New

Associate Director of Special Projects and Initiatives

North Carolina State University

Commensurate with Experience and Education

life insurance, flexible benefit account, paid time off

United States, North Carolina, Raleigh

May 08, 2026

Posting Information

Posting Number	PG194646EP
Internal Recruitment	No
Working Title	Associate Director of Special Projects and Initiatives
Anticipated Hiring Range	Commensurate with Experience and Education
Work Schedule	Monday- Friday ; 8:00 am-5:00 pm and other hours as needed to fulfill the duties of this position; Flexible work arrangements available
Job Location	Raleigh, NC
Department	University Development
About the Department	North Carolina State University was founded in 1887 with the purpose of creating economic, societal and intellectual prosperity for the people of North Carolina. Today NC State is the largest university in North Carolina, with more than 40,500 high-performing students, more than 10,000 preeminent faculty and staff and more than 310,000 dedicated alumni. NC State is a research-extensive university known for its leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. We're also at the forefront of teaching and discovery in agriculture, business, design, education, humanities and social sciences, natural resources, textiles and veterinary medicine. NC State is consistently named as one of the best values in higher education, and many of our programs are ranked at the top of their respective disciplines. We take a great deal of pride in our collaborative, supportive and collegial team culture. All staff are provided opportunities for training and professional development, with an eye to personalized career growth. The mission of University Advancement at NC State is to amplify the university's local and global impact by nurturing lifelong relationships, championing philanthropy and strengthening the Wolfpack community. The division is composed of six teams - Advancement Services; Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving; Finance, Administration and Talent Management; Principal Gifts Program; University Development; and University Special Events and Experiences - that build relationships across the university and beyond to ensure a best-in-class experience for alumni, friends and donors. University Development raises philanthropic support for university goals and priorities that benefit NC State's students, faculty, campus and ultimately, the state of North Carolina by working closely and strategically with teams throughout University Advancement and within the university's colleges, units and programs. The department includes the offices of Central Major Gifts, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Development Communications and Stewardship, Gift Planning and Prospect Development.
Wolfpack Perks and Benefits	As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone. What we offer: Medical, Dental, and Vision Flexible Spending Account Retirement Programs Disability Plans Life Insurance Accident Plan Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs 12 Holidays Each Year Tuition and Academic Assistance And so much more! Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community. Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.
Essential Job Duties	This Associate Director of Special Projects and Initiatives serves as a key operational and strategic support partner to the Associate Vice Chancellor for University Development. The role provides advanced administrative leadership, project coordination, and advancement operations support across the University Development team. The individual will manage workflows, oversee administrative support functions, and coordinate execution of strategic priorities-ensuring alignment, accountability, and timely progress. This role plays a critical part in tracking and advancing key fundraising activities, particularly within the $1-$5 million prospect portfolio, by maintaining structure, monitoring progress, and supporting informed decision-making. While not responsible for direct fundraising, this position acts as a central hub for organization, communication, and follow-through-helping leadership maintain momentum across multiple complex, time-sensitive initiatives.
Other Responsibilities	Administrative Leadership & Team Coordination Provide advanced administrative and operational support to the Associate Vice Chancellor and senior development leaders. Establish and maintain efficient workflows, systems, and priorities across administrative functions. Ensure consistent execution of scheduling, correspondence, travel coordination, and logistics. Serve as a point of escalation for administrative and operational issues, resolving challenges proactively. Strategic Planning, Tracking, and Accountability Develop and manage detailed timelines for advancement initiatives, leadership priorities, and key deliverables. Track progress across multiple projects and ensure alignment with organizational goals. Identify delays or stalled work and proactively recommend next steps or adjustments. Prepare concise progress updates and summaries for leadership, highlighting risks and opportunities. Support prioritization and coordination of high-impact work across the team. Advancement Operations & Program Coordination Coordinate execution of advancement-related initiatives across internal teams. Facilitate communication and alignment among development officers, administrative staff, and leadership. Support implementation of processes that improve efficiency and accountability. Assist with special projects and cross-functional initiatives within University Development. Board Engagement Tracking and Coordination Establish and maintain systems to track board engagement. Monitor outreach activity and follow-up actions by leadership and staff. Prompt timely follow-up and ensure accountability for assigned actions. Maintain organized records of engagement efforts, outcomes, and next steps. Support planning and coordination of board check-ins and engagement strategies. Proposal and Opportunity Tracking Monitor progress of key fundraising proposals and opportunities. Ensure timely updates and follow-ups on proposal activity. Maintain accurate documentation of proposal status, ownership, and next steps. Coordinate with support staff to ensure data accuracy in tracking systems. Alert leadership to overdue updates or emerging opportunities. Top Prospect Monitoring Track engagement and activity for top prospects not currently in proposal stage. Identify inactivity or lack of progress and flag for leadership attention. Support reassignment or strategy discussions as needed. Coordinate communication regarding prospect status and portfolio changes. Communications & Information Management Draft and manage professional communications on behalf of leadership. Synthesize complex information into clear, actionable updates. Maintain confidentiality and discretion with sensitive information. Serve as a central coordination point for information flow across the team. Financial & Operational Support Assist with budget tracking, expense reconciliation, and financial coordination. Support travel planning, meetings, and event logistics. Ensure adherence to university policies and procedures.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience	Minimum of a Bachelor's degree required with at least one-year related experience
Other Required Qualifications	Strong organizational and project-tracking skills witha high attention to detail and processes Ability to manage multiple timelines and priorities simultaneously. Clear, professional communication skills and confidence in prompting follow-up. Comfort working with data, tracking systems, and shared documents. Ability to identify issues, suggest solutions, and escalate appropriately. Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic team environment Experience working collaboratively with senior leaders, volunteers, and student staff preferred.
Preferred Qualifications	Knowledge of the principles, practices, and ethics of successful fundraising and comprehensive capital campaigns Proven relationship builder with the ability to form trusting relationships and work collaboratively with faculty, administrators, volunteers, alumni and colleagues Experience managing volunteer boards Experience in higher education fundraising Familiarity with NC State University
Required License(s) or Certification(s)	N/A
Valid NC Driver's License required	No
Commercial Driver's License required	No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date	05/08/2026
Anticipated Close Date	Open Until Filled
Special Instructions to Applicants	In addition to your application, please submit a cover letter, resume, and the contact information for at least three professional references.

Position Details

Position Number	00110016
Position Type	Exempt Professional Staff
Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)	1.00
Appointment	12 Month Recurring
Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather	Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather
Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events	Non Mandatory - Emergency Event
Department ID	082001 - University Development
EEO	NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity. If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu. Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit. NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.