Director of Development for Major Gifts

University of Texas; Austin, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin seeks a skilled advancement professional to lead a major gifts portfolio for the Jackson School of Geosciences. You will identify, cultivate, and close gifts of $100,000+ while building strategic relationships with faculty and senior leaders.

Deliver proposals, collaborate across campus, and maintain timely donor records. Significant travel is required to visit prospects and donors as part of a dynamic, goal-driven team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Five+ years of major or planned giving experience in higher education or non-profit fundraising.
• Advanced degree or CFRE certification preferred.
• Strong emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to travel frequently to visit prospects and donors.
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising metrics.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects.
• Qualify, strategize, develop proposals, and close gifts at $100,000+ for the Jackson School of Geosciences.
• Cultivate relationships with donors and pursue campus-wide funding opportunities.
• Prepare and deliver funding proposals to prospective and current donors.
• Collaborate with faculty and development staff to forecast and report activity.

Skills

Donor relationship management

Strategic fundraising

Communication skills

Proposal development

Project management

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Advanced degree or CFRE

Job description

* Build and carry an active portfolio of 40 to 80 prospective donors.* Engage in qualification, strategy development, relationship building and closing of major gift(s) at $100,000+ for the Jackson School of Geosciences.* Proactively engage, cultivate, and solicit Jackson School of Geosciences parents.* Within 18 months of start date, consistently produce $2,000,000+ per year.* 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.* Additional duties as assigned.* 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 in a complex, highly matrixed organization.* 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 and willingness to travel frequently to visit prospects and donors.* Ability to use discretion and maintain integrity and professionalism.* Advanced degree or CFRE certification.* Five + years of major or planned giving experience in higher education or non-profit fundraising.* Experience raising funds for the sciences in higher education.* Proven track record of adhering to and exceeding specific metrics.**Start Here, Change the World**At The University of Texas at Austin, tradition meets innovation in the heart of a city that frequents lists of the best places to live and work. Named by Forbes as one of America's Best Large Employers for the sixth year in a row in 2025, UT offers both a dynamic work environment and a gateway to vibrant local culture. Whether you're at the forefront of the student experience, conducting world-changing research or supporting the engine that drives Texas' flagship university, working at UT means making a lasting impact on our city, our state and our world.Our more than 20,000 faculty and staff empower 55,000+ students to challenge ideas, pursue passions and shape their futures. Joining UT, you'll become part of a community dedicated to making a meaningful impact on campus and throughout the world.Please see our .**Comments and Inquiries:**Email comments to [e-mail]. For questions or concerns regarding equal opportunity only, contact .Additional information for applicants can be found on the Human Resources web page:. For more job information, call the Human Resource Service Center at [phone], or toll-free at [phone].