Director of Digital Innovation

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

University Development's purpose is to support the mission of the university by raising private resources to enhance financial support for students, faculty, programs, and facilities. University Development provides leadership and centralized services to all development offices throughout the University, serving as a focal point for annual giving, application development and IT support; campaign management; constituent programs; corporate and foundation relations; donor relations; gift planning; gift services; industry relations; marketing/communications; parents giving; principal gifts; prospect management, research and analytics; regional programs; scholarships and student aid; talent management; university events; and volunteer engagement.

Carolina Development is proud of its donor-centered philosophy, pursuing activities that always respect the interests and intentions of the donor as well as the University. The organization's collaborative nature is a critical component to fulfilling our mission of raising private funds to benefit the university.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and transferable skills!

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Campaigns and Strategy, the Director of Digital Innovation will develop and execute a 'digital first' strategy for the University Development Office and the broader OneCarolina fundraising community, which includes 26 schools and units with discrete fundraising programs, goals, and priorities. The role will also play a key role in identifying enterprise solutions and building a cohesive technology stack to support our fundraising ambitions.

Specifically, this Director of Digital Innovation will be charged with optimizing alumni and donor digital engagement, ensuring that digital fundraising programs have appropriate goals, driving increased engagement and fundraising in digital channels, and developing digital tools that increase the effectiveness of fundraisers. In addition, this role will drive OneCarolina's artificial intelligence strategy that is designed to ensure that our fundraising enterprise is acquiring, adopting and implementing appropriate AI skills to elevate our efficiency and efficacy.

This position will work closely with the director of business intelligence; the prospect management, research and analytics team; and the campaign team. In addition, the director of digital innovation will collaborate with the annual giving, marketing, events, engagement, donor relations and CRM teams on an ongoing basis.

Minimum of a bachelor's degree required (or foreign degree equivalent) with related experience. For positions with responsibility for direct solicitation of gifts and funds, a minimum of 1 year of professional-level, direct solicitation/fundraising experience is required.

In-depth understanding of fundraising principles and strategies.
Strategic Vision: Ability to develop a clear and ambitious vision for the organization's digital fundraising efforts and the strategic acumen to execute that vision effectively.
Innovative Mindset: A passion for innovation and creativity with the ability to think outside the box and implement novel digital solutions.
Team Leadership: Exceptional leadership and communication skills with a demonstrated ability to inspire and motivate cross-functional teams.
Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to changing trends and technologies in the digital landscape and the fundraising sector.
Commitment to the Cause: A genuine passion for the organization's mission and a commitment to making a positive impact through digital innovation.

A bachelor's degree in business, marketing, communications, computer science, or a related field is preferred. Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in digital marketing, digital fundraising, or related fields, with at least 3 years in a leadership or managerial role. An advanced degree in a relevant field is preferred. A minimum of 4 - 6 years of development experience in a research university or similarly complex institutional setting, or highly analogous experience from the corporate, nonprofit or government sectors. Demonstrated experience showing understanding of change management and project management principles. Comprehensive knowledge of digital fundraising platforms, CRM systems, online payment gateways, website development and other relevant digital tools. Demonstrated proficiency using AI tools. Proficiency in data analytics and visualization tools is a plus.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.