Senior Director of Development

Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm; some evenings and weekends

The Office of University Development is a core pillar within the Division of University Advancement, dedicated to building the philanthropic relationships that fuel UNC Charlotte's mission. We engage a diverse network of alumni, donors, faculty, and corporate and community partners to accelerate philanthropic giving and drive institutional growth. Our work is currently centered on the For the Love of Charlotte campaign, a historic $500 million initiative and the largest in the University's history. This campaign is a bold investment in our future, structured around three critical pillars: Student Success & Opportunity, Academic & Research Leadership, and Campus & Community Vibrancy. As we strive toward our goal, the impact of your work will be felt across a rapidly ascending institution. UNC Charlotte recently hit a milestone enrollment of over 32,000 students, making us one of the fastest-growing universities in the nation. As a newly designated R1 research institution, we are ranked among the top 100 public research universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. With nearly 200,000 alumni, the majority of whom remain in the Charlotte metropolitan area, our fundraising efforts directly power the talent pipeline for one of the nation's most dynamic financial and technology hubs. By joining this team, you are not just raising funds; you are architecting the future of North Carolina's urban research university during its most transformative era.

The Senior Director of Development ( SDOD) is an action-oriented fundraising leader with a documented history of driving six and seven-figure philanthropic results. As a primary architect of growth for the William States Lee College of Engineering, the SDOD must be a high achiever with a passion for high-impact discovery work and a natural relationship builder. This role requires a confident self-starter who excels in an autonomous environment and possesses the discipline to thrive with minimal supervision. A master connector, the SDOD utilizes strong relationship management skills to identify donor passions and strategically align them with university priorities. The SDOD is a skilled communicator and public speaker, adept at crafting and delivering compelling pitches that motivate and inspire donors to invest philanthropically in UNC Charlotte. As a key driver of the ambitious $500M For the Love of Charlotte Campaign, the SDOD will independently assess fundraising opportunities and deploy targeted strategies to drive revenue. In this pivotal role, the SDOD will serve as a strategic partner to the Dean and college leadership, engaging them in the development process to advance the College's mission. By building a robust pipeline of major gift prospects, the SDOD will cultivate philanthropic partnerships with alumni, corporate leaders, and friends to ensure the University's continued excellence and philanthropic success.

Leadership & Executive Partnership

Collaboration & Administration

Other Responsibilities

A sign-on bonus may be available for select candidates based on specific fundraising expertise, but it is not guaranteed. Bonus eligibility will be determined on an individual basis during the final interview and offer stages.