New

Executive Director of Strategic Engagement and Annual Giving

University of North Carolina Charlotte

United States, North Carolina, Charlotte

May 19, 2025

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

The finalist will be subject to a Criminal Background Check and/or a Motor Vehicle Report
The Search Committee will not contact references without first verifying permission with the finalist.
Please ensure your resume reflects the knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences to support your answers to the supplemental questions.
UNC Charlotte Benefits Information: https://hr.charlotte.edu/benefits/benefits-overview/

Position Information

General Information

Position Number	000801
Vacancy Open to	All Candidates
Working Title	Executive Director of Strategic Engagement and Annual Giving
Position Designation	EHRA Non-Faculty
Employment Type	Permanent - Full-time
Months per Year	12
Work Schedule	Typical University hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. The schedule for this position may vary and will be determined upon hire with the supervisor's approval.
Hours per week	40
FLSA Status	Exempt
Division	University Advancement
Department	Development (Adm)
Work Location	Foundation Building
Salary Range	$95,000 - $105,000
Primary Purpose of Department	The Office of University Development's primary purpose is one of service and fundraising. These efforts include working closely with the divisions and departments requiring fundraising for special projects to increase private giving to the University. The Office of University Development is within the division of University Advancement.
Primary Purpose of Position	The Executive Director of Strategic Engagement & Annual Giving serves as a key leader within the Advancement team, responsible for designing and implementing engagement strategies that strengthen relationships with alumni, donors, and other stakeholders. This role integrates strategic planning, communications, and programmatic engagement efforts to build a robust culture of philanthropy, institutional pride, and build the pipeline of donors through annual fund acquisition and retention. The Executive Director works closely with alumni engagement, donor relations, advancement operations, campus communication teams, development directors, and volunteer boards to coordinate and increase annual support for UNC Charlotte. This position oversees full-time assistant directors and is responsible for managing the infrastructure of a centralized annual giving program and strategic engagement program while developing measurements to track performance.
Summary of Position Responsibilities	Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the annual giving team. Oversee efforts to expand philanthropic support across constituencies, including alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, and friends of the university. Manage program budgets and establish policies and procedures to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of annual giving initiatives. Develop and implement annual and multi-year strategic plans for engagement and annual giving programs. Lead signature university events (e.g., Niner Nation Week, Niner Nation Gives) aligned with fundraising and stewardship goals. Collaborate across Advancement, Marketing, and Alumni Engagement to coordinate integrated outreach initiatives. Provide strategic oversight for communications supporting crowdfunding, online giving, and stewardship. Support a culture of innovation by identifying new technologies, platforms, or approaches for engagement.
Minimum Education/Experience	Bachelor's degree required. Minimum of 5+ years of progressive experience in fundraising, particularly annual fund.
Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills and Experience	Masters degree Proven success in leading teams, developing strategy, and managing complex programs. Demonstrated success in leading fundraising campaigns, donor engagement strategies, and cross-functional team management. Deep understanding of fundraising principles, donor stewardship, and constituent engagement best practices. Proficiency in using data and analytics for decision-making, performance tracking, and strategic planning. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience in developing content for campaigns, digital platforms, and donor communications. Strong communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills. Proficient in CRM systems (e.g., Blackbaud, Raiser's Edge, Salesforce) and digital engagement tools. Ability to foster collaboration across departments and build strong relationships with stakeholders, including university leadership, faculty, alumni, and external partners.
Necessary Certifications/Licenses
Preferred Certifications/Licenses
Special Notes to Applicants	The finalist will be subject to a Criminal Background Check and/or a Motor Vehicle Report The Search Committee will not contact references without first verifying permission with the finalist. Please ensure your resume reflects the knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences to support your answers to the supplemental questions. UNC Charlotte Benefits Information: https://hr.charlotte.edu/benefits/benefits-overview/
Posting Open Date	05/19/2025
Posting Close Date	05/27/2025
Open Until Filled	No
Proposed Hire Date
If time-limited please indicate appointment end date
Contact Information

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

*
How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
- UNC Charlotte Website
- HERC Job Board
- Inside Higher Education
- Circa (formerly known as Local JobNetwork)
- Another Website
- Agency Referral
- Advertisement/Publication
- Personal Referral
- Other
Where did you learn about this posting?

(Open Ended Question)
*
Do you have a Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in fundraising, particularly annual fund?
- Yes
- No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

Resume / Curriculum Vitae
Cover Letter / Letter of Interest
Contact Information for References

Optional Documents