Director of Development for Principal Gifts

University of Texas at Austin

9d•$120,000•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Texas at Austin is seeking a Director of Development for Principal Gifts to join its Texas Development team, supporting the Cockrell School of Engineering. This role focuses on identifying and cultivating prospects with the capacity for significant contributions ($1M+) and soliciting gifts of $1M or more. Texas Development is a dynamic community of over 500 fundraising professionals dedicated to creating meaningful donor experiences and achieving high levels of success. The University itself is a globally recognized institution with a strong academic standing and a vibrant campus environment in Austin, Texas.

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.