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Location: Raleigh, NC
Essential Job Duties:
NC State seeks a strategic, collaborative and forward-thinking Director of Prospect Development to lead a high-performing team responsible for prospect research, portfolio management and data-driven insights that inform and advance fundraising strategy. In collaboration with University Development leadership, the Director will help shape the university's emerging prospect development model, leveraging NC State's newly launched Kindsight Ascend on Salesforce CRM (Lobo), integrating AI and next-generation tools in preparation for a university-wide comprehensive campaign.
This is a pivotal leadership opportunity to reimagine how NC State identifies and engages philanthropic prospects: blending technology, data and human insight to drive greater alignment across a decentralized advancement ecosystem. The Director will lead efforts to build a unified, innovative and service-minded Prospect Development program that empowers fundraisers, amplifies institutional priorities and embraces continuous learning.
Reporting to the Senior Director of Philanthropy for Comprehensive Campaign Strategy, the Director will play a critical role in shaping strategy for NC State's next campaign. This role requires strategic vision, strong people leadership and a willingness to explore bold, innovative ideas that advance NC State's culture of philanthropy.
Other Work/Responsibilities:
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead a dynamic, future-oriented Prospect Development team and program dedicated to supporting strategic fundraising across University Advancement
- Collaborate with University Development leadership and other campus partners in campaign strategy development including gift pyramid modeling, portfolio alignment and pipeline analysis to support principal and major gift activity
- Champion the integration of emerging technologies-including artificial intelligence, machine learning and predictive modeling-to enhance prospect discovery, segmentation and personalization
- In partnership with the Advancement Information Technology team, drive business intelligence through the creation and delivery impactful reports and dashboards (e.g. in Tableau) to inform campaign strategy, monitor portfolio performance and support data-informed decision making for UA leadership
- Manage and mentor a skilled Prospect Development team, empowering staff with the tools, clarity and support they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving field
- Build effective client-facing relationships with fundraisers in both central and college/unit-based advancement teams
- Foster a culture of experimentation, curiosity and collaboration-embracing agile practices and encouraging innovative problem-solving across the team
- Design and implement scalable research and prospect management practices to grow prospect pools for fundraising teams across UA that enable fundraising success
- Build and champion a culture of ethical data stewardship and business intelligence that are transparent and effective in a decentralized environment
Minimum Experience/Education:
- Bachelor's degree
- Minimum of five years of prospect development experience
- Minimum of three years of strong, demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills
Required Qualifications:
- Strong, demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills, with experience leading a team while building trust and collaboration across departments
- Experience in building effective relationships and collaborating with senior leadership, campus partners and fundraisers to develop aligned strategies, advance shared goals and drive fundraising success
- Excellent analytical skills, including the ability to interpret and present complex data, prospecting strategies and new technologies clearly and effectively to a variety of audiences
- Expertise in prospect research and prospect management, with knowledge of current best practices, ethical standards and data governance
- Demonstrated ability to apply prospect research strategies to identify and prioritize prospects aligned with university initiatives and strategic objectives
- Proven experience designing and executing research methodologies, rating systems and portfolio strategies aligned to institutional goals
- Ability to identify, evaluate and implement technology solutions, processes and systems that support research and fundraising
- Excellent organizational, time management and project management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities and meet deadlines
- Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to facilitate cross-functional collaboration and influence without authority
- High attention to detail, sound judgment and experience handling sensitive and confidential information
- Fluency in the use of relationship databases, data tools and software (e.g. Salesforce, Tableau, Excel, subscription research tools)
- Experience managing budgets, contracts and vendor relationships
- Strong commitment to customer service, continuous improvement and operational excellence
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working in a decentralized fundraising environment, particularly at a large public or research-intensive university
- Experience supporting or leading comprehensive campaign strategy, including pipeline analysis, gift table modeling, and prospect segmentation
- Experience in frontline fundraising or other external-facing/client-serving role
- Experience with Kindsight Ascend on Salesforce CRM
- Experience implementing or using AI, predictive modeling or advanced analytics to inform prospect strategy and portfolio optimization
- Experience in delivering client-facing services and building effective relationships.
Required License or Certification:
N/A
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.
