Job Posting Title:
Senior Director of Development
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Hiring Department:
University Development Office
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Position Open To:
All Applicants
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Weekly Scheduled Hours:
40
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FLSA Status:
Exempt
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Earliest Start Date:
May 15, 2025
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Position Duration:
Expected to Continue
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Location:
AUSTIN, TX
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Job Details:
General Notes
About The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin, founded in 1883, ranks among the 40 best universities in the world with top national programs across 19 colleges and schools. By creating educational opportunities for all and leading cutting-edge research at scale, the University fosters positive social change, technological advancement, and economic progress showing the world that change really does start here.
Following our 10-year strategic plan, UT will become the world’s highest-impact public research university, unleashing knowledge, opportunity and innovation from the heart of Texas.
Learn more about UT’s mission and values, leadership and Change Starts Here strategic plan.
Why Join Texas Development?
The University of Texas at Austin is on the front lines of the future: sparking the imagination, driving discovery and transforming lives. And it’s only possible because generous supporters believe in the power and promise of our state’s flagship university to change the world.
Together, through one of the largest fundraising efforts in our state’s history, we will support our people, amplify the unmatched potential of our place, and lead innovation through world-changing pursuits. With nearly $5 billion raised over the past six years, Texas Development is quickly becoming one of the best fundraising programs in higher education.
Texas Development is a dynamic community of more than 450 fundraising professionals across the Forty Acres. We strive to reach the highest levels of achievement and success in all that we do by creating meaningful and powerful experiences for our donors.
Join us and change the world.
Purpose
To serve as a Senior Director of Principal gifts within the University Development Office and raise philanthropic support focusing on principal gift donors with a capacity of $1,000,000 soliciting gifts of $1,000,000 plus annually. Successful candidates will work on a team focused on soliciting gifts in the entrepreneurship, finance, and economic fields. Gift officer will work to assess and cultivate prospects in entrepreneurial companies and business start-ups with a regional focus in the Northeast. Work with colleagues and leadership across campus to deliver proposals that impact these areas on campus.
Responsibilities
- Build and carry an active portfolio of 25 - 75 prospective donors.
- Engage in qualification, strategy development, relationship building and closing of major gift(s) at $1,000,000+ entrepreneurship, finance and economic fields.
- Within 18 months of start date, consistently produce $3,000,000 - $5,000,000 per year.
- Lead a team of gift officers to raise funds for entrepreneurship, finance and economic fields.
- Establish performance goals and assess policies for direct subordinates.
- Ensure fundraising dollar goals and deadlines are met for Principal and Major Gifts team.
- Track and ensure that principal gift prospects are being visited and that a fundraising strategy is in place; if appropriate, utilize faculty and leadership.
- Partner with Executive Director of Principal Gifts to identify and prioritize funding opportunities.
- Participate in goal setting, proposal preparation, strategy development, and stewardship as required for donors in the portfolio.
- Successfully and consistently deliver funding proposals to prospective and current donors.
- Effectively work with, communicate with, and collaborate with faculty, academic leaders, and other development staff to develop campus-wide funding opportunities and reach campaign goals.
- Maintain appropriate electronic documentation on a timely basis, including engagement activities, proposal tracking, contact reports, donor strategies, and forecasting in VIP.
- Record timely reports, letters, proposals, or gift agreements following a donor contact.
Work collaboratively, proactively, and in a professional, service-oriented manner with all University development officers to further the development goals of the University.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree. Demonstrated ability to execute successful full-cycle donor strategy. High degree of emotional intelligence. Demonstrated ability to show tenacity and be nimble. Ability to drive results. Highly effective communication skills (written, verbal, interpersonal). Ability to think strategically and creatively and work well under pressure. Project management skills. Ability to manage others. Capable of working independently, while also engaging in collaboration between teams. Ability to travel frequently to visit prospects and donors. Ability to use discretion and maintain integrity and professionalism. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
Salary
$145,000
Working Conditions
Typical office environment. Must be able to travel overnight and weekends, as necessary.
Required Materials
Resume/CV
- 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
- Letter of interest
Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.
Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.
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Employment Eligibility:
Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.
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Retirement Plan Eligibility:
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
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Background Checks:
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
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Equal Opportunity Employer:
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
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Pay Transparency:
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
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Employment Eligibility Verification:
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.
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E-Verify:
The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:
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Compliance:
Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.
The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.
