Director of Development for Principal Gift Operations
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Raleigh, NC, United States
Director of Development for Principal Gift Operations
Posting Information
Position Number: 20001862 Vacancy ID: NF0009493 Location: North Carolina, US (Chapel Hill) Position Type: Permanent Staff (EHRA NF) Full-Time, Full-Time Permanent Posting Open Date: 01/15/2026 Application Deadline: 03/23/2026
Special Instructions Please attach a writing sample reflective of your ability to communicate effectively at the executive level.
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 Office’s Principal Gifts Program, which oversees engagement, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of the university’s 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 university’s 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 university’s most critical donor interactions.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements 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.
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 incumbent’s direct line of supervision.
Required Documents
Curriculum Vitae / Resume
Cover Letter
Writing/research Sample
Optional Documents No optional documents required.
Supplemental Questions
* Please select the response below that describes your level of education that best or mostly closely satisfies the education requirements for this position.
Bachelor’s degree in required discipline(s) listed or related field
Bachelor's degree in any field/discipline
Master's degree or Doctorate degree in required discipline(s) listed or related field
Master's degree or Doctorate degree in any field/discipline
None of the above
Office of Human Resources Contact Information If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (919) 843-2300 or send an email to employment@unc.edu. Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Benefits UNC‑Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.
Location One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.
Perks University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC‑Chapel Hill offers a perks program that provides employees with over 800 local deals.
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Position Number: 20001862 Vacancy ID: NF0009493 Location: North Carolina, US (Chapel Hill) Position Type: Permanent Staff (EHRA NF) Full-Time, Full-Time Permanent Posting Open Date: 01/15/2026 Application Deadline: 03/23/2026
Special Instructions Please attach a writing sample reflective of your ability to communicate effectively at the executive level.
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 Office’s Principal Gifts Program, which oversees engagement, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of the university’s 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 university’s 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 university’s most critical donor interactions.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements 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.
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 incumbent’s direct line of supervision.
Required Documents
Curriculum Vitae / Resume
Cover Letter
Writing/research Sample
Optional Documents No optional documents required.
Supplemental Questions
* Please select the response below that describes your level of education that best or mostly closely satisfies the education requirements for this position.
Bachelor’s degree in required discipline(s) listed or related field
Bachelor's degree in any field/discipline
Master's degree or Doctorate degree in required discipline(s) listed or related field
Master's degree or Doctorate degree in any field/discipline
None of the above
Office of Human Resources Contact Information If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (919) 843-2300 or send an email to employment@unc.edu. Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Benefits UNC‑Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.
Location One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.
Perks University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC‑Chapel Hill offers a perks program that provides employees with over 800 local deals.
#J-18808-Ljbffr