EHRA637P

https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/21112

Associate Director

Associate Director of Development - #182773

Office, Assistant VC of Development

$55,000 - $60,000

Western Carolina University has been named to the 2022 “America’s Best Employers by State” list by Forbes, ranking 14 out of the top 100 employers in North Carolina. Western Carolina University is the UNC system’s westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South. WCU’s main campus is nestled in a beautiful valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains, 50 miles west of Asheville. WCU is located just 25 miles from the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, one of the nation’s most spectacular and most visited national parks. The entire region is known for its excellent quality of life and access to outdoor activities.Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans – eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Paid vacation and sick leave accrual begin after first month of employment. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences – many of which are offered free of charge.

The primary location of this position is the main Cullowhee, NC campus.

Within WCU’s Division of Advancement, the Associate Director of Development is an EHRA non-faculty, direct fundraising position that works closely with the Directors of Development and reports to the Senior Director of Development. This position will be a front-line fundraiser that is part of an experienced fundraising team. The Associate Director will work closely with the dean of the Belcher College of Fine and Performing Arts and the dean of the Brinson Honors College.

As the University continues towards the goals of the “Honoring Our Promise” strategic plan and as it embarks on a comprehensive campaign, there will be many opportunities for the successful candidate to engage in training and professional development work with a highly motivated team of philanthropy officers. The Division of Advancement is investing heavily in building a culture of philanthropy among our constituencies and a culture of collaboration, professionalism, and teamwork within the office.

The Associate Director of Development will work with Advancement Services and Directors of Development to build and manage a portfolio of leadership annual donors($1,000+/year), assist in identifying and qualifying major gift prospects ($25,000+), and help cultivate their interest in supporting WCU’s immediate and long-term philanthropic goals. The Objective is to increase support for the Brinson Honors College, the oldest residential Honors College in the UNC System, and the Belcher College of Fine and Performing Arts, a thirteen-year-old college named in honor of former Chancellor David Orr Belcher.

The Associate Director of Development will collaborate closely with other advancement staff, as well as faculty, Deans, and volunteer leaders to engage prospects in the work of the University and to build the major gift pipeline. They will also help the development team to manage donor events, volunteer committees, and special projects.

The use of Raiser’s Edge NXT for all documentation of fundraising activity, proposals, and secured gifts is required. Staff within the division must exhibit superior customer service skills and appropriate discretion regarding confidential information.

This position requires some office hours in Cullowhee, NC and evening and weekend hours in Cullowhee, and the broader region. This position also requires travel.

The Associate Director of Development will travel extensively, and spend 75% of time on front-line fundraising activities, including soliciting annual leadership gifts and qualifying major gift prospects. The remaining 25% of time will be spent filing reports, documenting activities; and assisting with events, volunteer committees, and special projects.

Western Carolina University was founded in 1889 to bring education to the people of western North Carolina. Established as a normal school that trained teachers, Western grew from its beginnings as “the Cullowhee Experiment” to become a preeminent regional comprehensive university educating more than 11,000 students across programs at the undergraduate through doctoral level. In its third century of operation, WCU now counts more than 82,000 living alumni. Through the Western Carolina University (WCU) Foundation, the Division of Advancement advances the mission of WCU by securing philanthropic support for its students, programs, faculty, and capital projects. The Foundation’s goal is to aid and assist WCU in its development as a leading educational institution through robust annual, major, and planned giving programs in support of philanthropic priorities, annual expenses and the growth of a strong endowment. University staff representing the Foundation develop and maintain life-long relationships with the university’s broad range of constituents to encourage engagement and facilitate private financial support for WCU. The WCU Foundation, a 501c(3), is an active partner in the University’s mission of education, research, and service, and works aggressively toward these ends. Management of the WCU Foundation is vested in its Board of Directors who provide oversight of the WCU Foundation. Currently in the leadership phase of a comprehensive campaign, the Division of Advancement is led by a Vice Chancellor who reports directly to WCU’s Chancellor.

A bachelor’s degree is required.
Successful candidates will have at least 3-5 years of experience in, sales, alumni relations, fundraising in a non-profit setting, or a related field. Successful candidates will also demonstrate strong interpersonal, organizational, and time-management skills; a high energy level and commitment to professional growth and the mission of higher education; unquestioned integrity and fiscal accountability; ability to plan and achieve long- and short-term fundraising goals while documenting activity; and strong written and oral communication skills.

The ideal candidate will have experience in fundraising in a higher education setting that includes successful closure of individual and/or corporate or foundation gifts. A working knowledge of the fundamentals of planned, major, and annual giving is preferred.

Permanent Full-Time

40

12

07/28/2022

Yes

To be considered, you must apply online.

Attach a cover letter, current resume and a list of references (including complete contact information with name, title, address, email, and phone) to complete the application.

For questions and additional information, please contact Ben Pendry, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Development at 828-227-2558 or bjpendry@wcu.edu

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.

Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; religion; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Additionally, the University promotes the realization of equal employment opportunity for minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans through its affirmative action program.
Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.