Regional Director of Development

Ugajobsearch; Dallas, Houston (TX, TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Georgia’s Regional Development team seeks a Regional Director of Development based in Dallas or Houston to lead major gift fundraising and donor engagement across Texas.

You will build and manage a portfolio of high-capacity prospects, solicit gifts of $50k and up, and collaborate with campus colleagues to deliver coordinated donor experiences. Expect frequent travel to support priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent; 5 years of professional experience.
• Major gift fundraising in higher education experience preferred (50k+).
• Knowledge of private funding landscape in higher education; ability to handle confidential donor information.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage a donor portfolio focused on Texas regions.
• Cultivate and solicit gifts of $50k+ to benefit University priorities.
• Travel to assigned regions; collaborate with campus partners for coordinated donor experiences.
• Develop solicitation strategies and proposals for major gifts and track progress.

Skills

Donor relations

Major gifts

Communication skills

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Regional Director of Development

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.

Special Instructions

• This position is structured as a permanent position within the Division of Development & Alumni Relations. We are unable to sponsor a work visa for this position.
• Candidates residing in Texas are preferred. The position's primary fundraising responsibilities will focus on the Dallas and Houston metropolitan areas, while also supporting donor cultivation and fundraising efforts throughout Texas and other assigned territories as needed.

Posting Details

Posting Number: S15746P

Working Title: Regional Director of Development

Department: DAR-Regional Development

About the University of Georgia

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university ( https://www.uga.edu/ ). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,200 faculty and more than 7,900 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 44,000 students including over 33,000 undergraduates and over 11,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 20 schools and colleges, including the newly established School of Medicine and the Victoria Kay Investor School of Nursing.

College/Unit/Department

The Regional Development team builds and maintains relationships with alumni and friends to raise major gifts for the University of Georgia. Regional Directors build a culture of philanthropy in regions across the country while strengthening affinity for UGA. Through frequent travel to assigned cities, this team provides strategic direction and leadership for alumni and friends as they make philanthropic and volunteer decisions.

College/Unit/Department website: www.dar.uga.edu and https://give.uga.edu/

Employment Type / Benefits / Salary / Schedule

• Employment Type: Employee
• Benefits Eligibility: Eligible
• Full/Part time: Full Time
• Work Schedule: 8:00am–5:00pm; Flexibility to work evenings and weekends may be necessary to meet business needs
• Advertised Salary: Commensurate qualifications and experience

Location of Vacancy

Outside Georgia

EEO Policy Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ([e-mail]).

Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Position Information Classification

Title: Major Gifts Officer III

FLSA: Exempt

FTE: 1.00

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Candidates residing in Texas are preferred. The position's primary fundraising responsibilities will focus on the Dallas and Houston metropolitan areas, while also supporting donor cultivation and fundraising efforts throughout Texas and other assigned territories as needed.
• Bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of professional experience related to sales, marketing, development, business administration, higher education, project management, or relationship management.
• Major gift fundraising in Higher Education ($50k and up)
• Knowledge of private funding landscape in higher education
• Ability to maintain high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to university business and confidential donor and prospect information.
• Ability to respond to donors needs and concerns in a kind and professional way.

Position Summary

The University of Georgia’s Regional Development team plays a critical role in advancing the university’s mission by building meaningful relationships with alumni, parents, and friends across the country. Through strategic engagement and major gift fundraising, Regional Directors help shape the future of UGA by connecting donors’ passions and philanthropic interests with opportunities to make a lasting impact.

Regional Directors serve as trusted advisors and frontline fundraising leaders, representing the breadth and excellence of the University of Georgia to some of its most engaged constituents. Working across colleges, schools, academic units, and the UGA Athletic Association, they identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects while helping donors achieve their philanthropic goals.

Success in this role requires a highly strategic, donor-centered approach to relationship management. Regional Directors develop and execute comprehensive engagement strategies through a thoughtful blend of in-person visits, virtual outreach, and collaboration with campus partners. They are expected to maintain a robust portfolio of high-capacity prospects and conduct approximately 140 meaningful, strategic visits annually, with the majority taking place in person through intentional and coordinated travel.

As ambassadors for the University, Regional Directors operate with a broad institutional perspective, connecting donors to opportunities across the entire UGA enterprise. They leverage their deep understanding of donor motivations, university priorities, and regional markets to maximize philanthropic investment and strengthen lifelong affinity for Georgia.

This position will be based in Dallas, Texas or Houston, Texas, with primary responsibility for cultivating and managing relationships throughout Texas. While building a portfolio and advancing major gift opportunities within Texas will be the primary focus of the role, the state is a shared fundraising market that includes significant activity from multiple colleges, schools, units, and development officers. Success in this position requires a highly collaborative approach, including frequent partnership with campus-based fundraisers, central development colleagues, academic leaders, and unit-based advancement professionals to deliver a coordinated and donor-centered experience. The Regional Director will serve as a key connector across the institution, helping align philanthropic opportunities with donor interests and facilitating engagement that benefits the University as a whole.

Although prospects in Texas will comprise the majority of this position’s portfolio and engagement activity, additional territories may be assigned as institutional priorities evolve. These assignments may include nearby regional markets or flight-based territories requiring strategic travel and coordination across multiple geographic areas.

Why Join UGA?

This is an opportunity to represent one of the nation’s premier public research universities while working in a highly visible and entrepreneurial fundraising role. Regional Directors enjoy significant autonomy, build relationships with influential alumni and friends, and directly help secure transformational philanthropic investments that advance the University of Georgia’s students, faculty, programs, and future.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and/or Competencies

• Proven record of accomplishment of success in fundraising or similar role
• Ability to cultivate and solicit private gifts from high-level prospects
• Self-starter and highly motivated
• Collaborative style combined with the ability and desire to work in a team-based environment.
• Excellent writing skills with extreme attention to detail and confident, strong verbal communication
• Problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while being flexible.
• Team-oriented strategist able to effectively manage complex situations
• Highly organized and able to handle multiple projects
• Analytical, with adherence to self-guided goals and deadlines
• Adept at navigating complex environments with evolving priorities
• Skilled using Microsoft Office products such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Creative thinker with ability to receive constructive feedback on ideas

Additional Division Expectations

• Through open, honest, and respectful communication, all staff, supervisors, and colleagues of the Division of Development & Alumni Relations are expected to interact with fairness, compassion, and decency. All employees will be held accountable for meeting the expectation of promoting a stable, productive, and healthy work environment.
• Adherence to CASE standards and commonly accepted industry standards relating to fundraising reporting are expected of all fundraisers. All fundraisers will be held accountable for meeting this expectation.

Physical Demands

• The position’s primary fundraising responsibilities will focus on the Dallas and Houston metropolitan areas, while also supporting donor cultivation and fundraising efforts throughout Texas and other assigned territories as needed.
• Sit for extended periods while working at a computer workstation and during travel as required by job responsibilities
• Hold a valid driver’s license
• Driving as needed to perform job duties
• Travel in and out of state
• Work evenings and weekends, as necessary
• Sit and work at a computer workstation for an extended amount of time
• Work using electronic mail, telephone, face-to-face discussions, paper form correspondence
• Communicate effectively in writing, speaking, and listening
• Organize and establish priorities; Remember detail; multi-task
• Lift and/or move up to 20 pounds
• Walk, stand, stoop, lift, kneel, climb

Other Conditions

Is driving a responsibility of this position? Yes

Is this a Position of Trust? Yes

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? No

Does this position require a P-Card? No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) Yes

Credit and P-Card policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable.

Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Conduct monthly scheduled meetings with prospective donors, alumni, assigned portfolio and UGA constituents in assigned regions. The scheduled meetings goal, along with a fundraising goal, will be agreed upon annually during strategic planning and revisited quarterly.

• The purpose of the meetings is to discover, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward University-wide prospects and donors.
• Basic expectation of a meeting is that it is a scheduled and agreed upon face-to-face meetings between the Regional Director and the prospect.
• Territories include cities assigned to the Regional Director based on institutional priority, wealth ratings, and alumni density.
• Purpose of the meetings is to cultivate, solicit, and steward assigned and newly identified prospects and donors for current and deferred gifts of $50k+ to benefit any School, College, or Unit within the University of Georgia.

Design and implement fundraising strategies to secure Principal gifts ($1 million+) and major gifts ($50k+) in support of the University’s strategic priorities. Fundraising goals are established and agreed upon annually by the Senior Regional Director and the Regional Director in consultation with the Senior Director of Regional Programs.

• Develop and continue to increase a portfolio of prospects with capacity of $50k+ in collaboration with the Research & Prospect Management teams and the Senior Regional Director. The regional development team has an emphasis on $100k+ solicitations.
• When appropriate, participate in prospect strategy meetings with Regional Team, Research & Prospect Management team, volunteers, etc.

Complete managerial processes critical to travel, scheduled meetings, and fundraising performance.

• Complete telephone/correspondence/preparation/follow-up; record meetings, interactions, and plans in the giving & alumni database ( GAIL ) in a thorough and timely manner after the completion of individual meetings and/or trips.
• Prepare timely, accurate, and relevant proposals, presentations, and other fund-raising materials as needed for solicitation.
• Develop a strategy or plan for each prospect assigned with a written solicitation strategy in place for each person.
• Plan and/or participate in quarterly strategy planning sessions for assigned regions with internal university stakeholders.
• Perform administrative duties as needed.

Work collaboratively with development and alumni colleagues across campus on prospects, alumni, and constituents to maximize giving potential for Schools, Colleges, and Units fundraising priorities.

• Create and execute fund raising plans for assigned regions with School/College/Unit fundraisers and other internal stakeholders.
• Work with School/College/Unit fundraisers to fulfill requests to schedule meetings with prospects for the Regional Director’s assigned regions.
• Attend division and development staff meetings, schedule individual strategy meetings as well as agreed upon professional development activities.

Contact Information

Recruitment Contact Name: Development & Alumni Relations’ Office of Talent Management

Recruitment Contact Email: [e-mail]

Recruitment Contact Phone:

Posting Specific Questions

* How did you hear about this employment opportunity within the Division of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR)? Chronicle of Higher Education, DAR Careers Page, Handshake, Insight Into Academia, Inside Higher Ed, LinkedIn, UGAJobs (UGA’s job board), Other (please provide name of source)

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents