Director of Development – B.R.I.T.E.

Position Overview

Be an Eagle - Where Purpose Takes Flight! Are you ready to make an impact? At North Carolina Central University (NCCU), we are more than an institution—we are a community rooted in a legacy of excellence and transformation. A historically Black university located in Durham, North Carolina, also known as ‘The City of Medicine,’ NCCU has been a cornerstone of education since 1910, fostering innovation and progress. Join our team and enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and exclusive perks designed to support your work-life balance. At NCCU, your professional growth will be nurtured, and your contributions will help shape the future for our students and the community we serve. Become part of a legacy that drives change and achievement. An opportunity awaits you at NCCU, where your purpose can take flight. Visit NCCU.edu.

Primary Function of Organizational Unit

The Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE) at North Carolina Central University is a nationally recognized center for biotechnology education, research, workforce development, and industry engagement. BRITE prepares the next generation of scientists and biotechnology professionals through innovative academic programs, cutting-edge research, and experiential learning in partnership with leaders across the life sciences and biomanufacturing industries. Since its establishment, BRITE has become a cornerstone of North Carolina Central University’s commitment to advancing STEM education, expanding research capacity, and strengthening North Carolina’s biotechnology workforce. Through undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, students gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art laboratories while collaborating with faculty engaged in impactful scientific discovery. Located in the heart of one of the nation’s leading biotechnology hubs, BRITE maintains strong partnerships with biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and research institutions. These collaborations create opportunities for student success, workforce development, innovation, and economic growth throughout North Carolina and beyond. As BRITE continues to expand its impact, philanthropy plays an increasingly important role in advancing its strategic priorities. Private support enables investments in student scholarships, faculty excellence, research innovation, laboratory enhancements, equipment, industry partnerships, and experiential learning opportunities that prepare graduates to lead in an evolving biotechnology landscape. Working collaboratively with the Division of Institutional Advancement, BRITE seeks to build a sustainable culture of philanthropy that supports the institute’s mission and positions it for continued growth and national prominence.

Primary Purpose of Position

The BRITE Development Officer serves as the primary advancement professional dedicated to the Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE). Working collaboratively with the Division of Institutional Advancement and BRITE leadership, the position is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive fundraising strategies that secure major, principal, corporate, foundation, and planned gifts in support of BRITE’s strategic priorities. The Development Officer identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards alumni, corporations, foundations, industry partners, and individual philanthropists while building a sustainable pipeline of major gift prospects. The position collaborates closely with faculty, university leadership, and Institutional Advancement colleagues to advance BRITE’s mission through philanthropic investment. Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Development within the Division of Institutional Advancement with a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Executive Director of BRITE. The position follows all Institutional Advancement fundraising policies, procedures, campaign strategies, prospect management standards, and gift acceptance guidelines.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Moves management
• Prospect strategy
• Major gift fundraising
• Donor stewardship
• Proposal development
• CRM systems (Raiser’s Edge NXT preferred)
• Campaign fundraising
• Corporate engagement
• Planned giving awareness
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work with deans, faculty, executives, and volunteers

Success in This Position Will Be Demonstrated Through

• Achievement of annual fundraising goals
• Growth of the major gift pipeline
• Increased engagement of alumni and industry partners
• Successful solicitation of major and principal gifts
• Effective collaboration across Institutional Advancement and BRITE leadership
• Accurate documentation of prospect activity
• Excellent donor stewardship

Minimum Education/Experience

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and a minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in major gifts, corporate relations, foundation relations, development, sales, business development, or a closely related field. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Higher education fundraising
• Biotechnology or STEM fundraising
• Corporate partnerships
• Campaign experience

Primary Responsibilities and Duties

Major Gift Development (40%):

• Manage a portfolio of 100–125 qualified major gift prospects
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies
• Complete annual performance metrics for meaningful donor engagement
• Solicit gifts of $25,000+ with an emphasis on six- and seven-figure commitments
• Collaborate with university leadership on principal gift strategies

Corporate and Foundation Partnerships (25%):

• Develop partnerships with biotechnology, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, and life sciences companies
• Collaborate with Corporate & Foundation Relations on institutional proposals
• Engage industry leaders in sponsorships, research partnerships, workforce development initiatives, and philanthropic investments

Strategic Planning:

• Participate in campaign planning
• Develop annual fundraising plans
• Assist in identifying funding priorities with BRITE leadership
• Collaborate on naming opportunities

Advancement Operations (10%):

• Maintain prospect activity in CRM
• Prepare proposals and briefing materials
• Ensure compliance with fundraising policies
• Travel as required

Donor Stewardship (15%):

• Develop stewardship plans
• Coordinate donor recognition
• Provide impact reports
• Maintain long-term relationships

Employee Benefits

Employee Benefits available to NCCU permanent employees include the following and more:

• Accrued Vacation and Sick Leave
• Community Service Leave
• NC State – Health Benefits
• NCFlex – Vision, Dental, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance and more
• 11-12 Paid Holidays
• Teachers and State Employees Retirement System (TSERS)
• Optional Supplemental Plans – 401k, 403b, 457b and 457
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Campus Recreation Center Discount
• University Bookstore Discount and more