Senior Director of Development

University of Texas; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Texas at Austin's Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center seeks a Senior Director of Development to act as chief fundraising officer. The role leads major gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, and planned giving, with responsibility for a capital campaign and securing gifts at the $1M+ level.

You will oversee staff, engage volunteers, and align fund-raising strategies with institutional priorities. Extensive travel across Texas and the U.S.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and written/verbal communication with donors
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and teams
• Experience securing large gifts and leading capital campaigns

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for comprehensive development programs including major gifts, annual giving, and special fundraising initiatives.
• Lead the execution of a major capital campaign with strategy, case development, and donor engagement.
• Manage a portfolio of 1M+ donors; cultivate, solicit, and steward high-level gifts.
• Supervise and mentor development staff; foster team performance and accountability.
• Collaborate with university advancement and advisory councils to expand donor pipelines and funding opportunities.

Skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

## Senior Director of DevelopmentApplylocations: JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTERtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todayjob requisition id: R\_00047841**Job Posting Title:**Senior Director of Development**----****Hiring Department:**Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center**----****Position Open To:**All Applicants**----****Weekly Scheduled Hours:**40**----****FLSA Status:**Exempt from FLSA**----****Earliest Start Date:**Immediately**----****Position Duration:**Expected to Continue**----****Location:**JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER**----****Job Details:**## **General Notes**The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is committed to inspiring the conservation and cultivation of native plants through its gardens and programs. The Wildflower Center is the state botanic garden of Texas, a treasured Austin gem, and a national leader in the field of native plant education, gardening, sustainable landscapes, land restoration, plant conservation and research. It is home to the largest living collection of Texas native plants, welcomes 300,000 visitors annually, has over 18,000 member households and reaches more than 2 million people per year through its popular native plant database. The Center envisions thriving, native plant landscapes everywhere that nurture wildlife, uplift communities, and ensure ecological resilience for generations.Wildflower Center staff are University of Texas at Austin employees receiving all associated benefits as well as an annual membership to the Center, discounts on Center classes, access to Wildflower Center events, and discounts at the Shop and Gallery. An inspiring, collaborative and beautiful work environment with outstanding coworkers awaits you.## **Purpose**The Senior Director of Development serves as the chief fundraising officer for the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and is responsible for the strategic direction, management, and execution of a comprehensive development program in alignment with the Wildflower Center’s advancement priorities. This position plays a key leadership role in the planning and execution of a major capital campaign, with responsibility for securing significant philanthropic support through major and principal gifts.## **Responsibilities*** Provide strategic leadership for the Wildflower Center’s comprehensive development program, including major gifts, principal gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, and planned giving.* Lead the execution of a capital campaign, including campaign strategy, case development, prospect identification, and volunteer leadership engagement.* Manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects; personally cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts at the $1M+ level.* Supervise, mentor, and evaluate development staff, establishing performance expectations and fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture.* Work closely with advisory council members, campaign volunteers, and university advancement leadership to strengthen philanthropic engagement and expand the donor pipeline.* Collaborate with Wildflower Center team members to develop compelling funding opportunities and case statements aligned with strategic initiatives and capital priorities.* Ensure accurate tracking, reporting, and forecasting of fundraising activity using university and Wildflower Center systems; monitor and report progress toward annual and campaign goals.* Represent the Wildflower Center in university-wide advancement initiatives and external stakeholder engagements.* Other responsibilities/functions as assigned.## **Required Qualifications*** Bachelor’s degree and significant experience in frontline fundraising, preferably in a higher education or complex nonprofit environment.* Demonstrated success in securing major and principal gifts, including multiple commitments at or above the $1M level.* Proven experience leading or playing a senior role in a capital campaign, including strategy, donor engagement, and gift closure.* Demonstrated ability to execute successful full-cycle donor strategy.* Experience managing and developing professional staff within a results-oriented fundraising program.* Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence high-level donors and stakeholders.* Ability to think strategically while executing tactically in a fast-paced, goal-driven environment.* Ability work well under pressure.* Project management skills.* Capable of working independently, while also engaging in collaboration between teams.* Ability to travel frequently to visit prospects and donors.* Ability to use discretion and maintain integrity and professionalism.*Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.*## **Preferred Qualifications*** Advanced degree.* Experience within a public research university or similarly complex institutional advancement structure.* Familiarity with botanic gardens or similar conservation, environmental, or mission-driven organizations.* Campaign experience and experience with fundraising in an academic and/or non-profit environment.* Experience with VIP or other similar CRM.* Knowledge of UT Austin policies and procedures.## **Driving Required**This job requires a class “C” operator’s driver’s license. The applicant selected must provide a current three year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver’s license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident. Employees who are required to have a CDL are subject to drug and alcohol testing (pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, random, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing).## **Salary Range**OPEN, Commensurate with experience and consistent with university guidelines.## **Working Conditions*** Standard office environment* Regular travel throughout Texas and the U.S. and evening/weekend work required to meet with donors and support events.* This position is based in Austin, Texas.* Must be eligible to work in the United States on a full-time basis for any employer without sponsorship.* May work in extreme temperatures for outdoor events.* May stand for extended periods of time.## **Work Shift*** Flexible schedule to meet work related goals.* Evenings, weekends and holidays when required for mission related events.## **Required Materials*** Resume/CV* 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor.* Letter of interest**Important** **for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers:** You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.**Important for Current university employees and contingent workers:** As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled into your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.