Assistant Director of Donor Relations for Engagement

Position Information

General Information

Vacancy Open to All Candidates Employment Type Permanent - Full-time If time-limited, note appointment end date Hours per week 40 Months per year 12 Position Number 000107 NC Salary Grade Equivalency NC12 Classification Title University Program Specialist - Journey Working Title Assistant Director of Donor Relations for Engagement Salary Range $52,721 - $72,491 Anticipate Hiring Range $52,721 - $67,878 FLSA Status Non Exempt Division University Advancement Department University Advance Operations (Adm) Work Unit Donor Relations Work Schedule

8:00 am - 5:00 pm; Monday - Friday with occasional evening and weekend hours required, as necessary.

One telework day per week may be available with supervisor approval after initial onboarding and training.

Primary Purpose of Position

The Assistant Director of Donor Relations for Engagement is responsible for managing and coordinating donor recognition, engagement, and retention programs that support the University's fundraising efforts, including high-level, customized stewardship for the University's most significant donors. The position provides creative consultation and strategic guidance to fundraising staff on donor engagement and stewardship strategies, informed by current research, trends, and best practices.

Minimum Education/Experience

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and one (1) year of experience related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of education and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Note: Some state job postings state you can qualify by an 'equivalent combination of education and experience.' If that language appears above, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both.

Essential Job Duties

• Lead the development and execution of donor recognition, engagement, and retention programs, including donor impact materials, stewardship communications, and strategic initiatives.
• Direct customized stewardship and engagement experiences for the University's most significant and prominent donors, including personalized visits, recognition opportunities, special presentations, and other strategic touchpoints.
• Manage donor communications and impact reporting across print, digital, video, and personalized channels to communicate the impact of philanthropy effectively.
• Lead engagement and outreach efforts for University giving societies, including welcome communications, ongoing stewardship, milestone recognition, and other initiatives designed to strengthen donor loyalty and retention.
• Track, analyze, and report on donor engagement and stewardship activities; use donor data, trends, and performance metrics to evaluate programs and inform strategic decision-making.
• Provide strategic consultation and guidance to development officers, University leadership, and campus partners on donor stewardship and engagement strategies and best practices.

Other Work Responsibilities

• Oversee the administration of plaques, signage, and other recognition for newly named campus spaces in accordance with University policies and donor recognition standards.
• Develop and maintain records of existing and available named spaces across campus to support donor recognition and stewardship activities.
• Support strategic events by assisting with donor invitation lists, donor data, and identification of appropriate prospects and giving society members.
• Research and prepare nominations for donor awards and other recognition opportunities.
• Assist with drafting and managing gift-related correspondence from the Chancellor and other University leadership.
• Serve on cross-functional teams, planning committees, and special projects supporting initiatives such as Niner Nation Gives, #GivingTuesday, Niner Nation Week, and other University Advancement priorities.

Departmental Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education

• Professional experience in donor relations, advancement, development, or a related field, with demonstrated experience writing and editing communications for external audiences; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience using Salesforce Ascend or a similar constituent relationship management (CRM) or advancement database to manage donor and constituent information, track engagement, and maintain accurate records.
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with the ability to tailor communications to a variety of audiences.
• Strong attention to detail and a demonstrated commitment to producing accurate, high-quality work.
• Experience working in higher education advancement, nonprofit development, or a related fundraising environment.

Necessary Licenses or Certifications

• None

Work Location Foundation Building Posting date 09/21/2026 Closing date 10/07/2026 Proposed Hire Date Contact Information Special Notes to Applicants

As part of the selection process, you may be asked to complete a professional writing exercise related to the position. Examples may include drafting a letter of thanks or acknowledgment, a scholarship or donor impact piece, a donor retention or outreach publication, or a section of an annual report.

• The finalist will be subject to a Criminal Background Check and/or a Motor Vehicle Report
• The Search Committee will not contact references without first verifying permission with the finalist.
• Please ensure your resume reflects the knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences to support your answers to the supplemental questions.
• Do not write 'see resume' on your application when completing the job duties section.
• UNC Charlotte Benefits Information: https://hr.charlotte.edu/benefits/benefits-overview/

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • How did you hear about this employment opportunity?

• UNC Charlotte Website

• HERC Job Board

• Inside Higher Education

• Mitratech Circa (formerly known as Local JobNetwork)

• Another Website

• Agency Referral

• Advertisement/Publication

• Personal Referral

• Other

• Where did you learn about this posting?

(Open Ended Question)

• • Do you have a Bachelor's degree and one (1) year of experience related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of education and experience?

• Yes - I have a Bachelor's degree and one (1) year of experience related to the area of assignment

• Yes - I have Master's degree or Higher

• Yes - I have an Associate's degree and three (3) years of experience related to the area of assignment

• Yes - I have a High School Diploma/GED with five (5) years of experience related to the area of assignment

• No - I do not have the listed education/experience

• • Do you have professional experience in Donor Relations, Development, or Advancement Operations? If yes, please explain your experience.

(Open Ended Question)

• • Please describe your experience and knowledge of working in and with a customer relationship management (CRM) platform such as Salesforce.

(Open Ended Question)

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume / Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter / Letter of Interest
• Contact Information for References

Optional Documents