Major Gifts Officer — Build a Tuition-Free University

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

Job summary

The University of Austin is seeking a Major Gifts Officer to advance its ambitious fundraising efforts in Austin, Texas. You will cultivate and manage a portfolio of mission-aligned donors, executing sophisticated moves management to secure 5-plus-figure gifts.

This role reports to the Senior Director of Development, is full-time in Austin, TX, and requires approximately 30% travel. A dynamic fundraiser who thrives on relationships and collaboration will shape a growing institution at a pivotal

Qualifications

• 3+ years of fundraising experience with demonstrated success closing major gifts in education, nonprofit, startup, or mission-driven environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to engage thoughtfully across disciplines, ideas, and perspectives.
• Strong interpersonal agility and emotional intelligence; adapt communication to diverse donors, trustees, founders, faculty, and prospects.
• Strategic, confident fundraiser who moves prospects toward solicitation with clarity and persistence.
• Proven ability to synthesize complex priorities and communicate them effectively to external audiences.
• Experience using data, research, and analytics to prioritize prospects, manage portfolios, and drive outcomes.
• Commitment to the mission and vision of University of Austin and advancing innovative higher education.

Responsibilities

• Implement major gift methodology to build a portfolio and set strategies, with frequent donor meetings and travel.
• Conduct ~100 visits per year, ~25 solicitations (50% of which >$100k), and close $2–4M per year.
• Match donor interests with institutional priorities to pursue unrestricted funding for UATX.
• Plan and execute donor events (dinners and receptions) in key cities and with key constituency groups.
• Coordinate with other UATX teams on donor messaging, online fundraising, and program alignment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor cultivation

Major gifts strategy

Relationship building

Communication

Tools

CRM (Salesforce)

Data analysis

Donor research techniques

Job description

The University of Austin is seeking a Major Gifts Officer to advance its ambitious fundraising efforts in Austin, Texas. You will cultivate and manage a portfolio of mission-aligned donors, executing sophisticated moves management to secure 5-plus-figure gifts.

This role reports to the Senior Director of Development, is full-time in Austin, TX, and requires approximately 30% travel. A dynamic fundraiser who thrives on relationships and collaboration will shape a growing institution at a pivotal