Director of Leadership Giving
Position Purpose
The Director of Leadership Giving provides strategic and operational leadership for Habitat Charlotte Region’s mid-level, major, and planned giving programs. This role is responsible for building a strong donor pipeline that moves supporters from mid-level engagement to transformational investment. This leader oversees a team of three fundraising professionals, setting strategy, driving performance, and ensuring an exceptional donor experience.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the vision and execution of an integrated mid-level and major giving program to increase donor engagement, retention, and revenue.
Manage a personal portfolio of leadership donors and prospects, securing gifts of $10,000+ and multi-year commitments of $50,000+
Develop and implement tailored cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies aligned with donor interests and organizational priorities.
Partner with senior leadership to craft compelling cases for support and funding opportunities.
Identify, cultivate, and solicit planned giving prospects, including bequests, charitable gift annuities, and trusts.
Integrate legacy giving into donor conversations and promote planned giving through targeted outreach and education.
Supervise, coach, and develop a team of fundraising professionals, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.
Establish clear goals, performance metrics, and accountability structures aligned with organizational objectives.
Provide ongoing mentorship, portfolio strategy guidance, and professional development to strengthen team effectiveness.
Collaborate with senior staff, board members, and development committees to deepen relationships with leadership donors.
Ensure a best-in-class donor experience through personalized stewardship, recognition, and consistent communication.
Strengthen systems, tools, and processes to support a scalable leadership giving program.
Utilize data-driven insights to inform strategy and decision-making.
Contribute to strategic planning for capital campaigns and long-term fundraising initiatives.
Qualifications
7–10 years of progressive experience in major gift fundraising, with a demonstrated ability to secure gifts of $100,000+
Proven experience managing and developing fundraising staff.
Strong understanding of donor pipeline development and strategies that move donors from mid-level to major giving.
Working knowledge of planned giving vehicles and donor-centered fundraising practices.
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
Passion for Habitat Charlotte Region’s mission and affordable housing initiatives.
Bachelor’s degree required; CFRE or advanced degree preferred.
Experience with CRM systems (Salesforce or similar) strongly preferred.