Chief Development Officer – Major Gifts & Campaigns

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center seeks a Senior Director of Development to lead a comprehensive fundraising program and drive a major capital campaign. The role focuses on securing significant philanthropic support through major gifts and principal gifts, while guiding strategy and staff development.

Reporting to university advancement leadership, you will cultivate high-capacity donors, manage a team, and expand the donor pipeline to support the Center's

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and significant frontline fundraising experience.
• Proven success securing major gifts, including multiple commitments at or above $1M.
• Experience leading or playing a senior role in a capital campaign.
• Demonstrated ability to execute successful full-cycle donor strategy.
• Experience managing and developing professional staff within a fundraising program.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the Wildflower Center’s comprehensive development program, including major gifts, principal gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, and planned giving.
• Lead the execution of a capital campaign, including campaign strategy, case development, prospect identification, and volunteer leadership engagement.
• Manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects; personally cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts at the $1M+ level.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate development staff, establishing performance expectations and fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture.
• Work closely with advisory council members, campaign volunteers, and university advancement leadership to strengthen philanthropic engagement and expand the donor pipeline.
• Collaborate with Wildflower Center team members to develop compelling funding opportunities and case statements aligned with strategic initiatives and capital priorities.

Job description

The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center seeks a Senior Director of Development to lead a comprehensive fundraising program and drive a major capital campaign. The role focuses on securing significant philanthropic support through major gifts and principal gifts, while guiding strategy and staff development.

Reporting to university advancement leadership, you will cultivate high-capacity donors, manage a team, and expand the donor pipeline to support the Center's