Senior Executive Director of Development for Major Gift Strategy
University of Texas
A complete application in a minute
Tailored resume and cover letter, ready to send.
Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
The University of Texas at Austin is seeking a Senior Executive Director of Development for Major Gift Strategy to set and drive principal gifts strategy campus-wide. Reporting to the University Development Office leadership, you will lead 3+ fundraisers and partner with campus leaders, faculty and VIP donors to advance fundraising goals.
This on-site role is based at UT MAIN CAMPUS in Austin, Texas, with a high-profile portfolio and opportunities to shape major gift initiatives and donor
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree.
- A minimum of 3-5 years as a successful manager of major gift or principal gift fundraisers and/or programs.
- A minimum of 6-8 years’ experience closing $1M+ gifts year over year, with demonstrated ability to execute successful full‑cycle donor strategy and work high‑capacity prospects through a principal giving strategy quickly.
- High degree of emotional intelligence.
- Demonstrated tenacity, adaptability and earned trust across campus.
- Ability to drive results.
- Highly effective communications skills (written, verbal, interpersonal).
- Ability to think strategically and creatively with an entrepreneurial mindset while working well under pressure.
- Project managements skills.
- Capable of working independently, while also engaging in collaboration between teams.
- Experience working with VIP, Raiser’s Edge or other similar CRM.
- 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.
Responsibilities
- Develop the Major Gift band strategy in collaboration with development leadership.
- Set year-over-year growth fundraising targets and track and maintain responsibility to achieve band goal success.
- Build success on past years of fundraising and look for pipeline development opportunities.
- Translate institutional fundraising targets into Major Gift band expectations for Chief Development Officers and the President’s Office.
- Work with managers and Prospect Research & Management (PRM) on goal setting for the band.
- Monitor major gift planned solicitations and partner with fundraiser managers to coach gift officers to solicitation success.
- Deliver a consolidated proposal forecast using consistent stage definitions across contributing officers and colleges, schools and units (CSU’s).
- Explain forecast variances, risks, and recommended band-level actions to fundraising leadership across campus.
- Lead regular pipeline reviews with key development teams to develop action plans with owners, and deadlines.
- Review visits, prospect engagement, proposals, and closures with necessary development stakeholders to identify trends and gaps.
- Partner with GIFT Operations and PRM to identify gaps in proposal quality, moves management, portfolio coverage, and stewardship.
- Coordinate donor strategy and warm handoffs when opportunities move between gift bands.
- Work in partnership with the learning and development team to develop gift officer training specific to principal giving strategies and activities.
- Serve as a manager to senior fundraisers who manage our principal and major gift fundraisers across our college, school, and units.
- Carry a small personal portfolio and model fundraising expectations.
- Serve on a Metrics Refresh Task Force to determine future metric expectations for the major gift officers.
- Additional duties as assigned.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Job Posting Title: Senior Executive Director of Development for Major Gift Strategy ---- Hiring Department: University Development Office ---- Position Open To: All Applicants ---- Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40 ---- FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA ---- Earliest Start Date: Immediately ---- Position Duration: Expected to Continue ---- Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS
What starts here changes the world. The University of Texas at Austin, founded in 1883, ranks among the best universities in the world. With 76 programs ranked in the top 10, UT Austin is the #1 public university in Texas and the #7 public university in the nation. Like the state it calls home, The University of Texas at Austin is a bold, ambitious leader supporting more than 55,000 students, 4,750 faculty, 15,000 staff and top national programs across 18 colleges and schools. Amid the backdrop of Austin, Texas, a city recognized for its creative and entrepreneurial spirit, the University provides a place to explore countless opportunities for tomorrow’s artists, scientists, athletes, doctors, entrepreneurs and engineers. Learn more about UT’s mission and values and leadership.
The University of Texas at Austin is a thriving hub of learning and discovery that anchors our city and enables excellence and innovation on the highest level. And it’s only possible because generous supporters believe in the power and promise of our state’s flagship university to change the world. With more than $6 billion raised in the What Starts Here campaign, Texas Development is quickly becoming one of the best fundraising programs in public higher education. Texas Development is a dynamic community of 500+ fundraising professionals across the Forty Acres. We strive to reach the highest levels of achievement and success in all that we do by creating meaningful and powerful experiences for our donors. Follow your passion, grow your career and help us change the world.
- insurance and retirement benefits
- other programs and services
- professional development opportunities that help every team member accomplish their goals, enrich their skillset and deepen their engagement with UT
To serve as a Senior Executive Director of Development for Major Gift Strategy on Texas Development’s Fundraising Vertical. Successful candidate will collaborate with colleagues, leaders and faculty across campus to set, track and drive strategy on principal gifts. The Senior Executive Director will manage 3+ managers of fundraisers and be responsible for raising funds at the major and principal gift level to model fundraising.
- Develop the Major Gift band strategy in collaboration with development leadership.
- Set year-over-year growth fundraising targets and track and maintain responsibility to achieve band goal success.
- Build success on past years of fundraising and look for pipeline development opportunities.
- Translate institutional fundraising targets into Major Gift band expectations for Chief Development Officers and the President’s Office.
- Work with managers and Prospect Research & Management (PRM) on goal setting for the band.
- Monitor major gift planned solicitations and partner with fundraiser managers to coach gift officers to solicitation success.
- Deliver a consolidated proposal forecast using consistent stage definitions across contributing officers and colleges, schools and units (CSU’s).
- Explain forecast variances, risks, and recommended band-level actions to fundraising leadership across campus.
- Lead regular pipeline reviews with key development teams to develop action plans with owners, and deadlines.
- Review visits, prospect engagement, proposals, and closures with necessary development stakeholders to identify trends and gaps.
- Partner with GIFT Operations and PRM to identify gaps in proposal quality, moves management, portfolio coverage, and stewardship.
- Coordinate donor strategy and warm handoffs when opportunities move between gift bands.
- Work in partnership with the learning and development team to develop gift officer training specific to principal giving strategies and activities.
- Serve as a manager to senior fundraisers who manage our principal and major gift fundraisers across our college, school, and units.
- Carry a small personal portfolio and model fundraising expectations.
- Serve on a Metrics Refresh Task Force to determine future metric expectations for the major gift officers.
- Additional duties as assigned.
OPEN
- Bachelor’s degree.
- A minimum of 3-5 years as a successful manager of major gift or principal gift fundraisers and/or programs.
- A minimum of 6-8 years’ experience closing $1M+ gifts year over year, with demonstrated ability to execute successful full‑cycle donor strategy and work high‑capacity prospects through a principal giving strategy quickly.
- High degree of emotional intelligence.
- Demonstrated tenacity, adaptability and earned trust across campus.
- Ability to drive results.
- Highly effective communications skills (written, verbal, interpersonal).
- Ability to think strategically and creatively with an entrepreneurial mindset while working well under pressure.
- Project managements skills.
- Capable of working independently, while also engaging in collaboration between teams.
- Experience working with VIP, Raiser’s Edge or other similar CRM.
- 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.
- 10+ years of fundraising, management, and/or program management.
- Experience working in a large-scale complex academic research university.
- Knowledge of UT Austin policies and procedures.
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. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University Development Office does not sponsor work visas for this position. Works in standard office conditions, in a shared office environment, with repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation. Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM on‑site work is the standard expectation for this position. May require additional hours during peak periods and special events. Regular and consistent attendance is required in this job.
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.
The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and if this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.
Start Here, Change the World At The University of Texas at Austin, tradition meets innovation in the heart of a city that frequents lists of the best places to live and work. Named by Forbes as one of America's Best Large Employers for the sixth year in a row in 2025, UT offers both a dynamic work environment and a gateway to vibrant local culture. Whether you're at the forefront of the student experience, conducting world-changing research or supporting the engine that drives Texas’ flagship university, working at UT means making a lasting impact on our city, our state and our world. Our more than 20,000 faculty and staff empower 55,000+ students to challenge ideas, pursue passions and shape their futures. Joining UT, you’ll become part of a community dedicated to making a meaningful impact on campus and throughout the world.
UT Austin is a Tobacco-free Campus
'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M101.744%2012.4726L102.894%2016.1947L99.0021%2013.2201L101.744%2012.4726ZM105.3%208.40937H100.488L99.0026%203.59473L97.5116%208.41047L92.7%208.40385L96.5965%2011.3834L95.1055%2016.1942L99.0021%2013.2196L101.408%2011.3834L105.3%208.40992V8.40937Z'%20fill='white'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint0_linear_5593_1381'%20x1='90'%20y1='9.44471'%20x2='99'%20y2='9.44471'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%2300AD70'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.998594'%20stop-color='%2300B67A'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20stop-color='%23DCDCE6'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
