Director of Leadership Giving
About The Position
The Director of Leadership Giving provides strategic and operational leadership for Habitat Charlotte Region’s mid-level, major, and planned giving programs. This role is responsible for building a strong donor pipeline that moves supporters from mid-level engagement to transformational investment. This leader oversees a team of three fundraising professionals, setting strategy, driving performance, and ensuring an exceptional donor experience. The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of closing significant gifts, mentoring fundraisers, and building scalable systems that support long-term philanthropic growth.
Requirements
- 7–10 years of progressive experience in major gift fundraising, with a demonstrated ability to secure gifts of $100,000+.
- Proven experience managing and developing fundraising staff.
- Strong understanding of donor pipeline development and strategies that move donors from mid-level to major giving.
- Working knowledge of planned giving vehicles and donor-centered fundraising practices.
- Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
- Passion for Habitat Charlotte Region’s mission and affordable housing initiatives.
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Experience with CRM systems (Salesforce or similar) strongly preferred.
Nice To Haves
- CFRE or advanced degree preferred.
Responsibilities
- Lead the vision and execution of an integrated mid-level and major giving program to increase donor engagement, retention, and revenue.
- Manage a personal portfolio of leadership donors and prospects, securing gifts of $10,000+ and multi-year commitments of $50,000+.
- Develop and implement tailored cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies aligned with donor interests and organizational priorities.
- Partner with senior leadership to craft compelling cases for support and funding opportunities.
- Identify, cultivate, and solicit planned giving prospects, including bequests, charitable gift annuities, and trusts.
- Integrate legacy giving into donor conversations and promote planned giving through targeted outreach and education.
- Supervise, coach, and develop a team of fundraising professionals, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.
- Establish clear goals, performance metrics, and accountability structures aligned with organizational objectives.
- Provide ongoing mentorship, portfolio strategy guidance, and professional development to strengthen team effectiveness.
- Collaborate with senior staff, board members, and development committees to deepen relationships with leadership donors.
- Ensure a best-in-class donor experience through personalized stewardship, recognition, and consistent communication.
- Strengthen systems, tools, and processes to support a scalable leadership giving program.
- Utilize data-driven insights to inform strategy and decision-making.
- Contribute to strategic planning for capital campaigns and long-term fundraising initiatives.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
