Director of Advancement

Role Overview
North Carolina Hillel is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven Director of Advancement to build and lead a comprehensive fundraising program serving Jewish students across all the campuses in the UNC system. Reporting to the Executive Director and serving on the senior leadership team, the Director of Advancement will design and execute an annual giving strategy, supervise the development team, and partner closely with the Board of Directors to grow NC Hillel's philanthropic reach year over year. This is a ground floor opportunity with real room to grow into a larger strategic and major gifts role over time and to build and shape a development function at scale, within an organization recognized in 2025 as a Hillel International Great Place to Work. This position may be based in the Triangle or Charlotte, NC, with some domestic travel required.

Who We Are Looking For
You are a strategic development professional who is equally comfortable in a one-on-one donor conversation, in front of a board committee, and behind the scenes building a moves-management pipeline. You have a genuine passion for Jewish campus life and the ability to translate the work of a multi-campus Hillel into a compelling case for support. You're organized, self-directed, and energized by an organization where you can help shape the next chapter of the development strategy rather than simply maintain what exists. You bring warmth, follow-through, and a collaborative spirit to your work with colleagues, lay leaders, and donors alike.

What You'll Do
Development Strategy & Management

Build and execute an annual fundraising plan and moves-management strategy to grow NC Hillel's philanthropic reach year over year.
Launch and scale NC Hillel's alumni and parent giving programs.
Lead strategic planning around major gift identification and cultivation, growing over time into direct solicitation of major gift donors.
Identify and pursue new revenue streams, grant opportunities, and organizational partnerships.

Donor & Stakeholder Management

Manage a portfolio of donors and prospects with tailored cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation strategies.
Conduct direct solicitations of mid-level and grassroots donors.
Build long-term donor relationships through meaningful recognition and engagement.
Serve as strategic lead for planned giving and other alternative gift vehicles, including matching gifts and donor-advised funds.

Board & Volunteer Management

Serve as the primary professional liaison to the Development Committee, providing strategic guidance and training to strengthen donor cultivation.
Partner with the Executive Director to mobilize the Board of Directors and lay leaders as fundraising ambassadors.

Mass Solicitation & Communication

Lead campaign calendars, mailings, digital communications, and social media for grassroots fundraising, supervising the Marketing and Development Associates and Interns in day-to-day implementation.

Fiscal & Data Management

Research, prepare, and submit grant proposals; manage grant relationships and reporting.
Oversee donor database management (Little Green Light), gift processing, acknowledgment, and monthly benchmark reporting.
Analyze campaign data and donor trends to inform strategy.

Organizational Leadership

Serve on the senior leadership team, contributing to organization-wide strategy alongside the Executive Director.
Supervise and mentor the Marketing Associate and undergraduate Development Interns.
Train campus professionals on best practices for identifying and cultivating parent and alumni donors.

Qualifications & Experience
6+ years of progressive experience in a development role.
Demonstrated success in project management, preferably managing development campaigns, grant writing, solicitation, stewardship, and donor cultivation.
Experience with Jewish communal organizations, Hillel, or university/higher education environments strongly preferred.
Strong proficiency with donor management software and CRM systems; comfort with data analysis and financial reporting.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to craft compelling narratives that inspire giving.
Experience supervising or mentoring staff or volunteers preferred.
Passion for Jewish life, student engagement, and higher education.
Familiarity with the Jewish calendar, religious practice, and the North Carolina Jewish community a plus.
Bachelor's degree required.
We know that no candidate is a 100% match for the skills we listed. If you feel passionate about this role and think you can do the work, please apply.