Director of Leadership Giving

Habitat Charlotte Region - Director of Leadership Giving

Location: 3815 Latrobe Drive, Charlotte, NC 28211
Position Type: Full-Time, Salaried
Salary Range: $88,000 – $90,000

At Habitat Charlotte Region, we believe everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to call home. When you join our team, your work directly supports families and strengthens neighborhoods across our community.

Together we build community impact. Since our inception in 1983, we have served over 5,000 local families, proving that affordable housing changes the trajectory of our entire region. Our work is driven by a commitment to community strength, marked by:

• 2,100+ New homes sold to local families
• 1,600+ Families served through critical home repairs
• 325 Existing homes renovated to maintain safe, affordable housing

Join us and be part of a team that has been transforming the Charlotte Region for over four decades.

In addition to meaningful work, Habitat Charlotte Region offers competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a healthy work-life balance—because caring for our community starts with caring for our people.

The Director of Leadership Giving provides strategic and operational leadership for Habitat Charlotte Region’s mid-level, major, and planned giving programs. This role is responsible for building a strong donor pipeline that moves supporters from mid-level engagement to transformational investment.

This leader oversees a team of three fundraising professionals, setting strategy, driving performance, and ensuring an exceptional donor experience. The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of closing significant gifts, mentoring fundraisers, and building scalable systems that support long-term philanthropic growth.

• Lead the vision and execution of an integrated mid-level and major giving program to increase donor engagement, retention, and revenue.
• Manage a personal portfolio of leadership donors and prospects, securing gifts of $10,000+ and multi-year commitments of $50,000+.
• Develop and implement tailored cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies aligned with donor interests and organizational priorities.
• Partner with senior leadership to craft compelling cases for support and funding opportunities.

• Identify, cultivate, and solicit planned giving prospects, including bequests, charitable gift annuities, and trusts.
• Integrate legacy giving into donor conversations and promote planned giving through targeted outreach and education.

• Supervise, coach, and develop a team of fundraising professionals, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.
• Establish clear goals, performance metrics, and accountability structures aligned with organizational objectives.
• Provide ongoing mentorship, portfolio strategy guidance, and professional development to strengthen team effectiveness.

• Collaborate with senior staff, board members, and development committees to deepen relationships with leadership donors.
• Ensure a best-in-class donor experience through personalized stewardship, recognition, and consistent communication.

• Strengthen systems, tools, and processes to support a scalable leadership giving program.
• Utilize data-driven insights to inform strategy and decision-making.
• Contribute to strategic planning for capital campaigns and long-term fundraising initiatives.

• 7–10 years of progressive experience in major gift fundraising, with a demonstrated ability to secure gifts of $100,000+.
• Proven experience managing and developing fundraising staff.
• Strong understanding of donor pipeline development and strategies that move donors from mid-level to major giving.
• Working knowledge of planned giving vehicles and donor-centered fundraising practices.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Passion for Habitat Charlotte Region’s mission and affordable housing initiatives.
• Bachelor’s degree required; CFRE or advanced degree preferred.
• Experience with CRM systems (Salesforce or similar) strongly preferred.

This position operates primarily in an office setting with travel throughout the service area as needed.

• Ability to work in an office environment using a computer and phone for extended periods.
• Ability to communicate effectively and manage typical office tasks.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted.

This job description is intended to outline the general responsibilities and qualifications for this role and is not an exhaustive list of all duties. Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

 Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a drug-free workplace. A pre-employment drug screen and background check is required.

 Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region program funding often includes federal funding and this role may support federally funded activities. People qualifying as Section 3 residents per Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C § 1701u) and its associated regulations (24 C.F.R. Part 75) are encouraged to apply. Information on Section 3 qualifications and certification material available upon request.