working in a health-care based fundraising environment -Experience working with the Raisers Edge NXT relationship management system -Experience working within a capital campaign environment

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants: To be considered, you must apply online. Hard copy materials will not be accepted for review.Applicants must attach a cover letter, current resume, and a listing of at least three professional references (including complete contact information with name, title, address, email, and phone) in order to complete the application.For questions and additional information, please contact Ben Kees, Senior Director of Development, at bkees@wcu.edu

AA/EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; religion; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Additionally, the University promotes the realization of equal employment opportunity for minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans through its affirmative action program. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

To apply, please visit: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/29513