Executive Director for Leadership Principal Giving

University of Texas at Austin

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Director of Development for Leadership Principal Giving works within Texas Development’s Fundraising Vertical and collaborates with colleagues, leaders, and faculty across campus. The role focuses on identifying and cultivating prospects with a capacity of $5 million or more, with an emphasis on soliciting seven- and eight-figure leadership principal gifts ($5 million–$24.9 million). The position is based on UT Austin’s main campus in Austin, Texas, and the standard schedule is on-site, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Additional hours may be required during peak periods and special events. Frequent travel to visit prospects and donors is required.

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, with demonstrated ability to raise $5 million or more through strategic proposal development, solicitation, and closure.
• Demonstrated ability to execute successful full-cycle donor strategies and quickly move high-capacity prospects through a principal giving strategy.
• High degree of emotional intelligence; tenacity, adaptability, and ability to earn trust across campus.
• Ability to drive results and think strategically and creatively with an entrepreneurial mindset while working under pressure.
• Highly effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• 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 use discretion and maintain integrity and professionalism.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States full-time for any employer without sponsorship.
• Regular and consistent attendance is required.

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 principal gifts of $5 million or more; secondarily close seven- and eight-figure gifts to build the Leadership Principal Giving program pipeline.
• Produce $25 million or more annually within three years.
• Participate in goal setting, proposal preparation, strategy development, and donor stewardship for portfolio prospects.
• Deliver funding proposals to prospective and current donors consistently.
• Collaborate with faculty, academic leaders, and development staff to develop campus-wide transformational gift opportunities.
• Use fundraising databases and prospecting tools, and maintain timely electronic records of engagement, proposals, contact reports, donor strategies, and forecasts.
• Prepare timely reports, letters, proposals, and gift agreements following donor contacts.
• Work collaboratively, proactively, and professionally with University development officers to advance University development goals.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package, including insurance and retirement benefits, as well as other programs and services.
• Professional development opportunities.

What This Job Offers

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