Executive Director for Leadership Principal Giving

The University of Texas at Austin•Austin, UT

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Director of Development for Leadership Principal Giving serves on Texas Development’s Fundraising Vertical, collaborating with colleagues, leaders, and faculty across campus. The position focuses on identifying and cultivating prospects with capacity of $5 million or more, with an emphasis on soliciting seven- and eight-figure gifts consistently. The primary focus is closing leadership principal gifts of $5 million or more, with a secondary focus on closing seven- and eight-figure gifts to build the Leadership Principal Giving program pipeline. The role is expected to produce more than $25 million annually within three years. This position is based on the University of Texas at Austin’s main campus in Austin, Texas. Standard hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., on site, with additional hours potentially required during peak periods and special events. Frequent travel to visit prospects and donors is required. The position is expected to continue. The University offers insurance and retirement benefits, as well as professional development opportunities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree; relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
At least 6–8 years of experience closing gifts of $1 million or more year over year.
Demonstrated ability to raise $5 million or more through strategic proposal development, solicitation, and gift closures.
Demonstrated ability to execute successful full-cycle donor strategies and quickly advance high-capacity prospects through a principal giving strategy.
High degree of emotional intelligence.
Demonstrated tenacity, adaptability, ability to earn trust across campus, and ability to drive results.
Highly effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Strategic and creative thinking, an entrepreneurial mindset, and ability to work well under pressure.
Project management skills.
Ability to work independently and collaborate across teams.
Experience with VIP, Raiser’s Edge, or a similar CRM.
Ability to travel frequently to visit prospects and donors.
Ability to exercise discretion and maintain integrity and professionalism.
Authorization to work in the United States full time for any employer without sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Record of closing gifts of $10 million or more.
10 or more 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.

Responsibilities

Maintain an understanding of University and Texas Development priorities, vision, and mission.
Build and manage an active portfolio of 40–60 prospective donors.
Qualify, develop strategies for, cultivate relationships with, and close leadership gifts of $5 million or more.
Close seven- and eight-figure gifts to help build the Leadership Principal Giving program pipeline.
Produce more than $25 million annually within three years.
Participate in goal setting, proposal preparation, strategy development, and donor stewardship as needed.
Deliver funding proposals consistently to prospective and current donors.
Collaborate with faculty, academic leaders, and development staff to develop campus-wide transformational gift funding opportunities.
Use fundraising databases and prospecting tools.
Maintain timely electronic documentation, including engagement activities, proposal tracking, contact reports, donor strategies, and forecasting.
Record timely reports, letters, proposals, or gift agreements following donor contacts.
Work collaboratively and professionally with University development officers to further University development goals.
Perform additional duties as assigned.