Director of Development for Principal Gifts

The University of Texas at Austin • Austin, UT

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Development for Principal Gifts will serve on Texas Development’s fundraising team supporting the Cockrell School of Engineering. This role focuses on identifying and cultivating prospects with a capacity of $1M+ and soliciting gifts of $1M+ and above, working closely with the CDO and Executive Director of Principal Gifts. The University of Texas at Austin is a leading global university with a strong commitment to academic excellence and innovation. Texas Development is a dynamic fundraising program aiming for the highest levels of achievement by creating meaningful donor experiences.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Demonstrated ability to execute successful full-cycle donor strategy.
• A minimum of five years’ experience in major gifts fundraising or related fields.
• High degree of emotional intelligence.
• Demonstrated ability to show tenacity and be nimble.
• Ability to drive results.
• Highly effective communication skills (written, verbal, interpersonal).
• Ability to think strategically and creatively and work well under pressure.
• Project management skills.
• Capable of working independently, while also engaging in collaboration between teams.
• Experience working with VIP, Salesforce 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.

Nice To Haves

• More than the required years of fundraising and/or planned giving experience.
• Graduate degree and/or CFRE certification.
• Experience working in a large-scale complex academic research university.
• Knowledge of UT Austin policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated success closing gifts at $1M+ in a complex academic setting.

Responsibilities

• Maintain an understanding of university and the Cockrell School of Engineering priorities, vision and mission.
• Build and carry an active portfolio of 60 to 80 prospects prospective donors.
• Engage in qualification, strategy, development, relationship building, and closing of principal gifts at $1M or more for the Cockrell School.
• Consistently produce $5M - $8M per year.
• Participate in goal setting, proposal preparation, strategy development, and stewardship as required for donors in the portfolio.
• Successfully and consistently deliver funding proposals to prospective and current donors.
• Effectively work with, communicate with, and collaborate with faculty, academic leaders, and other development staff to develop campus-wide funding opportunities to reach campaign goals.
• Utilize a fundraising database and prospecting tools.
• Maintain appropriate electronic documentation on a timely basis, including engagement activities, proposal tracking, contact reports, donor strategies and forecasting.
• Record timely reports, letters, proposals, or gift agreements following a donor contact.
• Work collaboratively, proactively, and in a professional, service-oriented manner with all University development officers to further the development goals of the University.
• Manage up to two gift officers.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package that includes insurance and retirement benefits in addition to other programs and services.
• Professional development opportunities that help every team member accomplish their goals, enrich their skillset and deepen their engagement with UT.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director