William Peace University is a nationally-ranked, award-winning institution located in one of the best cities in the United States in downtown Raleigh, NC. WPU provides a culture that values diversity, fosters an energized team environment, builds on our strengths, promotes creativity and innovation, and encourages inclusiveness, respect, and open communication by leading with our actions. Our mission is to prepare our students for careers in the organizations of tomorrow. The ideal candidate will have the ability to embrace the five core values, mission, and vision of William Peace University. Follow your passion and make an impact at WPU!

The Office of Advancement at William Peace University exists to connect alumni and friends to advance the mission of William Peace University. We are responsible for alumni engagement, creating and sustaining community partnerships, friend-raising and fundraising for annual (operating), capital, and endowment campaigns. Our vision is to cultivate a philanthropic culture among our alumni and friends, fostering pathways of support for WPU to provide vibrant learning experiences for our students.

The Director of Development for Major Gifts reports to the Vice President of University of Advancement and serves as an essential member of William Peace University’s (WPU) Advancement team. The Director is responsible for building a Major Gifts program at WPU and implementing a tracking system (using Moves Management) to manage the program. The Director identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards donors capable of giving gifts at the $25K level and higher. The incumbent manages a personal portfolio of gifts $25K and above, while focusing on aligning the needs at WPU with the interests and motivations of current and prospective benefactors. The Director creates customized cultivation strategies for qualified donors, determining what initiatives and opportunities most closely align with donor interests, and mapping out appropriate and timely timelines. The Director works as a team player, cooperatively partnering with others in the Office of Advancement.

Location: Primarily on-campus and in-person with frequent off-site travel requirements and occasional remote work opportunities

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Reporting to the Vice President for University Advancement, the individual holding this position is responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties:
● Supports WPU and University Advancement strategies and assists the VP for University Advancement to plan, organize, and implement annual departmental goals and objectives.
● Builds and grows a major gifts strategy for WPU that helps identify, cultivate, and manage a pipeline of major gift donors ($25,000 and above).
● Grows and manages relationships with a portfolio of 125-150 current and prospective donors and conducts at least 125 annual visits each year, and participates in 12-15 major gift solicitations annually.
● Identifies, imagines, and assists with program initiatives that secure support for campus-wide priorities, including immersive learning, athletics, scholarships, professorships, new facilities, facility renovations, campus improvements, and unrestricted support, in collaboration with the Vice President for Advancement
● Work with the Donor Relations Coordinator to build and maintain effective philanthropic relationships with corporate and foundation partners.
● In coordination with other Advancement partners, create and submit written proposals, high-quality grant proposals, letters of inquiry, reports to corporate and foundation partners, and other appropriate correspondence and forms necessary to close and document new gifts and commitments.
● Participates in all aspects of the gift cycle – from initiating first-time contact with potential major donors to actively qualifying candidates.
● Coordinate with the Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement on the transition of annual fund donors to major gift prospects.
● Creates and implements a strategy to leverage networks and maximize fundraising results in Raleigh, the surrounding community, and the state.
● Utilizes partners, including volunteers, professors, and others – including the Vice President for Advancement and President – on calls when appropriate, with the ability to recognize this need.
● Collaborates with colleagues to help align donors’ philanthropic interests with various priorities across campus.
● Coordinates stewardship efforts as needed with appropriate Advancement team members and other campus colleagues.
● Work with donors on endowments, grants, scholarships, and other restricted gifts, ensuring proper fund management and stewardship.
● Increases alumni and non-alumni donors who can make outright gifts of cash and stock.
● Utilizes charitable gift-planning tools and options to facilitate legacy/planned gifts.
● Maintains records and reports and monitors prospect contacts to ensure positive and purposeful prospect and donor relations through implementing a moves management structure.
● Builds and maintains a close relationship with supervisor and other Directors within the Advancement team to work toward common goals.
● Collaborates with Advancement team members to move leadership annual gifts to major gifts when appropriate.
● Contributes to the overall success of the Office by working on special projects and performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Vice President.
● Successfully works with a diverse population of colleagues, students, donors, vendors, visitors, and guests.
● Performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Supervise the Donor Relations Coordinator and any potential student workers.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed in order to perform the duties of the position, including the ability to retain on the job learned skills and abilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
● Effective oral and written communication skills with the ability to successfully communicate with a broad range of internal and external constituents, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, donors, volunteers, and friends of the University
● Demonstrated passion for building, maintaining, and managing authentic relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.
● Outstanding organizational skills with the ability to multitask and manage multiple relationships simultaneously, with an ability to pivot as plans and priorities shift.
● “Roll up your sleeves and get it done” attitude with the ability to work independently and collaboratively, meeting goals and deadlines.
● Strong organizational skills; self-starter with excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
● Demonstrated diplomatic, professional, courteous, and perceptive interpersonal skills; display of discretion in dealing with sensitive, confidential issues
● Ability to work with key, senior-level constituents, including senior-level administration and donors
● Ability to travel, work remotely at times with the ability to manage a flexible schedule as weekend and evening work is required

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Ability to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 5 pounds regularly and up to 20 pounds occasionally.
• Exhibit manual dexterity to operate office equipment.
• Frequently is required to walk, sit, stand, and reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus, read reports, create presentations, and use a computer system.
• Speaking in audible tones so that others understand clearly, adjusting volume and pace as required. Deliver presentations to large and small groups. Convery detailed or important instructions and ideas accurately and/or quickly.
• Mobility to move/travel as required by duties.

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Work is performed in an office environment with public contact, in-office traffic, and interruptions. Work requires frequent travel and ability to drive long distances and work remotely. Work has deadlines and goals and may be stressful at times. Requires weekend and/or overnight travel.

QUALIFICATIONSCandidates apply within established recruitment dates are required to meet the minimum qualifications to be considered for employment. Minimum qualifications are the absolute smallest amount of experience and education that provide the ability to determine if the candidate could potentially perform well in the position. Preferred are the qualifications that enable a candidate to potentially excel in the position.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, marketing, communications, or related field with five years of successful experience in Advancement work or similar business development experience, preferably in major gift fundraising. Understanding of major gift strategies and processes, with proven track record of personally securing five- to six- figure gifts; demonstrated experience with making cold calls and converting some to donations; deep knowledge of the Advancement profession, such as fundraising principles and trends, along with being a strategic thinker; strong organizational abilities, recording and tracking work in a moves management process, along with an understanding of the importance of data collection and delivery; digital fluency in Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge (or similar CMS), Microsoft software suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Suite, internet applications, etc.; attention to detail, including organization, prioritization, judgment, discretion and problem-solving skill; excellent customer service skills and a commitment to continuous improvement; and demonstrated analytical and fundraising skills with the ability to recognize opportunities, identify critical, high pay-off activities and prioritize them to attain goals.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Higher education experience
• A valid North Carolina Driver’s License is required within 60 days of start date. Must be maintained as a condition of employment.