Executive Director of Development, Major and Principal Gifts

Leadnear Technologies Private Limited.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Dell Medical School seeks an Executive Director of Development, Major and Principal Gifts to lead a comprehensive philanthropy program that advances patient care, research, and education. You will report to the Senior Associate Vice President and Chief Development Officer and work with UT Medicine leadership to shape fundraising strategy and department operations.

You will manage a 60–80 person donor portfolio, target $10M–$15M in annual gifts, and drive 15–18 solicitations per year, building a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; equivalent experience considered.
• Minimum 10 years of fundraising experience including principal gifts.
• 3 years in progressive leadership managing teams or programs.
• Experience in healthcare or large complex nonprofit preferred.
• Track record of fundraising results including gifts of $1M+; CRM capabilities desired.

Responsibilities

• Lead Principal and Major Gift fundraising strategy and annual goal achievement.
• Build and carry a 60–80 donor portfolio; engage in qualification, strategy, relationship building and closures of $1,000,000+ gifts.
• Develop multi-year fundraising strategies aligned to healthcare priorities; set KPIs and dashboards for portfolio performance.
• Mentor and supervise a growing team of gift officers; manage pipeline, visits, and reporting.
• Collaborate with leadership and departments; support donor strategy and stewardship.

Skills

Leadership

Donor relationship management

CRM analytics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, nonprofit management, communications, public administration, or related field

Tools

CRM platforms

Job description

Job Posting Title: Executive Director of Development, Major and Principal Gifts

Hiring Department: Dell Medical School

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40

FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date: Sep 07, 2026

Position Duration: Expected to Continue

Location: AUSTIN, TX

Job Details: General Notes Dell Medical School is seeking an Executive Director for Development, Major and Principal Gifts Purpose The Executive Director of Development leads a comprehensive, results‑driven philanthropy program that advances patient care, research, and education supporting the strategic priorities of the healthcare enterprise. Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President and Chief Development Officer, this role partners closely with executive leaders, communications, finance, legal, and advisory boards. The Executive Director will also collaborate with the Senior Associate Vice President and Chief Development Officer at UT Medicine on fundraising strategy and department operations. This position leads a growing team of principal and major gift officers and personally manages a principal gift portfolio of 60-80 prospects, with expectations of 15-18 solicitations annually and $10M-$15M committed per fiscal year. The Executive Director helps develop outreach and cultivation strategies for UT Dell Medicine leadership and supports UT Austin’s healthcare vision.

Responsibilities

• Leads Principal and Major Gift fundraising strategy and annual goal achievement
  • Responsible for achieving a $10M - $15M million annual fundraising goal from individual donors and grateful patients, ensuring at least 30% of annual funding awards derive from new sources.
  • Develops and executes strategy and annual operating plan/goal setting with measurable KPIs.
  • Creates cases for support for existing programs and emerging institutional priorities.
  • Benchmarks performance and adjusts portfolio mix to meet growth targets.
• Leads philanthropic strategy and culture
  • Develops and executes multi‑year strategies aligned to healthcare enterprise fundraising priorities.
  • Instills a culture of relationship focused philanthropy across the organization; aligns messages for clinicians, staff, and volunteers.
  • In partnership with the SAVP / CDO stablishes gift policies, KPIs, and dashboards for portfolio performance and ROI.
  • On behalf of UT Dell Medicine, participates in proposal preparation, strategy development, and stewardship as required for donors in the overall campus healthcare portfolio.
  • Work collaboratively, proactively, and in a professional, service-oriented manner with all University development officers.
  • Serve on the leadership team within the department.
• Manages principal and major gift portfolios
  • Build and carry an active portfolio of 60-80 prospective donors.
  • Engage in qualification, strategy, relationship building, and closing of principal gifts at $1,000,000+.
  • Maintain appropriate electronic documentation on a timely basis, including proposal tracking, contact reports, donor strategies, and forecasting in CRM.
  • Develop timely reports, letters, proposals, or gift agreements following a contact.
  • Within 36 months of start date, consistently produce $10,000,000 to $15,000,000+ per year.
• Oversees team leadership and performance
  • Supervises and mentors a growing team of principal, major, and annual gift officers.
  • Sets goals and accountability for portfolios, visits, dollars raised, and pipeline management to achieve annual and campaign goals aligned with UT Medicine philanthropic priorities.
  • Builds teamwork, respect, and professional development pathways.
  • Troubleshoots roadblocks for the team.
  • Effectively work with clinical, faculty and academic leaders, leading and managing a team of gift officers.
  • Serves as key collaborator with Texas Development gift officers in advancing medicine prospects.
• Directs prospect research, analytics, and operations
  • Collaborates with philanthropy operations on donor services, acknowledgments, and database governance.
  • Leverages CRM, including analytics and digital tools, to enhance fundraising team’s performance.
• Other duties as identified by department
• Marginal or Periodic Functions:
  • Supports executive recruitment of board members with strong donor networks.
  • Advice on naming opportunities and gift acceptance exceptions requiring senior approval.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business, nonprofit management, communications, public administration, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.

Experience: Minimum 10 years of relevant fundraising experience (including principal gifts) with 3 years in progressive leadership managing teams or programs; healthcare or large complex nonprofit experience preferred. Track record of fundraising results including gifts of $1M+. Experience with digital/CRM capabilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education:
• Track record of fundraising results including gifts of $1M+. Experience with digital/CRM capabilities.