Director of Development for Principal Gifts

utaustin; Utah; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin seeks a Director of Development for Principal Gifts to join Texas Development. You will manage a 60 to 80 donor portfolio and lead strategies for gifts of $500,000 and above for the College of Liberal Arts.

Work closely with the CDO and Senior Director, travel to meet prospects, and collaborate with faculty and development staff to drive $5M-$8M annually.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; graduate degree preferred.
• Five years of major gifts fundraising or related field.
• Proven ability to execute full-cycle donor strategy.
• High emotional intelligence and strong communication.
• Strategic thinker who performs under pressure.
• Capable of independent work and cross-team collaboration.
• Experience with CRM systems such as Raiser's Edge.
• Willingness to travel frequently to visit prospects.
• Discretion, integrity, and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Maintain an understanding of university priorities and College of Liberal Arts.
• Build and carry an active donor portfolio 60–80 prospects.
• Engage in qualification, strategy, development, and closing of principal gifts.
• Aim to generate $5M–$8M in annual funding.
• Prepare proposals and steward donors as required.
• Collaborate with faculty and development staff to create funding opportunities.
• Maintain documentation of engagement activities and forecasting.
• Provide timely reports, proposals, and gift agreements.

Skills

Emotional intelligence

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Project management

Independent work

Collaboration

Travel willingness

Drive for results

Tenacity

Education

Bachelor's degree

Graduate degree

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Job description

Job Posting Title:

Director of Development for Principal Gifts ----

Hiring Department:

University Development Office ----

Position Open To:

All Applicants ----

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40 ----

FLSA Status:

Exempt from FLSA ----

Earliest Start Date:

Immediately ----

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue ----

Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS ----

Job Details:

About The University of Texas at Austin

What starts here changes the world.

The University of Texas at Austin, founded in 1883, ranks among the best universities in the world. With 76 programs ranked in the top 10, UT Austin is the #1 public university in Texas and the #7 public university in the nation.

Like the state it calls home, The University of Texas at Austin is a bold, ambitious leader supporting more than 55,000 students, 4,750 faculty, 15,000 staff and top national programs across 18 colleges and schools. Amid the backdrop of Austin, Texas, a city recognized for its creative and entrepreneurial spirit, the University provides a place to explore countless opportunities for tomorrow's artists, scientists, athletes, doctors, entrepreneurs and engineers.

Learn more about UT's mission and values and leadership .

Why Join Texas Development?

The University of Texas at Austin is a thriving hub of learning and discovery that anchors our city and enables excellence and innovation on the highest level. And it's only possible because generous supporters believe in the power and promise of our state's flagship university to change the world. With more than $6 billion raised in the What Starts Here campaign, Texas Development is quickly becoming one of the best fundraising programs in public higher education.

Texas Development is a dynamic community of 500+ fundraising professionals across the Forty Acres. We strive to reach the highest levels of achievement and success in all that we do by creating meaningful and powerful experiences for our donors.

Follow your passion, grow your career and help us change the world .

Benefits

The University provides a competitive benefits package that includes insurance and retirement benefits in addition to other programs and services.

Texas Development supports growth by offering professional development opportunities that help every team member accomplish their goals, enrich their skillset and deepen their engagement with UT.

Purpose

To serve as the Director of Development for Principal Gifts on Texas Development's fundraising team supporting the College of Liberal Arts. Successful candidates will work closely with the CDO and Senior Director of Principal Gifts and focus on identifying and cultivating prospects with an emphasis on soliciting gifts of $500,000 and above.

Responsibilities

• Maintain an understanding of university and the College of Liberal Arts priorities, vision and mission.
• Build and carry an active portfolio of 60 to 80 prospective donors.
• Engage in qualification, strategy, development, relationship building, and closing of principal gifts at $500,000 or more for the College of Liberal Arts.
• Consistently produce $5M - $8M 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 to reach campaign goals.
• Utilize 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 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.

Salary Range

OPEN

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Demonstrated ability to execute successful full-cycle donor strategy.
• A minimum of five years' experience in major gifts fundraising 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.
• Experience working with VIP, Raiser's Edge or other similar CRM.
• Ability to travel frequently to visit prospects and donors.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain integrity and professionalism.

Preferred Qualifications

• More than the required years of fundraising and/or planned giving experience.
• Graduate degree and/or CFRE certification.
• Experience working in a l