Notice: If you are seeing this position posted on a job board other than the official Meredith College career posting page, please know that any pay range included is not authorized or approved by Meredith College and may not reflect the actual pay rate for the position.

The Senior Director of Strategic Giving is a senior-level fundraising leader responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of high-net-worth alumnae, families, and other major donors. This position plays a critical role in building and sustaining a robust donor pipeline that supports the College's strategic priorities and long-term advancement goals. Working in close collaboration with the Associate Vice President and other senior leaders, this role is expected to secure major and principal gifts, develop customized engagement strategies, and lead comprehensive fundraising efforts that drive institutional growth.

Duties:

Portfolio Management:
- Manage a portfolio of approximately 100 major and principal gift prospects. Conduct approximately 200 personal prospect visits annually and maintain consistent follow-up and engagement activities.

Strategic Fundraising:
- Develop and execute individual strategies for cultivating and soliciting gifts of $50,000 and above. Secure a minimum of $1M+ annually by year two in new commitments through personalized proposals and long-term donor engagement.

Prospect Development:
- Identify and qualify new major gift prospects through proactive research, internal referrals, and personal outreach. Develop a pipeline to support future campaign feasibility and planning.

Donor Engagement:
- Serve as a strategic liaison for key campus constituencies and programs. Work collaboratively with academic leadership, the president, and VPIA to align fundraising priorities with institutional goals.

Proposal Development:
- Prepare 10–15 comprehensive, customized gift proposals annually that clearly communicate institutional impact and donor ROI.

Travel & Presence:
- Maintain an active travel schedule (average 10–12 days per month) to engage prospects nationally. Represent the College at regional and campus-based advancement events.

Collaboration & Leadership:
- Serve as a senior member of the Institutional Advancement team, mentoring junior gift officers and contributing to cross-departmental planning and strategy.

Events & Stewardship:
- Support, coordinate and/or attend institutional and advancement events as required, including evenings and weekends. Ensure high-level stewardship practices are in place for all major gift donors.

Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (e.g., Master’s, CFRE certification) preferred.
Experience: Minimum of 10 years of progressive, successful experience in major gifts fundraising or equivalent development leadership in higher education or the nonprofit sector. Demonstrated success in securing gifts of $100,000+.
Expertise in Donor Relations: Deep understanding of the donor life cycle, wealth indicators, and moves management strategies.
Leadership & Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with executive leadership, boards, and academic units. Experience leading or mentoring development teams is a plus.
Technical Skills: Proficient in donor database systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Slate), Microsoft Office Suite, and data analytics tools. Understanding of data-driven fundraising strategy.
Other Requirements: Valid NC driver’s license and ability to travel frequently; flexible work hours including nights and weekends as needed.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands:
- Standard office environment with moderate noise levels
- Frequent travel required (up to 70%)
- Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. on occasion (event materials, etc.)
- Must be able to work evenings and weekends as needed

Required Documents:
- Cover Letter
- Resume