Director of Development (UT Charter Schools)

The University of Texas at Austin•Austin, UT

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the leadership of Dean Charles R. Martinez, Jr., the College of Education (COE) prepares educators, researchers, and leaders to address the most pressing challenges in education and health. Our mission is grounded in three strategic impact areas: Advancing equitable opportunities and eliminating disparities Attending to place and context Thriving through transitions The College of Education is consistently ranked among the top public colleges of education (#4 among publics and #6 overall, U.S. News & World Report). We are home to five academic departments, 13 research and outreach centers, and three university-sponsored PreK–12 programs: UT Elementary School, UT University Charter School, and UT High School. With more than 2,700 undergraduate students, 800 graduate students, and 250 faculty, the college is a vibrant community committed to excellence. Learn more at education.utexas.edu. About UT Elementary School The University of Texas Elementary Charter School is a university-sponsored elementary school celebrating 20 years of service to Austin’s East Side. The school is embarking on a transformational initiative to reimagine the UT Schools and create a new hub for Education Research, Training, and Innovation, anchored by a new UT Elementary School facility. The Director of Development—UT Schools will play a pivotal role in bringing this vision to life. Purpose The College of Education seeks an experienced, collaborative, and strategic Director of Development to lead fundraising for the capital campaign to reimagine a hub the UT Schools, with a primary focus on UT Elementary School and the capital campaign. This role will join the central COE development team and report jointly to: The Chief Development Officer, College of Education The Executive Director of the UT Charter School System Serving as the college’s lead fundraiser for the UT Schools initiative, the Director will develop and manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, launch and drive the capital campaign, and co-lead donor volunteer leadership efforts. The role requires an entrepreneurial spirit, strong relationship-building skills, and the ability to inspire support for a high-visibility, high-impact institutional priority. Why This Role Matters This position offers a rare opportunity to shape a transformative initiative that will strengthen UT Austin’s impact across PreK–12 education, expand educational research and innovation, and build a state-of-the-art school facility for generations of Longhorns.

Requirements

Demonstrated ability to execute successful full-cycle donor strategy with a record of securing major gifts at $100,000+, ideally within a campaign environment.
Experience managing a major gift portfolio, developing donor strategies, and closing complex or principal-level gifts.
Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills with the ability to build relationships across diverse communities, including donors, faculty, administrators, and volunteer leaders.
Ability to work collaboratively across academic, administrative, and volunteer partners as part of a cross-functional team while also operating independently and driving results.
Self-motivated with high degree of emotional intelligence, professional maturity, and sound judgment.
Demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively, work well under pressure, and adapt quickly in a dynamic environment.
Exceptional project management skills with attention to detail, deadlines, and follow-through.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, act with integrity, and represent the university professionally.
Willingness and ability to travel frequently to engage prospects and donors.
Experience supervising or mentoring colleagues or project teams.
Bachelor’s degree.
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree and five or more years of directly related fundraising experience.
Experience in higher education development, K–12 education, or organizations connected to child development, education, or schools.
Demonstrated success with capital campaign fundraising, particularly for facilities or large institutional priorities.
Background working in complex nonprofit or academic environments with multiple stakeholders.
Familiarity with donor management systems, campaign structures, and donor advisory or leadership councils.

Responsibilities

Fundraising & Portfolio Management Build, manage, and actively engage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects with a focus on donors capable of giving $100,000+ and $1,000,000+.
Lead qualification, cultivation, strategy development, solicitation, and stewardship activities for prospects supporting UT Elementary School and the broader UT Schools initiative.
Deliver compelling, customized proposals and secure commitments that advance capital campaign goals, including a $20M+ goal for classroom facilities.
Consistently identify and engage new donors aligned with UT Schools priorities and the College of Education’s strategic impact areas.
Document donor contacts, strategies, proposals, and forecasting in VIP in a timely and accurate manner.
Operate within the Texas Development framework, including specific procedures and policies, such as the Prospect Management Policy, and work collaboratively with campus and University Development Office colleagues.
Support the development of capital campaign materials.
Capital Campaign Leadership Serve as a key architect in launching and managing the capital campaign for UT Elementary School.
Partner with college and school leadership to develop campaign strategies, case materials, timelines, and fundraising tools.
Support coordination with campus planning teams conducting feasibility studies for the new school facility.
Represent UT Schools priorities at internal planning meetings and donor-facing events.
Volunteer & Stakeholder Engagement With the Associate Vice President, co-lead the UT Elementary Development Council, serving as a partner to volunteer leaders and donor champions.
Collaborate effectively with school leadership, teachers, parents, board members, and current donors to support fundraising and campaign momentum.
Support the annual giving committee and the school’s signature “Ask Event"
Collaboration Across the College & University Work closely with faculty, academic leaders, University Development partners, campus partners, and COE development colleagues to align donor interests with strategic priorities across the college.
Contribute to goal setting, proposal development, stewardship planning, and campaign reporting.
Actively participate as a collaborative, service-oriented member of the College of Education development team and the Texas Development community.