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Location: Raleigh, NC
Essential Job Duties:
The Senior Donor Services Specialist provides strategic oversight and professional expertise for the evaluation, management, and implementation of naming opportunities across the university, including positions, facilities, and programs. This role exercises independent judgment in applying valuation methodologies, conducting institutional and peer research, and guiding naming proposals through the Board of Trustees (BoT) approval process in alignment with leadership.
The Senior Donor Services Specialist is responsible for recommending minimum gift amounts for all NC State naming opportunities using established formulas and comparative analysis, while ensuring compliance with institutional policies and UNC System requirements. This position manages the full lifecycle of naming opportunities-from concept and valuation through approval, documentation, and recognition implementation.
The role maintains records of past, current, and prospective naming opportunities within institutional systems, including the naming database (FM Interact) and our Advancement CRM (Lobo). Responsibilities include monitoring fulfillment of gift commitments, coordinating donor recognition and signage approvals, and ensuring accurate installation in partnership with Facilities and campus units. The Senior Donor Services Specialist also develops and maintains donor naming maps and other strategic tools to support colleges and units.
We are seeking a highly motivated professional who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and demonstrates sound judgment, discretion, and attention to detail. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional writing and analytical skills, manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, and collaborate frequently with frontline development staff, the Provost's Office, Facilities, and other senior campus partners.
This position reports to the Associate Director of Donor Services.
Other Work/Responsibilities:
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
- Exercise independent professional judgment to evaluate and manage naming opportunities ranging from major facilities (e.g., buildings and wings) to smaller assets (e.g., classrooms, benches, and scholarships).
- Apply established valuation formulas and conduct peer-institution benchmarking and comparative research to recommend minimum gift amounts.
- Maintain and regularly update a comprehensive inventory of naming opportunities using FMI, Salesforce (Lobo), and supplemental tracking tools.
- Develop and maintain naming opportunity maps and visual tools for colleges and units using Microsoft Visio or comparable software.
- Oversee tracking of required gift payments and ensure compliance with approved naming agreements.
- Coordinate donor recognition and signage approval processes and partner with colleges, units, and Facilities to ensure timely and accurate installation.
- Conduct historical and policy research related to prior namings and Board of Trustees actions to ensure institutional consistency and compliance.
- Draft, review, and finalize donor proposals and naming agreements for presentation to and approval by the Board of Trustees.
- Prepare and manage Board of Trustees agendas and supporting documentation related to naming opportunities.
- Serve as the primary Donor Services liaison for naming-related matters with Facilities, the Provost's Office, Human Resources, Legal, and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for University Advancement.
- Ensure all naming proposals adhere to institutional naming policies and procedures, including vetting of honorees and securing required approvals.
- Maintain accurate, complete, and auditable naming records to support reporting, compliance, and historical preservation.
- Contribute to the assessment and continuous improvement of naming-related processes and workflows.
Minimum Experience/Education:
- Bachelor's degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
- Two years of experience in university advancement, advancement services, stewardship, fundraising, donor relations or a related field.
Required Qualifications:
- Demonstrated ability to work independently while effectively managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
- Proficiency in donor databases, customer relationship management (CRM) systems and project management tools, with advanced experience using Salesforce or comparable platforms.
- Experience in drafting, editing, and finalizing proposals and agreements.
- Demonstrate exceptional organizational skills, including meticulous recordkeeping and effective tracking of processes, tasks, and requests.
- Exhibit advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Workspace tools.
- Quickly learn and adapt to new software applications and systems, leveraging technology to improve workflows, problem-solving and operational efficiency.
- Apply strong analytical and problem-solving skills to evaluate complex situations and recommend effective solutions.
- Experience streamlining processes and implementing improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
- Demonstrated experience handling confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
- Provide excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders through responsive, thoughtful, and solution-oriented engagement.
- Exhibit exceptional attention to detail and a high level of accuracy in all written and administrative work.
- Knowledge of legal contract writing and negotiation principles, particularly related to donor agreements and institutional policies.
- Must have strong mathematical skills.
- Possess advanced written and verbal communication skills, including expert use of English grammar, punctuation, spelling, and syntax.
- Ability to conduct independent research and synthesize findings to support decision-making and institutional consistency.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Previous experience in one or more of the following areas: advancement services, donor relations, donor services, gift compliance, gift administration, communications, stewardship writing, prospect development, fundraising, fundraising-related research, reporting, legal or contract writing, grant writing or a related field, preferably within large or complex organizations such as institutions of higher education, private schools, foundations, health care systems or nonprofit organizations.
- Demonstrated experience in professional writing and editing.
- Experience using project tracking or project management software.
- Experience working with database systems and process-tracking tools.
- Strong aptitude for interpreting maps, diagrams and construction or space plans.
- Experience developing manuals, guides and resource materials.
- Experience creating maps or diagrams to support naming opportunities or programs, using tools such as Microsoft Visio or comparable software.
Required License or Certification:
AA/EEO Statement:
NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.
