Director of Advancement Services
Please see Special Instructions for more details.
Our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated, or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for Which they may be qualified.
Please Note:
* A criminal background check will be conducted on the candidate finalist prior to the offer of employment.
* If it is determined that no applicants meet the minimum competency, education, and experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants.
* Salary will be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.
* Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application. The application must be completed in full detail (including work history) for your qualifications to be considered.
* Failure to complete the application completely may result in you not being considered for the vacant position.
* Your application for the position will not be completed until you receive an online confirmation number at the end of the process of applying for a position.
* If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at
OHR@wssu.edu. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodation in the application and interview process, please call 336-750-2834.
Position Details
Classification Information
| Position Classification Title |
Advancement Services Professional, Donor Relations Director |
| FLSA |
Exempt |
| Position Class |
89780 |
Position Overview
| Join the Ramily! |
Join the Ramily!
Winston-Salem State University (
WSSU) is a distinguished institution that combines academic excellence, community engagement, and a commitment to fostering student success. We are proud to be North Carolina's only university to earn the distinguished designation of Opportunity College by the Carnegie Classifications of Higher Education and the American Council on Education (
ACE).
WSSU is dedicated to preparing students for leadership roles through rigorous programs in health sciences, business, education, and the humanities. Known for its supportive environment, the university fosters a close-knit community that nurtures both professional and academic excellence.
Situated in Winston-Salem, North Carolina-known as the City of Arts and Innovation,
WSSU provides students with opportunities to engage in a dynamic mix of professional, social, and cultural experiences. Winston-Salem is home to thriving arts, healthcare, and technology sectors, offering both students and faculty unique collaboration opportunities and professional development pathways.
With its beautiful campus, strong sense of community, and dedication to fostering personal and professional growth, Winston-Salem State University is an ideal place to teach, work, and learn.
Find information about our current benefits and retirement options, our holiday schedule, and other discounts and perks at the links below:
UNC System Employee Benefits Central
UNC System Retirement Benefits
WSSU Holiday Schedule
WSSU Discounts and Perks |
| Position Summary |
Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is seeking a Director of Advancement Services.
The Director of Advancement Services is responsible for the strategic oversight and management of Winston-Salem State University's fundraising infrastructure, ensuring the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the university's advancement efforts. This role supports the long-term financial sustainability and growth of
WSSU by managing key functions such as gift processing, prospect management, donor relations, stewardship, and data integrity. The Director plays a central role in aligning these critical systems with WSSU's 2022-2030 Strategic Plan. By driving innovation, improving processes, and fostering strong donor relationships, this position ensures that the university's advancement operations are scalable, data-driven, and capable of supporting WSSU's mission to provide an equitable, transformative education.
Primary Responsibilities of the Director of Advancement Services:
Strategic Leadership & Fund Management Oversight
- Collaborate with senior leadership and key stakeholders to develop and implement long-term strategies for donor data management, stewardship, prospect research, and operational efficiency.
- Provide strategic direction for the Advancement Services unit, aligning operations, fund administration, and donor stewardship with Winston-Salem State University's broader fundraising goals and strategic priorities.
- Provide overarching oversight for university gift fund management, ensuring that all endowed, restricted, and scholarship funds are utilized in strict compliance with legal gift agreements, donor intent, and institutional policies.
- In coordination with the WSSU Foundation, Financial Aid, and university business offices, oversee the strategy for scholarship fund allocations, monitoring fund balances, disbursement schedules, and award criteria execution.
- Establish monitoring mechanisms to identify unspent or underutilized restricted/scholarship funds, collaborating with campus partners and development staff to resolve utilization bottlenecks or execute necessary fund agreement amendments.
- Formulate, enforce, and audit policies and procedures governing gift administration, fund setup, spending compliance, and state/federal regulatory guidelines.
- Use data analysis and reporting to inform strategic decisions, optimize fundraising efforts, and identify opportunities for growth in donor engagement and giving.
Management and Oversight of Advancement Systems
- Oversee the development, implementation, and ongoing management of Winston-Salem State University's fundraising database (Raiser's Edge NXT), prospect management systems, and auxiliary award management platforms (e.g., Scholarship Universe).
- Oversee relationships with advancement technology vendors, ensuring proper staff access and optimal utilization of software platforms, contract management, implementation of upgrades, and ongoing system enhancements.
- Ensure data integrity and financial accuracy across all donor, prospect, fund, and scholarship distribution records.
- Oversee gift processing and financial recording operations to ensure timely recording of contributions, adherence to IRS regulations, accurate fund designation, and prompt donor acknowledgments.
- Lead efforts to integrate technological innovations across advancement operations, automating workflows between scholarship management software, CRM systems, and general ledger accounting.
Donor Stewardship and Relations
- Lead and manage donor stewardship strategies, ensuring donors are consistently recognized, thanked, and informed of their fund's impact. Implementing stewardship plans that align with donor preferences and institutional priorities, including the creation of impact reports, personalized communications, and recognition events.
- Direct the production of annual financial endowment reports and scholarship impact statements, verifying that financial data (balances, payouts, and beneficiary details) reported to donors is accurate and transparent.
- Oversee efforts by the Assistant Director and donor relations team to facilitate meaningful connections between donors and fund beneficiaries (such as student scholarship recipients and endowed faculty). Including the preparation and delivery of donor acknowledgment letters, annual giving reports, and other communication efforts that demonstrate the impact of gifts on Winston-Salem State University's mission.
- Work closely with development officers to ensure that stewardship activities are integrated into broader fundraising strategies and that donor expectations are met or exceeded.
- Continuously improve stewardship processes, exploring innovative approaches to donor engagement such as digital recognition platforms, virtual events, and personalized outreach strategies.
Prospect Management and Research
- Direct and oversee prospect management and research functions, including the identification, research, and qualification of potential major gift donors.
- Supervise the Assistant Director and prospect analysts (including shared services resources) in utilizing wealth intelligence platforms (e.g., iWave, LexisNexis, ResearchPoint) to build strong prospect pipelines.
- Develop and oversee tracking and moves management strategies to equip development officers with accurate data regarding donor interests, capacity, and engagement history.
- Lead the prospect research team in conducting comprehensive research and analysis to identify new fundraising opportunities, leveraging both qualitative and quantitative data sources.
- Create and maintain a repository of prospect profiles and briefing materials for development staff to facilitate personalized engagement and solicitation efforts. Collaborate with advancement leadership to prioritize and strategize outreach efforts, aligning prospect management activities with institutional fundraising goals and campaigns.
|
Position Information
| Position Number |
074695 |
| Working Position Title |
Director of Advancement Services |
| Building and Room No. |
Blair Hall 310D |
| Appointment Type |
Permanent Full-Time |
| If Time Limited. |
No |
| Appointment Length. |
12 Months |
Requirements and Preferences
| Position required to work during periods of adverse weather or other emergencies |
Not Mandatory |
| Normal Work Schedule |
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday, occasional evenings and weekends |
| Department Required Skills |
- Minimum of 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in advancement services, development, or a related field within higher education or a nonprofit organization.
- Proven track record in managing key operational functions such as gift processing, donor database management, prospect research, and donor relations.
- Bachelor's degree required in business administration, nonprofit management, information systems, or a related field.
- Master's degree preferred in nonprofit management, business administration, higher education administration, or a related discipline.
|
| Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education |
Preferred Skills
- Data Management Expertise: Advanced proficiency in managing donor databases (such as Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, or other CRM systems)with a strong understanding of data integrity and security best practices.
- Leadership and Team Management: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and manage teams effectively, with strong interpersonal skills to foster collaboration across departments.
- Gift Processing and Compliance: Strong knowledge of fundraising principles, gift administration, and IRS guidelines related to charitable giving.
- Prospect Research and Moves Management: Expertise in identifying, researching, and tracking major gift prospects, as well as implementing moves management systems to enhance donor engagement.
- Operational Efficiency: Experience with process optimization, including automating workflows, improving donor data management systems, and increasing the scalability of advancement operations.
- Stewardship Best Practices: Deep understanding of donor recognition and stewardship strategies, including personalized engagement plans and impact reporting.
- Financial Management: Strong skills in budget management, tracking donations, and ensuring proper allocation of resources in alignment with institutional goals.
- Project Management: Strong project management skills, including experience overseeing multiple initiatives, ensuring deadlines are met, and aligning projects with strategic priorities.
- Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively engage stakeholders and present complex information in a clear and concise manner.
Training and Certifications
- Certifications in fundraising management or nonprofit leadership (such as CFRE, Certified Fund Raising Executive) are preferred but not required.
- Advanced training in donor database systems (Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, or similar platforms) and data analytics.
- Ongoing professional development and training in fundraising best practices, donor stewardship, and advancement services.
- The ideal candidate will combine extensive technical expertise in advancement operations with strategic leadership skills to drive WSSU's fundraising success and contribute to the institution's long-term financial sustainability.
|
| Required License or Certification |
- No specific licenses are required for this position.
- Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification or equivalent is preferred but not mandatory.
- Advanced certification or training in fundraising database management systems (such as Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, or other CRM platforms) is preferred.
- Relevant project management certifications (such as PMP, Project Management Professional) are an asset but not required.
|
| Valid US Driver's License |
No |
| Commercial Driver's License Required |
No |
| Physical Required |
No |
| List any other medical/drug tests required |
|
Posting Details
Posting Details
| Internal Posting Only |
No |
| Time Limited Position |
No |
| Appointment Length |
|
| Salary |
$85,000-$100,000 |
| Open Date |
08/25/2026 |
| Close Date |
|
| Open Until Filled |
Yes |
| Special Instructions Summary |
Our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated, or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for Which they may be qualified.
Please Note:
* A criminal background check will be conducted on the candidate finalist prior to the offer of employment.
* If it is determined that no applicants meet the minimum competency, education, and experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants.
* Salary will be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.
* Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application. The application must be completed in full detail (including work history) for your qualifications to be considered.
* Failure to complete the application completely may result in you not being considered for the vacant position.
* Your application for the position will not be completed until you receive an online confirmation number at the end of the process of applying for a position.
* If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at
OHR@wssu.edu. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodation in the application and interview process, please call 336-750-2834. |
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- *
How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
- Public Job Posting
- Internal Job Posting
- Agency Referral
- Advertisement/Publication
- Personal Referral
- Website
- Other
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- References List
Optional Documents
- Letter of Recommendation 1
|
Winston Salem State University
$85,000-$100,000
Aug 25, 2026