Development Director Student U - 4.7 Durham, NC Job Details Full-time From $75,000 a year 21 hours ago Benefits 403(b) matching Paid parental leave Paid holidays Health insurance Dental insurance Work from home Parental leave Vision insurance 403(b) Loan forgiveness Paid sick time Qualifications Record keeping Committee work Corporate partnership Database systems Funder relationship management Spreadsheets Collaborating with government agencies Collaboration with board members Corporate giving fundraising Major gift prospect cultivation Data management Business development experience within non-profit sector Contracts Government industry grant writing CRM system proficiency Nonprofit industry grant writing Non-profit experience Foundation giving Donor and alumni database management Board relations Full Job Description Student U is an education nonprofit rooted in Durham. We are students, families, and educators cultivating joy and academic excellence in learning communities so all students thrive in Durham and beyond. We believe everyone deserves opportunities in their educational journey that enable them to reach their full potential. This is not yet the reality for every student. Structural racism, intergenerational poverty, and other injustices create significant barriers for first-generation college-bound students and entire communities across Durham and the U.S., including here in Durham, N.C. We support students and their families inside and outside of school, helping them overcome challenges to reach college graduation. At the same time, we work to improve the public education system by sharing successful strategies with schools and educators and building a strong community at The W.G. Pearson Center, aiming for a better future for our youth. We show up for students and families with joy, rigor, and deep belief that every person is worthy of opportunities that help them grow and thrive. That same culture extends to our team. We are a collaborative, growth-minded staff that invests in each other the same way we invest in students. We celebrate wins, learn from challenges, and are committed to building an organization where everyone can do the best work of their career. If you are looking for a place where your skills will matter, your voice will be heard, and your work will directly change lives in Durham and across North Carolina, you have found it.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Student U has grown from a $93,000 budget in 2007 to an estimated $6.1M budget in 2026, and we are ready for the next chapter. We are building a robust individual major gifts program while continuing to deepen and diversify our relationships with foundations, government funders, and corporate partners. This is a rare opportunity to join a high-performing advancement team at an inflection point and help shape what comes next. The Development Director will serve as a key leader on the advancement team, reporting directly to the Chief Advancement Officer and working in close partnership with the Executive Director. This is a relationship-centered, externally-facing role for someone who is energized by connecting people to meaningful work and has the experience to translate those relationships into long-term investment in our mission. The Development Director will own and lead Student U's Major Gifts program, carrying a personal portfolio of donors at the 5-figure gift level while also serving as a key partner to the Executive Director in managing relationships with our top 20 donors.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Individual Giving, Major Gifts, and Donor Stewardship (70%) Build, lead, and continuously refine Student U's Major Gifts program, serving as its primary architect and day-to-day driver Carry and grow a personal portfolio of major donors and prospects at the 5-figure gift level, developing individualized engagement strategies to secure one-time and multi-year commitments Serve as a strategic partner to the Executive Director in managing relationships with Student U's top 20 donors, providing preparation, follow-through, and relationship continuity to support the Executive Director's caseload Lead outreach, cultivation, and stewardship across your portfolio with warmth, intentionality, and consistent follow-through Design and implement a meaningful stewardship program that keeps current donors connected, informed, and inspired by their impact on Student U students and families Ensure donors at every level feel genuinely valued through timely acknowledgment, personalized touchpoints, and regular impact updates Develop and implement a tiered recurring giving program to grow sustainable individual revenue Work closely with the Board of Directors to deepen board giving, strengthen board member engagement in fundraising, and build a culture of philanthropy at the governance level Foundations, Government, and Corporate Relationships (15%) Support the growth of a portfolio of foundation, government, and corporate relationships, serving as a strategic thought partner Collaborate with the Director of Partnerships and the Grants Committee to ensure proposals are timely, accurate, compelling, and aligned with Student U's work and funder priorities Represent Student U at site visits, community events, and funder convenings Development Operations and Collaboration (15%) Partner with the Data Manager to ensure the donor database (Salesforce) is maintained with accuracy and integrity, and that donor acknowledgment is prompt and meaningful Coordinate with the Chief Advancement Officer and Director of Finance on revenue forecasting and cash flow projections Bring a continuous improvement mindset to development systems, strategies, and processes, identifying opportunities to strengthen infrastructure and outcomes Serve as an engaged collaborator across teams, particularly with the program team, to maintain a clear and compelling picture of Student U's impact for donors

REQUIREMENTS & KEY COMPETENCIES

You are a seasoned development professional who leads with relationships and follows through with results. You know how to build authentic connections with donors and move them from curiosity to commitment, and you understand that keeping a donor is just as important as finding one. You are equally comfortable in a one-on-one donor conversation, on a stage presenting to a room, and in a spreadsheet tracking your pipeline. You believe, as we do, that fundraising is an act of community-building. You do not see donors as transactions. You see them as long-term partners in a shared vision for Durham, and you take seriously the responsibility to keep them engaged and connected to the impact of their giving.

You bring:

At least 5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising and development, with a demonstrated track record of managing a major gifts portfolio and securing 5-figure gifts Experience building, sustaining, and stewarding relationships with individual donors, foundations, government agencies, and corporate partners A proven approach to donor retention and stewardship that goes beyond thank-you letters Strong grant writing and grants management skills, including experience with government grants and contracts Proficiency with Salesforce or comparable donor database platforms, and comfort working with data to inform strategy Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and an ability to represent Student U compellingly to a wide range of audiences Experience partnering with a Board of Directors to deepen governance-level engagement in philanthropy High initiative, exceptional follow-through, and the ability to manage a complex portfolio of relationships and priorities without losing the details A growth mindset. You are reflective, open to feedback, and motivated to keep getting better A genuine alignment with Student U's mission and a commitment to equity and educational justice in Durham We recognize that talent comes in many forms. We review candidates holistically and encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every qualification listed.

Benefits and Salary:

This is an in-person position with some flexibility to work from home that requires occasional travel within the Triangle to meet donors and attend events. In a typical week, approximately 75-80% of the work will take place at the W.G. Pearson Center at 600 E. Umstead Street in Durham, NC, and in the community with donors. The compensation for this position starts at $75,000 annually with a comprehensive benefits package, including: Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance 403(b) Retirement Plan & Matching Fitness & Wellness Benefit Paid Parental Leave Paid Vacation Days Paid Sick Days Paid Federal Holidays This position is eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Anti-Discrimination Policy and Commitment to Equity & Child Safeguarding Policy Student U is committed to fostering an inclusive culture within our organization where people from various backgrounds can participate fully and equitably, as we want to engage all those who can contribute to our mission. We strongly desire to meet candidates who have backgrounds similar to those of the students we serve. Student U has a commitment to ensuring the safety of our students. All staff will participate in a child safeguarding training to help them understand why it is necessary to safeguard and protect children and to be fully aware of the procedure for reporting concerns.