Senior Director of Development & Philanthropic Strategy

The University of Texas at Dallas

Dallas (TX)

Hybrid

USD 140,000 - 158,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

The University of Texas at Dallas seeks a Senior Director of Development & Philanthropic Strategy to lead a comprehensive major gifts program and drive multi-year fundraising strategy. The role advances high-impact donor relationships and collaborates with leadership to align priorities across the university.

You will manage high-capacity donor portfolios, guide stewardship, and serve as a strategic adviser to executives, elevating the university’s philanthropic capacity.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree with ten years of work experience in related field.
Advanced degree and 15+ years of demonstrated success within complex nonprofit organizations leading principal gift strategies and partnerships with leadership and boards.

Responsibilities

Lead comprehensive philanthropic strategy advancing Center for BrainHealth’s mission and long-term growth.
Secure transformational gifts by cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major and principal gifts.
Manage a strategic portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects with sophisticated engagement plans.
Advise executive leadership on fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and resource development.
Build relationships with donors, board members, community leaders, and strategic partners.
Lead an integrated fundraising function across major gifts, planned giving, and foundation relations.
Partner with academic and administrative leaders to align priorities and opportunities.
Represent the Center for BrainHealth to elevate visibility and partnerships.
Leverage data and metrics to inform decisions and optimize fundraising effectiveness.

Skills

Major gift fundraising

Donor cultivation

Solicitation

Stewardship

Portfolio management

Fundraising strategy

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree

Job description

Senior Director of Development & Philanthropic Strategy

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

In your cover letter, please address your experience with major gift fundraising in an academic or other nonprofit setting. Include specific examples of donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, portfolio management, fundraising outcomes, and collaboration with key stakeholders. If your experience was gained outside higher education, describe how it is relevant and transferable to this position. Please highlight your individual contributions and measurable results where possible.

Posting Details

Posting Number | S07187P

Position Title | Senior Director of Development & Philanthropic Strategy

Functional Title | Senior Director of Development & Philanthropic Strategy

Department | CBH CR_Development

Salary Range | $150,000 to $170,000, Dependent on Qualifications

Pay Basis | Monthly

Position Status | Regular full-time

Location | Dallas

Position End Date (if temporary) |

Posting Open Date | 08/07/2026

Posting Close Date |

Open Until Filled | Yes

Desired Start Date | 09/01/2026

Job Summary | Driving visionary philanthropy to position Dallas as a global leader in brain health, resilience, and cognitive well-being. This position provides strategic leadership for a comprehensive development program driving transformational philanthropic support aligned with long-term priorities. Leads multi-year fundraising strategy and personally advances major and principal gifts. Serves as a key advisor to leadership, drives cross-institutional alignment, and cultivates high-level donor relationships while elevating visibility and building a high-performing development function positioned for sustained growth.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree with ten years of work experience in related field.

Preferred Education and Experience

Preferred candidates will have an advanced degree and 15+ years of demonstrated success within complex, high-performing nonprofit organizations leading principal gift strategies, comprehensive campaigns, and partnerships with executive leadership and high-level volunteer boards.

Other Qualifications

To the extent this position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired and to continue to be employed in the position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Lead and execute a comprehensive philanthropic strategy that advances Center for BrainHealth’s mission, strategic priorities, and long-term growth objectives.

Secure transformational philanthropic investments by cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding principal and major gift prospects, including ultra-high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and corporate partners.

Manage a strategic portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects, developing sophisticated engagement and investment strategies aligned with organizational priorities.

Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership, providing counsel on fundraising strategy, philanthropic opportunities, donor engagement, and resource development initiatives.

Build and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, board members, community leaders, and strategic partners to expand philanthropic support and engagement.

Lead an integrated fundraising function encompassing major gifts, principal gifts, planned giving, foundation relations, corporate partnerships, and donor stewardship.

Partner with academic, research, and administrative leaders to identify funding opportunities, align philanthropic priorities, and advance institutional goals.

Represent Center for BrainHealth to elevate organizational visibility, strengthen strategic partnerships, and advance its reputation among the donor community.

Leverage data, analytics, and performance metrics to inform decision-making, evaluate outcomes, and optimize fundraising effectiveness and growth.

Build, lead, and develop a high-performing development team to foster accountability, innovation, stewardship excellence, and fiscal compliance in support of sustainable philanthropic growth.

Remote Work Notice

A hybrid remote work environment is available and a UT Dallas Remote Work Agreement is required upon employment. Use of personal computer and other standard office equipment may be required. Must be located within the DFW Area and have the ability to be on campus with 24 hours of notice.

What We Offer

UT Dallas aims to attract and retain talented staff and faculty to support the University’s students and mission. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including: Medical with prescription drug coverage (100% paid for full-time employees), dental, and, vision insurance plans Life, AD&D, and disability insurance plans Flexible Spending Accounts Paid time off and holidays Retirement plans Employee tuition assistance Professional development and training opportunities Employee wellness and employee assistance programs and much more!

Visit https://hr.utdallas.edu/employees/benefits/ for more information.

Special Instructions Summary

In your cover letter, please address your experience with major gift fundraising in an academic or other nonprofit setting. Include specific examples of donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, portfolio management, fundraising outcomes, and collaboration with key stakeholders. If your experience was gained outside higher education, describe how it is relevant and transferable to this position. Please highlight your individual contributions and measurable results where possible.

Important Message

1) All employees serve as a representative of the University and are expected to display respect, civility, professional courtesy, consideration of others and discretion in all interactions with members of the UT Dallas community and the general public.

2) The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to providing an educational, living, and working environment that is welcoming, respectful, and inclusive of all members of the university community. UT Dallas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its services, programs, activities, employment, and education, including in admission and enrollment. UT Dallas is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request reasonable accommodation in the employment application and interview process, contact the ADA Coordinator. For inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, contact the Title IX Coordinator.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Which best describes your highest level of education?
- High School Diploma
- Associates Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree
- Other Advanced Degree

Please indicate years of relevant development (major gift fundraising) experience in an academic or other non-profit setting:
- None
- Less than seven years
- Seven to ten years
- Ten plus years