Associate Director of Development

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina, UNC Asheville is the designated public liberal arts campus in the University of North Carolina system. UNC Asheville is nationally known for the quality of our student-centered teaching, mentoring of undergraduates in research, interdisciplinary learning, and striving to be an inclusive campus community.
UNC Asheville is committed to promoting diversity and a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and the ability to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds. Staff members are encouraged to take an active role to engage in the institution's efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion throughout the workplace. The successful candidate is expected to foster an inclusive work culture where uniqueness of beliefs, backgrounds, talents, capabilities and ways of living are respected and welcomed. Women, traditionally under-represented minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The Advancement Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Regular evening and weekend work is required as well as the ability to travel.

Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Major Gifts and Campaign Management ( AVC), the Associate Director of Development will be responsible for securing major gifts that align donor interests with University priorities. The Associate Director will develop and manage a portfolio of research-based major gift and planned giving prospects for the purpose of identification and assessment, working collaboratively with development colleagues and leadership to develop a strategic cultivation plan, and solicitation of major gift and planed gift support from alumni, parents and friends of the university. While the baseline for a major gift is $25,000, it is critical for the Associate Director to focus their work on soliciting larger major gifts of $100K or more and be able to work on transformational, principal gifts.

As the university looks towards its first comprehensive campaign, the Associate Director will be responsible for aligning donors' philanthropic interests with the emerging priorities of the campaign and assist the AVC in identifying strategies to meet campaign goals. The Associate Director will work collaboratively to identify opportunities for donor engagement to assist in developing the major gift and planned giving pipeline and collaborate with the donor relations and stewardship team to ensure that campaign donors are appropriately recognized.

The Associate Director will serve as a visible, key representative of the university and will be responsible for effectively communicating the university's mission and fundraising priorities to external stakeholders. The Associate Director will be responsible for recording interactions in the advancement database and will protect confidential information.

Minimum of a bachelor's degree required with related experience.

At least five (5) years of professional-level, direct solicitation/fundraising experience with a track record of closing major gifts of $25,000 or more, and planned gifts.

Community Expectations During this time it is important that the community understand how UNC Asheville operates and what is expected of community members as we work together to prioritize everyone's health and safety. Please see UNC Asheville's Community Expectations for more information. This is the URL for UNC Asheville's Community Expectations: UNC Asheville's Community Expectations. Application Information Applications must be submitted online no later than 11:59 p.m. ( EST) on the closing date for each specific position. Please note that any documents submitted to Human Resources or the hiring departments become property of UNC Asheville and will not be returned. Official verification from each college/university you have attended are required upon employment, and will be requested directly from the college/university by Human Resources or from the National Student Clearinghouse. Any expense will be the responsibility of the employee. Educational degrees must be from an appropriately accredited institution. If no applicants apply who meet the required competency and training and experience requirements, management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations. It is the policy of UNC Asheville to conduct pre-employment background investigations on all candidates selected for employment. If hired, the candidate will be required to submit proof of eligibility to work in the United States. New employees are paid only by direct deposit to the financial institution of their choice.