Position Announcement September 2022
Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit:
The North Carolina Arboretum is a 434-acre public garden affiliated with the University of North Carolina featuring indoor and outdoor exhibits, educational activities, plant-centered research and economic development programs.
The North Carolina Arboretum Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports the Arboretum’s mission of cultivating connections between people and plants through membership; individual, foundation and corporate giving programs; retail operations; volunteer programs; marketing; fee-based educational programs; exhibits; and green events.
About the Opportunity:
The Development Director is responsible for creating and implementing a comprehensive and strategic development plan that includes major gifts, annual giving, membership, donor stewardship, and planned giving. The Development Director works closely with the Executive Director and the Boards to enhance and support the overall mission of the NC Arboretum, and to ensure that ample philanthropic funds are generated.
The Development Director manages a small staff and serves as a member of The NC Arboretum executive team. The director will also serve as the internal lead of the Arboretum’s first capital campaign, which is in the planning phase.
The North Carolina Arboretum Society has over 18,000 member households and many qualified major donors. The Director will supervise, set direction, and support the work of all fundraising functions of the NC Arboretum. They will also establish and execute forward-thinking philanthropic and strategic programs that optimally grow the annual, major, and capital campaigns; legacy gifts; and planned giving. This hands-on Director role will work alongside staff, volunteers and board members to steward relationships with donors to fully realize the future vision of The North Carolina Arboretum.
Development & Strategic Fundraising Leadership
• Serve as the liaison to the Development Committee
• Oversee and manage all fundraising functions of NC Arboretum.
• Develop and implement the overall development plan.
• Serve actively with Board members and foster relationships with The North Carolina Arboretum Board of Directors and The North Carolina Arboretum Society Board of Directors.
• Develop and implement plans for new fundraising initiatives.
• Work evenings and weekends on occasion by attending campus events, which may directly affect fundraising. The candidate is expected to travel frequently and be fluent in the various options needed to schedule efficient, safe, and cost-effective travel.
• With the Major Gifts Manager, manages the Planned Giving program, including creating and implementing an annual plan that includes regular touch points and maximizing website usage and communications vehicles.
• Enhance existing relationships while building new relationships, systems, and programs that further tap into the generosity and resources of the community
• Nurture and maintain a highly collaborative relationship with staff, departments board chairs and individual board members, supporting them in all their fundraising responsibilities, and accompanying them on donor visits when appropriate
• Collaborate with the Communications & Marketing division and other departments on public relations initiatives and the production of fundraising-related communication materials to expand and enhance the school's visibility and reputation
• Develop strategic cultivation and annual solicitation programs specifically targeting high- prospect donors and the Arboretum audience.
• Identify corporate and foundation funding opportunities and oversee draft grant applications
Capital Campaign and Fund Development, oversee multi-million capital campaign and all related events, activities, and reporting, as well as oversee the Campaign Steering Committee.
Administrative
• Serves as a member of the NC Arboretum executive team.
• Manage a small team of staff and temporary employees
Maintains plans in Tessitura CRM on each prospect, documenting active and passive moves on a regular basis for each prospect.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years of experience in fundraising in a non-profit setting that includes successful closure of significant individual and/or corporate/foundation gifts.
Required Competencies:
The successful candidate should also have:
Technical Knowledge:
• Thorough knowledge of the development field, fundraising techniques and fundraising ethics. Demonstrated success and direct experience with annual fund campaigns and capital campaigns experience is a plus.
• Proven record of accomplishment in solicitation and securing major gifts.
• Extensive organizational and people skills with experience in working independently.
• Budget management experience
• Proficiency in computer skills to include using Microsoft Office and Google platform programs, especially Microsoft Excel
• Prior experience with a donor database such as Altru, Tessitura, or Raiser’s Edge, including the ability to create and update records without error and the ability to analyze the donor database through various reports. Tessitura and familiarity with industry best practices related to metrics.
• Excellence in organizational and managerial skills in a non-profit
• Passion for working with a wide range of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including colleagues, parents, members and donors
• Ease with a fast-paced work environment and the ability to successfully manage multiple priorities on a regular basis is needed.
• A commitment to DEIAB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Belonging) values and ability to interact and build relationships with people of diverse backgrounds, personalities, and characteristics is also necessary.
• Knowledge and experience with donor research tools, including internet-based data and databases, such as DonorSearch or WealthEngine.
• Desire to build a small and highly motivated volunteer and staff team that can help meet the financial vision of the Arboretum is required
Communication:
• Extensive organizational and people skills with experience in working independently and managing a team
• Enthusiasm for the Arboretum’s mission and ability to share that excitement with others
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing is necessary. Must be comfortable talking on the phone and with face-to-face interactions.
• Excellent listening skills, confidence, ability to relate to people of all ages and backgrounds, ability to nurture and steward professional relationships with donors from prospect to a lifelong range of philanthropic giving.
• The ability to analyze donor potential and donor desires and to connect them with Arboretum needs and goals.
• Ability to work independently and collectively to advance the work of a team and to accomplish agreed-upon goals.
• Ability to coach other staff and volunteers to help them conduct major donor outreach and secure gifts.
• Good balance between people orientation and goal orientation.
• Initiative, innovation, and creativity.
• Self-directed and motivated to excel in a metrics-driven environment.
• Ability to plan, organize, implement, oversee and coordinate multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated competence in delivering presentations to a wide range of individuals and groups and position levels.
• Willing to approach roles and tasks with a commitment to the mission and values of The North Carolina Arboretum.
Work Environment and Physical Demands:
• When on campus, this position is located in a climate-controlled office includes some home- based remote work. This will predominantly be a hybrid work role. This means being on our campus 1-2 days a week and/or for various events, tours and meeting with donors.
• Digital dexterity and hand/eye coordination in operation of standard office equipment (computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets).
• Position requires a minimum amount of external activity, and on occasion may require (mostly local) travel.
• Light lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling of supplies, files, etc.: generally, up to 10 lbs. and occasionally up to 25 lbs.
• Occasional stooping, kneeling, crouching.
• Ability to speak clearly to and hear/listen to employees/clients via phone or in person.
The physical demands and safe working expectations described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job, with or without a reasonable accommodation. While this description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current position, it is not necessarily exhaustive of all responsibilities, duties, requirements or expectations of this position. The North Carolina Arboretum reserves the right to revise or amend this description based on business needs or changes to the work environment.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check
To apply: https://northcarolina.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home?c=northcarolina
Equal Employment Opportunity and Other Information
The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.
The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
To claim veteran's preference, all eligible persons must indicate their eligibility as requested on the application. A DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, may be required later in the selection process.
The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.
Human Resources Contact Information
Applicants needing assistance with the application process are asked to contact:
[email protected]