Associate Director, Major Gifts & Alumni Relations

University of Texas; Utah; On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin's Jackson School of Geosciences seeks an Associate Director of Development and Alumni Relations to drive a dynamic donor program and engage a broad alumni network. You will manage a US-wide portfolio targeting gifts from $25,000+ and collaborate closely with faculty, leadership, and campaign staff to advance university priorities.

With a focus on securing commitments in the $25k–$100k+ range, you will deliver funding proposals, travel to meet donors, and

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to execute successful full-cycle donor strategy.
• Minimum of one year of experience in higher education philanthropy or related fields.
• 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.
• Capable of working independently, while also engaging in collaboration between teams.
• Ability to travel frequently to visit prospects and donors.

Responsibilities

• Frontline Fundraiser: Build and carry an active portfolio of 80-100 prospective donors across the US.
• Engage in qualification, strategy, development, relationship building, and closing of annual and major gifts at $25,000+ for the Jackson School.
• After a full year in the role, consistently produce $2,500,000+ per year in contributed income.
• Successfully deliver 12-20 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 to reach campaign goals.
• Work collaboratively, proactively, and in a professional, service-oriented manner with all University development officers to further the development goals of the University.
• Regularly travel to meet with donors for the purposes of qualification, solicitation and stewardship.
• Utilize a fundraising database and prospecting tools.
• Maintain appropriate electronic documentation on a timely basis, including engagement activities, proposal tracking, contact reports, donor strategies and forecasting.
• Record timely reports, letters, proposals, or gift agreements following a donor contact.
• Maintain an understanding of university priorities, vision and mission.
• Participate in goal setting, proposal preparation, strategy development, and stewardship as required for donors in the portfolio.
• Alumni Relations: Serve as the front-line contact for the general alumni community, cultivating meaningful relationships and representing the Jackson School at events.
• Travel to meet personally with constituents to strengthen connections, identify volunteer interest, and cultivate support for the annual fund.
• Work with FAN’s President to coordinate annual meetings and strengthen board engagement.
• Help identify, cultivate and recruit alumni for FANs board and committee positions.
• Partner with the Donor and Alumni Engagement Coordinator and FAN’s Board Chapter Directors to support the Jackson School’s alumni network.

Skills

Donor strategy

Relationship building

Communication skills

Travel ability

Project management

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

The University of Texas at Austin's Jackson School of Geosciences seeks an Associate Director of Development and Alumni Relations to drive a dynamic donor program and engage a broad alumni network. You will manage a US-wide portfolio targeting gifts from $25,000+ and collaborate closely with faculty, leadership, and campaign staff to advance university priorities.

With a focus on securing commitments in the $25k–$100k+ range, you will deliver funding proposals, travel to meet donors, and