Director, Development

University of Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Houston seeks a Director of Development to lead fundraising and donor engagement for an academic college, advancing strategic priorities and philanthropic goals.

You will manage a donor portfolio, cultivate relationships, and coordinate strategies with the Dean and Advancement leadership to secure annual, major, and planned gifts.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five (5) years in fundraising or related field.
• Experience developing and managing relationships with donors and external constituents.
• Experience managing a donor portfolio and securing philanthropic gifts.
• Ability to work with deans, faculty, and senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements annual fundraising strategies for the assigned college.
• Manages a portfolio of prospects and donors to secure annual and major gifts.
• Builds a donor pipeline by engaging alumni, corporations, foundations, and community partners.
• Conducts donor meetings and develops tailored engagement strategies.
• Prepares prospect briefings and solicitation plans for leaders.

Skills

Fundraising experience

Donor relationship management

Excellent communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Department: Advancement & Univ Relations Salary: Commensurate with Experience/Education

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Development leads fundraising and donor engagement efforts for an assigned academic college to advance its strategic priorities and philanthropic goals. In partnership with the Dean and University Advancement leadership, the Director develops and executes comprehensive fundraising strategies and cultivates relationships with alumni, donors, corporations, foundations, and other stakeholders to secure annual, major, and planned gifts. The position manages a portfolio of prospective and current donors, builds a sustainable pipeline of philanthropic support, and strengthens donor engagement across the giving continuum. Serving as the primary Advancement liaison to the college, the Director collaborates with faculty, staff, and Advancement colleagues to align fundraising activities with institutional priorities.

DUTIES

• Develops and implements annual fundraising strategies for the assigned college in alignment with college priorities and the University’s overall Advancement goals
• Manages a portfolio of prospects and donors by identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding relationships to secure annual, leadership, major, and planned gifts that support scholarships, academic programs, faculty initiatives, student success, and other institutional priorities
• Builds and maintains a pipeline of prospective donors by engaging alumni, corporations, foundations, community members, and other constituents, while developing strategies to advance donors through the philanthropic continuum from annual giving to major and planned gifts
• Conducts donor and prospect meetings, develops individualized engagement and solicitation strategies, and secures philanthropic support through effective relationship management and fundraising activities
• Identifies, cultivates, and facilitates planned giving opportunities, including bequests, beneficiary designations, and other legacy gifts, in collaboration with Advancement leadership and subject matter experts
• Partners with the Dean and college leadership to establish fundraising priorities, develop philanthropic opportunities, and engage donors, alumni, corporations, foundations, and other external constituents
• Prepares the Dean and university leaders for donor engagement activities by developing prospect briefings, solicitation strategies, talking points, and follow‑up plans
• Collaborates with Advancement colleagues to coordinate annual giving, alumni engagement, donor stewardship, corporate and foundation relations, and planned giving strategies that support the college’s fundraising objectives
• Develops and implements college‑specific fundraising initiatives, including annual appeals, giving campaigns, giving day activities, and donor engagement efforts designed to increase participation and philanthropic support
• Ensures meaningful donor stewardship through timely acknowledgment, recognition, impact reporting, and ongoing engagement that strengthens long‑term relationships with the college and university
• Maintains accurate donor and prospect records, documents fundraising activities, monitors fundraising performance and pipeline development, and prepares reports on progress toward established goals
• Represents University Advancement within the assigned college and at university, donor, alumni, and community events to strengthen relationships and identify opportunities for philanthropic support

MARGINAL DUTIES

• Performs all other duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in business, communications, nonprofit management, higher education, public administration, marketing, or a related field

Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, development, advancement, nonprofit management, external relations, relationship‑based sales, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing relationships with donors, clients, community partners, or other external constituents
• Experience managing a portfolio or pipeline of prospects and moving relationships through a defined development or relationship‑management process
• Demonstrated experience securing philanthropic gifts, financial commitments, sponsorships, or other significant external support

License/Certification:

• None required

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree
• Fundraising or development experience in higher education
• Demonstrated success soliciting and closing major gifts
• Experience with annual giving strategies, donor pipeline development, and planned or legacy giving
• Experience working directly with deans, faculty, executives, or other senior organizational leaders
• Experience developing philanthropic relationships with alumni, corporations, foundations, or community partners
• Experience using Advancement CRM or fundraising database and moves management practices
• Knowledge of Houston philanthropic, corporate, and community landscape

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of fundraising principles, donor cultivation strategies, and advancement best practices, including annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, donor stewardship, and moves management

Skills:

• Exceptional oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to inspire engagement, influence decision‑making, and secure philanthropic support from diverse audiences

Abilities:

• Ability to develop, implement, and enforce service standards and operational best practices
• Ability to think strategically, exercise sound judgment, manage competing priorities, maintain confidentiality, and handle sensitive information with discretion

WORK LOCATION AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Primary Work Location:

• Works in various environments throughout the workday, including office spaces, classrooms, training facilities, computer labs, auditoriums, and workshops

Physical Demands:

• Work is performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any unpleasant elements;
• Individual has discretion in relation to walking, standing etc., and has minimal exposure to physical risks;
• Must have precise hand‑eye coordination and the ability to lift 25lbs

All positions at the University of Houston‑System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.