Director of Advancement

Book Harvest • Durham, NC

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Book Harvest is seeking a Director of Advancement to lead individual and corporate fundraising and support the organization’s growth. This full-time, Director-level position is based in Durham, North Carolina, with approximately 40–50% of work time in the office and much of the remainder spent meeting donors and partners in the community. The schedule is primarily Monday through Friday, with some evenings, weekends, and regular travel across North Carolina.

The Director will grow Book Harvest’s Founders Circle major-gifts program, deepen corporate partnerships, and help develop the team and systems needed to expand both revenue streams. The role will develop and execute strategies to grow major individual giving to more than $4 million by December 2027 and sustain corporate revenue at 13–15% of the annual budget. The Director will hold a personal portfolio of major donors and prospects, design donor experiences, cultivate executive-level corporate relationships, and partner with the CEO, board members, and advancement leadership on significant gifts and partnerships.

The position is a strategic thought partner to the National Director of Advancement, contributing to advancement planning, team processes, revenue forecasting, and operational improvements. It collaborates with the C-Suite, board members, program colleagues, the CFO as directed, and the Volunteer Manager. The Director will supervise select advancement staff in the future and champion Book Harvest’s Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion commitments.

Requirements

• At least 7 years of nonprofit fundraising or similar experience.
• A proven record of securing and sustaining five- to seven-figure gifts.
• Strong experience in prospecting, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Exceptional ability to build authentic, trust-based partnerships with donors, board members, and community leaders, and to engage C-suite executives and corporate leaders.
• Experience designing and executing fundraising plans aligned with organizational goals and values.
• Superior written and verbal communication and negotiation skills, including the ability to inspire and motivate through storytelling.
• Familiarity with donor database systems such as Virtuous or similar.
• Strong Google Suite and Microsoft Office skills.
• Ability to lead with integrity and emotional intelligence, foster a culture of learning, and institutionalize equitable practices that advance DEBI goals.
• Ability to articulate strategy persuasively to executives and external stakeholders; build and lead high-performing cross-functional teams; direct complex project portfolios toward measurable results; make sound high-stakes decisions; lead through change with agility; and develop long-term strategies grounded in foresight.
• College degrees are not required.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the CEO to lead and grow the Founders Circle and manage a personal portfolio of top donors and prospects.
• Develop and execute strategies to grow major individual gifts by more than $1 million annually and reach more than $4 million by December 2027, with financial and relationship benchmarks.
• Design custom donor journeys, site visits, and experiences that show donors the impact of their investment.
• Partner with the CEO, board members, and National Director of Advancement on cultivation and solicitation strategies for six- and seven-figure gifts.
• Shape strategies for spring and year-end appeals, sustaining-donor growth, and the foundations of a planned-giving program.
• Lead a multi-year corporate engagement strategy to secure 13–15% of annual revenue, locally, regionally, and nationally.
• Oversee sponsorship packages and benefits fulfillment for signature initiatives, including the Dream Big Book Drive and Summer Block Party.
• Cultivate and steward executive-level corporate relationships, aligning partners’ CSR goals with Book Harvest’s mission.
• Partner with the Volunteer Manager to grow employee giving, matching gifts, cause-marketing campaigns, and corporate volunteer experiences.
• Contribute to the annual advancement plan, revenue goals, and departmental priorities in partnership with the National Director of Advancement.
• Manage weekly pipeline reviews, moves management, and shared calendars for proposals, reports, appeals, and events.
• Translate pipeline activity into short-, mid-, and long-term revenue forecasts, working with the National Director of Advancement and partnering with the CFO as directed.
• Review proposals and reports for alignment and quality, and write or co-write priority submissions.
• Partner with program colleagues to capture outcomes and stories that demonstrate funder impact.
• Identify funding opportunities that advance organizational goals for scale and policy influence.
• Maintain and improve standard operating procedures, prospect research, and reporting systems.
• Participate in all-staff meetings, retreats, and program visits; pursue professional development; and champion DEBI commitments across team practices and partnerships.
• Supervise select advancement staff in the future.

Benefits

• 100% employer-sponsored healthcare, with elective dental, vision, disability, and life coverage.
• 401(k) with an automatic 3% employer contribution; no match is required.
• Generous paid time off.
• Dedicated paid family leave.
• Sabbatical leaves.
• Professional development funds.
• Flexible schedule.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed