Major Gift Officer, Academic

Job Description

Korn Ferry has partnered with The University of Texas at Tyler (UT Tyler) to recruit its next Major Gift Officer, Academic.

About UT

Tyler UT Tyler was founded in 1971. It's a growing R2 research university serving more than 11,500 students through more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs. UT Tyler's strategic plan is driven by three priorities: student success, teaching excellence, and service to East Texas.

Why This Opportunity

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• UT Tyler is a growing R2 research university with rising enrollment, energized leadership, and a community deeply invested in its success.
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• The advancement team raised approximately $23 million last year with a lean team. More than 95% of donors are community and regional supporters.
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• The academic colleges are ready for their next chapter of philanthropy. A seasoned gift officer will have the rare opportunity to shape funding priorities and lead the move toward major and transformational gifts.
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• Momentum is building across the colleges:
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• U.S. News and World Report ranks the College of Engineering No. 62 nationally among undergraduate engineering programs at schools without a doctorate.
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• The Soules College of Business is launching a new banking program.
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• A new School of Education dean is reshaping teacher preparation with local school districts.
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• Multidisciplinary opportunities connecting business, engineering, education, and the School of Medicine offer compelling ideas for donors.
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• President Julie V. Philley, MD, is an East Texas native and physician who is deeply engaged with donors.
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• Tyler offers a high quality of life with no state income tax, a median home value of $310,000, and easy access to Dallas. Relocation assistance is available.
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Purpose of the Position

The Major Gift Officer, Academic reports to the Associate Vice President for Advancement. The role will lead frontline fundraising for the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering, Soules College of Business, and School of Education. It will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors capable of six and seven figure commitments that advance teaching, research, and student success.

This role is part fundraiser and part strategic advisor. The Major Gift Officer will partner closely with four deans, several of whom are new to their roles. They will help the deans cast a vision for their colleges, define fundable priorities, and bring forward bold ideas that inspire transformational gifts.

Key Responsibilities

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• Partner with four deans to cast a vision for each college and identify transformational gift opportunities.
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• Help deans and department chairs define funding priorities and focus on opportunities with the greatest donor appeal.
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• Develop compelling case statements, proposals, and impact reports.
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• Identify multidisciplinary initiatives that connect business, engineering, education, and the health sciences.
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• Manage a portfolio of approximately 100 to 150 prospects and donors.
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• Lead discovery and qualification to grow the pipeline of six figure prospects.
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• Move academic giving from smaller annual and corporate gifts toward major and transformational commitments.
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• Cultivate corporate partnerships, especially with employers who hire UT Tyler engineering and business graduates.
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• Build trusted relationships with community leaders, alumni, parents, corporations, and foundations.
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• Partner with the President, deans, faculty, and volunteers on cultivation and solicitation strategy.
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First Year Goals

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• Raise approximately $500,000 in the first year, with growth toward $1 million as college priorities mature.
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• Develop case statements and funding priorities with each of the four deans.
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• Build a qualified portfolio through discovery and qualification visits.
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Qualifications

Required

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• Bachelor's degree.
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• Eight years of progressive experience in fundraising, advancement, sales, or relationship management, with major gift experience strongly preferred.
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• An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
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Preferred

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• Major gift experience in higher education, ideally supporting multiple colleges or academic units.
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• Experience advising deans or academic leaders on fundraising priorities and case development.
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• Experience with corporate and foundation partnerships in fields such as engineering, business, or education.
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• Master's degree and CFRE credential.
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The Ideal Candidate

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• Seasoned, patient, and highly collaborative, with the maturity to earn the trust of deans and faculty.
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• A natural coach and advisor who helps leaders think strategically about philanthropy.
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• Able to read the room and tailor support to leaders with varying levels of fundraising experience.
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• Skilled at uncovering opportunities and shaping them into compelling ideas for donors.
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• A strong writer who can build a persuasive case for support.
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• Genuinely driven by philanthropy and the mission of expanding opportunity in East Texas.
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Working Environment

The role is based on the UT Tyler main campus in Tyler, TX. The advancement team works on site, with flexibility when the work calls for it, which supports close daily partnership with deans, faculty, and university leadership. Regular donor visits across East Texas and occasional evening and weekend events are part of the role.

Application Requirements

Candidates who advance in the process will be asked to submit a letter of interest along with their resume. The letter should share what draws them to philanthropy, why UT Tyler, and how their experience fits the priorities of this role.

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