Assistant Director of Development-School of Data & Information Sciences (SDIS)

UNC-Chapel Hill•Chapel Hill, NC

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Development supports the School of Data and Information Sciences’ (SDIS) advancement program by assisting with donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, engagement, and development operations. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Assistant Director helps build the prospect pipeline, strengthen donor relationships, and advance fundraising priorities across annual, leadership, and major giving efforts. In collaboration with the University Development Office (UDO), Annual Giving, prospect research partners, and SDIS leadership, the Assistant Director also supports prospect identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. The position uses donor and prospect data to identify opportunities for deeper engagement and giving. The Assistant Director prepares donor briefings, contact reports, proposals, presentations, and other materials to support strategic donor engagement and fundraising activity involving the Dean and other senior leaders. The Assistant Director supports a comprehensive stewardship and donor relations program designed to strengthen donor retention and demonstrate the impact of philanthropy. Responsibilities include developing donor communications, impact reports, recognition materials, and other stewardship activities that connect donors to SDIS’s mission, priorities, and beneficiaries. The position also provides advancement services and operational support, including maintaining accurate and timely donor records in DAVIE, the University’s CRM system; tracking donor activity and fundraising progress; supporting development reporting and budget management; and maintaining development calendars and schedules. Serving as a key liaison among SDIS leadership, UDO partners, campus colleagues, donors, alumni, and other external constituents, the Assistant Director must demonstrate strong organizational, analytical, communication, event-planning and relationship-building skills. The position requires the ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and work effectively in a collaborative and fast-paced environment.

Requirements

Demonstrated ability to build and maintain trust-based relationships with donors, alumni, parents, volunteers, faculty, staff, and other constituents.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across teams and organizational levels.
Working knowledge of the principles and practices of donor stewardship, fundraising, gift management, prospect development, alumni engagement, event planning, and advancement operations, preferably within higher education or a nonprofit environment.
Demonstrated ability to understand donor interests, motivations, and philanthropic priorities and translate that understanding into meaningful engagement and stewardship strategies.
Demonstrated critical thinking, sound judgment, discretion, and a proactive approach to managing projects, resolving issues, tracking deliverables, and communicating progress.
Ability to synthesize complex information and communicate it clearly and concisely to support decision-making and donor engagement.
Strong organizational, project management, and implementation skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, meet deadlines, and maintain attention to detail in a dynamic environment.
Experience working with donor databases or CRM systems and using data, reports, and other information to support fundraising, stewardship, events, and donor engagement activities.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare professional donor correspondence, briefings, reports, presentations, and other development materials.

Nice To Haves

1-3 years of experience in development, fundraising, donor relations, alumni engagement, event planning, higher education advancement, nonprofit advancement, or relevant transferable experience.

Responsibilities

Assist with donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, engagement, and development operations.
Build the prospect pipeline and strengthen donor relationships.
Advance fundraising priorities across annual, leadership, and major giving efforts.
Support prospect identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship in collaboration with UDO, Annual Giving, prospect research partners, and SDIS leadership.
Use donor and prospect data to identify opportunities for deeper engagement and giving.
Prepare donor briefings, contact reports, proposals, presentations, and other materials to support strategic donor engagement and fundraising activity.
Support a comprehensive stewardship and donor relations program to strengthen donor retention and demonstrate the impact of philanthropy.
Develop donor communications, impact reports, recognition materials, and other stewardship activities.
Provide advancement services and operational support, including maintaining accurate donor records in DAVIE.
Track donor activity and fundraising progress.
Support development reporting and budget management.
Maintain development calendars and schedules.
Serve as a key liaison among SDIS leadership, UDO partners, campus colleagues, donors, alumni, and other external constituents.
Manage multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and work effectively in a collaborative and fast-paced environment.