Project Development Director Jobs in Durham, NC (NOW HIRING)

NC Hillel is at a genuine inflection point. With a growing donor base, an energized board, and a track record of impact across the UNC system, we are building the infrastructure to match our ambitions. The Director of Development will be the architect of that infrastructure.

This is a senior, strategic role for a development professional who wants to build something, not just maintain it. You will design and lead NC Hillel's fundraising strategy, create and grow our alumni and parent giving programs, and work directly with major donors, board members, and lay leaders to advance our mission. You will also supervise a Development Associate and a team of undergraduate interns.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, you will be a key member of our leadership team and a visible presence in the North Carolina Jewish community.

This position may be based in the Triangle or Charlotte, NC, with some domestic travel required.

Strategy and Campaign Leadership

• Partner with the Executive Director and Development Committee to build and execute an annual fundraising plan, calendar, and moves-management strategy designed to grow NC Hillel's philanthropic reach year over year.
• Lead both short- and long-term development strategies, with particular emphasis on launching and scaling NC Hillel's alumni and parent giving programs.
• Identify and pursue new revenue streams, grant opportunities, and organizational partnerships.

Donor Relations and Solicitation

• Manage a portfolio of donors and prospects with tailored cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation strategies.
• Conduct direct solicitations of mid-level and grassroots donors.
• Build and steward long-term donor relationships through meaningful recognition and engagement programs.

Events and Communications

• Lead strategy and planning for grassroots fundraising campaigns, including campaign calendars, mailings, digital communications, and social media engagement, and supervise the Development Associate in day-to-day implementation.
• Plan and execute 2 to 4 regionally based donor cultivation events per year for current and prospective donors and community supporters, identifying opportunities to connect donors to Hillel's programming on campus.

Board and Volunteer Engagement

• Serve as the primary professional liaison to the Development Committee, providing strategic guidance, tools, and training to strengthen donor cultivation efforts.
• Partner with the Executive Director to support and mobilize the Board of Directors and lay leaders as fundraising ambassadors.

Team Leadership and Supervision

• Provide oversight of fundraising operations providing clear direction, professional development, and task supervision for the Development Associate.
• Supervise and mentor undergraduate Development Interns, creating structured learning opportunities across all aspects of a professional fundraising program.
• Train campus professionals, including student engagement and program staff, on best practices for identifying, prospecting, and cultivating parent and alumni donors.
• Develop tools, playbooks, and frameworks that empower non-development staff to build authentic relationships that translate into philanthropic support.

Grants and Operations

• Research, prepare, and submit grant proposals; manage grant relationships and reporting.
• Oversee donor database management (Little Green Light), gift processing, acknowledgment, and monthly benchmark reporting.
• Analyze campaign data, donor trends, and fundraising outcomes to continuously inform strategy.

• 4 to 7 years of progressive experience in a development role, with demonstrated success in donor cultivation, solicitation, and campaign management.
• Proven project management skills, including managing multiple campaigns or initiatives simultaneously.
• Experience with Jewish communal organizations, Hillel, or university and higher education environments strongly preferred.
• Strong proficiency with donor management software and CRM systems; comfort with data analysis and financial reporting.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling donor-facing narratives.
• Experience supervising or mentoring staff or volunteers.
• Passion for Jewish life, student engagement, and higher education.
• Familiarity with the Jewish calendar, religious practice, and the North Carolina Jewish community is a plus.
• Bachelor's degree required.

• Competitive salary of $75,000 to $90,000 commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement benefits.
• Generous, flexible PTO with no accrual limits, including Federal and Jewish holidays and seasonal office closures.
• Meaningful professional development, mentoring, and skill-building. This role has a genuine growth trajectory for the right candidate.
• Flexible hybrid working arrangement within North Carolina, with preference for candidates near the Triangle or Charlotte.
• Domestic travel regionally and nationally.

North Carolina Hillel serves Jewish students across the UNC system, from the coast to the mountains. We are a team that believes deeply in both our work and each other. Whether a student is meeting their first Jewish role model or stepping into leadership for the first time, NC Hillel is where that happens.

As a 2025 Hillel International Great Place to Work Award winner, we are recognized for the culture we have built intentionally: inclusive, mission-driven, and genuinely supportive. If you are looking for a role where your work matters and your colleagues show up for each other, you will find it here.

Chapel Hill sits at the heart of the Research Triangle, one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, with a thriving Jewish community and a robust nonprofit sector. Charlotte, NC's largest city, is a major financial and cultural hub with a growing and engaged Jewish community and excellent connectivity for regional and national travel.