Director of Development - Duke Catholic Center

At the Duke Catholic Center, students belong to a welcoming community of faith where they are known and loved. They believe in the transformative love of Christ through worship, prayer, and formation. And they become leaders and apostles who carry the Gospel into the world. If you are ready to inspire generosity and strengthen this mission through your leadership in development, you may be the next Director of Development for the Duke Catholic Center.

Why?

The Duke Catholic Center (DCC) is a spiritual home where Duke students encounter the transformative love of the Heart of Christ—in the Gospel, in the Sacraments, and in community with one another—so that students become formed as Christian leaders and apostles.

A ministry of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Raleigh, the DCC serves a Catholic student population that is the largest denomination on campus. Of the 13,300 students at Duke University, about 20% of them are Roman Catholic. The ministries of the Duke Catholic Center serve and support the spiritual development of countless students during critical transitional times in their lives. The Duke Catholic Center fosters the formation of future Catholic leaders and promotes the integration of our spiritual, intellectual, and social lives.

Want to know more? Visit Duke Catholic Center’s website at catholic.duke.edu.

What will you do as Duke Catholic Center’s next Director of Development?

Reporting to the DCC Director, the Director of Development will provide vision and leadership for all aspects of advancement at the Duke Catholic Center. Guided by the mission and in partnership with the Director, staff and board, the Director will build a comprehensive relationship-based advancement program that secures the resources needed to sustain and grow this ministry.

Primary responsibilities of the position include:

• Design and lead a comprehensive advancement plan that aligns with the DCC’s mission and strategic priorities, ensuring sustainable revenue growth through annual, major, and planned giving.
• Oversee the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors, engaging staff and board in execution.
• Build and manage a personal portfolio of major donors, including direct face-to-face solicitations.
• Engage and inspire the Board of Directors as active partners in building networks, cultivating donors, and securing financial support.
• Craft and communicate a compelling case for support that reflects the Catholic Center’s mission, vision, and values, inspiring investment from individuals, families, and alumni.
• Share stories of impact to motivate volunteers, board members, donors, and partners in ways that inspire support for the Center.
• Lead the development team with a collaborative and data-driven approach, integrating development work across the organization and mentoring staff in advancement best practices.
• Manage the annual fund strategy and execute in partnership with communications and the development team.
• Oversee donor stewardship and recognition strategies, ensuring that all supporters feel valued and connected to the impact of their giving.
• Oversee donor database systems and reporting, ensuring accurate records, effective use of data, and insights that inform strategy.
• Represent the Duke Catholic Center, building relationships and partnerships within the Duke community and broader partners to enhance visibility, collaboration, and philanthropic support.
• Serve as a member of the leadership team, bringing a philanthropic lens to organizational strategies and contributing to a culture of mission-driven collaboration.

Key lived experiences, attributes, and skillsets sought in the Director of Development

• Proven advancement leadership with at least 5 years of experience leading a comprehensive, growth-oriented development program, including the successful solicitation of five- and six-figure major gifts.
• Major gifts expertise with a strong track record of building and managing a robust donor pipeline, personally soliciting major gifts, and guiding others in their fundraising responsibilities.
• Experience building a strategic development framework from conception to growth, with success designing and executing comprehensive fundraising plans.
• Demonstrated success using data, metrics, and CRM/database systems to inform strategy and measure results.
• Collaborative leader with confidence and humility, skilled in motivating, mentoring, and unifying staff and volunteers toward shared goals.
• Ability to engage and inspire the board of directors and leverage their networks to expand donor relationships and philanthropic support.
• Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to connect authentically with donors, staff, students, alumni, and community partners.
• Excellent storytelling and communication skills—both written and verbal—with the ability to articulate a passion for the mission and inspire generosity.
• Demonstrated commitment to Catholic faith and values, with the ability to connect the mission of the Duke Catholic Center to the call to generosity.

Think you are the next Duke Catholic Center Director of Development?

To apply, click on the link to the Director of Development position profile at jobs.armstrongmcguire.com. You will see instructions for uploading your compelling cover letter, resume, salary requirements, and professional references. Please provide all requested information to be considered. In case of any technical problems, contact talent@armstrongmcguire.com. No phone calls, please, and no applications will be accepted by email or directly from third-party posting sites.

Salary is commensurate with the requirements of the position with a range of $90K to $110K. Benefits are provided by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Raleigh, including medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance and a 403(b) plan.