Associate AD for Development (HR title: Director of Strategic Development)

Southern Methodist University Inc; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Methodist University Inc in Dallas, TX is seeking an Associate AD for Development to provide strategic leadership for Athletics major and principal gift fundraising.

The role leads the Athletics major giving team, partners with DEA and school units, and works with regional development officers to strengthen the donor pipeline.

Evening/weekend events and travel are required as part of donor engagement, with a focus on advancing priorities and building enduring support for SMU Athletics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required; Master's preferred.
• Seven years of major gift fundraising experience; donor cultivation and solicitation experience.
• Experience developing fundraising strategies and managing major gift portfolios.
• Collaboration across development teams and supervising staff is required.
• Higher education or collegiate athletics fundraising experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects with strategies for identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Lead and supervise the Athletics major giving team with clear goals and performance expectations.
• Coordinate Athletics fundraising strategies with regional development officers and DEA partners.
• Serve as primary Athletics Development liaison to the Athletics Development Board of Directors.
• Represent Athletics Development at events and alumni activities; maintain prospect activity in the CRM.
• Evening or weekend work and frequent travel to support fundraising goals.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Verbal communication

Written communication

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

MS Office proficiency

BB/Paciolan familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Blackbaud

Paciolan

Job description

Associate AD for Development (HR title: Director of Strategic Development)

Southern Methodist University Inc Dallas , TX

NEW

Full Time

NEW Full Time Description

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

Development and External Affairs (DEA) supports SMU by securing funding for University priorities; by promoting meaningful involvement in the life and work of the University; by heightening international, national, state and local awareness of SMU; and by supporting the enrollment of a diverse and able student body.

DEA comprises the offices of Office of the Senior Vice President, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, Development Services, Program Services and Donor Relations, Principal and Major Gifts, and School and Project Development.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Associate AD for Development provides strategic leadership for SMU Athletics major and principal gift fundraising.

The position leads the Athletics major giving team, develops and executes fundraising strategies, and coordinates closely with regional development officers, school and unit development teams, Parent Giving, and other DEA partners to maximize philanthropic support for Athletics priorities.

The Associate AD for Development manages a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and serves as the primary Athletics Development liaison to the Athletics Development Board of Directors. The position works closely with Athletics and DEA leadership to strengthen the donor pipeline and advance Athletics fundraising priorities.

Essential Functions:

• Major and Principal Gift Fundraising: Manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, developing and executing individualized strategies for identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. Establish and achieve annual goals for donor engagement, solicitations and philanthropic revenue. Partner with Athletics and DEA leadership to identify funding opportunities and secure significant philanthropic support for Athletics priorities.
• Major Giving Strategy and Team Leadership: Lead and supervise the Athletics major giving team, establishing fundraising priorities, goals and performance expectations. Develop coordinated strategies for major and principal gift prospects and provide direction, coaching and accountability to frontline fundraisers. Monitor fundraising activity and results and identify opportunities to strengthen the Athletics major gift pipeline.
• University-Wide Fundraising Collaboration: Coordinate Athletics fundraising strategies with regional development officers, school and unit development teams, Parent Giving, and other DEA partners. Facilitate collaborative prospect strategies, clarify fundraising priorities and strengthen coordination of donor engagement across SMU.
• Athletics Development Board of Directors: Serve as the primary Athletics Development liaison to the Athletics Development Board of Directors. Partner with Athletics leadership to engage board members in advancing fundraising priorities, donor cultivation, prospect identification and philanthropic advocacy. Develop strategies to maximize board engagement and effectiveness in support of Athletics Development goals.
• Athletics and Donor Engagement: Represent Athletics Development at athletic events, donor and alumni programs, and other University activities. Maintain accurate and timely prospect strategies, contact reports and related information in the University's prospect management system. Perform other duties as assigned.
• Position requires evening or weekend work to attend athletics sporting events and other alumni events
• Position requires frequent travel in alignment with fundraising goals and in support of athletic teams

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree is required. Master's preferred.

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in major gift fundraising, development or a related field, including demonstrated success cultivating and soliciting significant philanthropic gifts.

Experience developing fundraising strategies, managing major gift portfolios, collaborating across development teams and supervising professional staff is also required.

Higher education or collegiate athletics fundraising experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must have strong quantitative analytical and creative evaluation skills with the ability to synthesize data and insights to guide decision-making and advance the goals of the Athletics Development unit.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning, and time-management skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities.

Candidate must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook). Familiarity with constituent databases, especially Blackbaud and/or Paciolan is a plus.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time
• Bend, squat, stand, climb, kneel
• Walk for distances
• Reach above shoulders
• Handle objects (dexterity)
• Push/pull
• Carry/lift 25-50 lbs.
• Drives motorized equipment

Deadline to Apply:

The position is open until filled.

Priority consideration may be given submissions received by September 18, 2026.

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

Location/Region: Dallas, Texas