<p>The Executive Director of the Foundation and Grants serves as the chief administrative officer for the Wilson Community College Foundation and the College's centralized grants operation. This position provides strategic leadership in fundraising, donor relations, grant development, stewardship, and overall resource advancement in support of Wilson Community College's mission.</p> <p>In addition, the Executive Director leads special projects assigned by the President's Office, supporting high-level institutional initiatives that advance College priorities and strategic goals.</p> <p>Essential Duties and Responsibilities</p> <p>Foundation Leadership & Resource Development</p> <ul> <li>Provide strategic leadership for the Wilson Community College Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting students, faculty, programs, and college initiatives through fundraising and stewardship efforts.  </li><li>Develop and execute annual and multi-year fundraising plans, including major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, corporate partnerships, events, and campaigns. </li><li>Cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, alumni, business partners, community leaders, and philanthropic organizations. </li><li>Oversee proper management of Foundation assets, ensuring responsible investment, fiduciary accountability, and alignment with donor intent. </li><li>Prepare and present Foundation reports, financial updates, and strategic recommendations to the President, Board of Trustees, and Foundation Board. </li></ul> <p>Grants Leadership & Administration</p> <ul> <li>Lead the College's grants strategy, including prospect identification, proposal development, compliance oversight, and reporting requirements. </li><li>Collaborate with faculty, staff, and administrators to identify funding needs and match them with public and private grant opportunities. </li><li>Ensure that grant-funded programs comply with federal, state, and agency requirements, including timely expenditure of funds and alignment with compliance expectations. </li><li>Maintain centralized documentation, submission timelines, program evaluations, and grant closeout processes. </li></ul> <p>Special Projects Leadership for the President's Office</p> <ul> <li>Manage special presidential initiatives, cross-departmental projects, and priority assignments that require high-level coordination, confidentiality, and strategic planning. </li><li>Conduct research, prepare executive summaries, and develop implementation plans to support institutional priorities. </li><li>Represent the President in meetings, community conversations, and project planning sessions as requested. </li><li>Lead or coordinate task forces, committees, and institutional initiatives that support strategic goals, facilities planning, workforce partnerships, or community engagement efforts. </li></ul> <p>Institutional & Community Engagement</p> <ul> <li>Serve as an ambassador for the College in the community, strengthening relationships with civic leaders, nonprofit partners, business and industry, government agencies, and public officials. </li><li>Support College marketing, branding, and communication initiatives related to donor engagement, Foundation visibility, and grants success, consistent with institutional advancement priorities noted in the strategic plan.  </li><li>Coordinate Foundation and grant-related events, including donor receptions, student scholarship ceremonies, cultivation activities, and community programs. </li></ul> <p>Operations, Compliance, and Organizational Management</p> <ul> <li>Oversee daily operations of the Foundation office, including staff supervision, budgeting, resource allocation, and workflow management. </li><li>Ensure accuracy and transparency in donor records, financial documentation, and audit compliance. </li><li>Develop and maintain policies and procedures related to fundraising, grants, stewardship, and donor confidentiality. </li><li>Prepare materials for audits, accreditation files, board reports, and institutional effectiveness documentation. </li></ul> <p>WCC places a high value on creating an engaged, collaborative campus environment; therefore, employees are required to complete their work hours in person on WCC's campus.  By working on campus and in person, employees have greater opportunities to engage with students and co-workers, attend on-site meetings and presentations, recruit students, and support local business and industry partners.</p> <ul> <li>Communicates clearly and frequently in writing and speaking to ensure consistency of purpose and vision. </li><li>Works collaboratively with all members of the college community. </li><li>Understands and supports the college's mission, vision, and values. </li><li>Remains current on emerging higher education and division-relevant issues.   </li><li>Fosters a work environment characterized by transparency, trust, and professionalism.    </li></ul> <p>Education and Experience</p> <p>Required</p> <ul> <li>Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, business, public administration, communications, education, or related field. </li><li>Demonstrated experience in fundraising, donor relations, nonprofit administration, grant writing, or institutional advancement. </li><li>Strong project management and organizational skills, with ability to lead multi-layered and confidential initiatives. </li><li>Excellent written and verbal communication skills. </li><li>Ability to develop and maintain relationships with donors, external partners, and internal stakeholders. </li><li>Demonstrated leadership experience. </li></ul> <p>Preferred </p> <ul> <li>Master's degree in a related field. </li><li>Experience in community college advancement or philanthropy. </li><li>Proven track record in major gifts fundraising. </li><li>Experience supervising staff or managing complex organizational units. </li><li>Experience working with boards, foundations, or nonprofit governance structures. </li></ul> <p>Unofficial transcripts must be included with your online application before submission or sent directly to Human Resources immediately after applying. Failure to provide transcripts may result in your application not being fully considered.</p> <p>Wilson Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In accordance with the ADA, if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for this position, please notify the Human Resources Office.</p>