Senior Director of Development

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary

UATX seeks an entrepreneurial, relationship-driven Senior Director/Director of Development to help
advance one of the most ambitious fundraising efforts in higher education to support a new university in Austin, Texas.
You will cultivate and manage a portfolio of mission-aligned current and prospective donors, executing
sophisticated moves management strategies to secure transformational 6-plus-figure gifts, while leading a
team of gift officers toward the same goals.
This role is ideal for a dynamic fundraiser who thrives on building long-term relationships, advancing
major gift opportunities, is an adept leader and manager, and wants to shape a growing institution at a
pivotal moment. A candidate should be in pursuit of pure excellence and possess a desire to build a
best-in-class fundraising program and portfolio at the nation’s most innovative new university.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Chief Development Officer to establish a data-led fundraising program for major
  gifts.
• Manage a team of major gift officers toward established KPIs and accountability measures while
  maximizing the art of fundraising to align each team member’s strengths and each donor’s
  uniqueness.
• Build a portfolio of major donors and prospects, both in a regional strategy and within
  the state of Texas, setting fundraising strategies, and executing on each. This will require
  frequent donor meetings via phone, Zoom, and face to face, with a minimum of 35% travel.
• Plan and execute donor events (dinners and receptions) in key cities and with key constituency
  groups.
• Work with other UATX team members to coordinate UATX programs, donor messaging
  materials, online fundraising, and more.
• Collaborate with the CDO, the President, and other UATX team members on strategies
  for donors within their respective portfolios.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and closing five-, six-, and seven-figure gifts in
  higher education, nonprofit, startup, or mission-driven environments.
• Exceptional intellectual and social curiosity, with the ability to engage thoughtfully across
  disciplines, ideas, and perspectives.
• Strong interpersonal agility and emotional intelligence; able to adapt communication style, tone,
  and approach to a wide range of donors, trustees, founders, faculty, and prospects.
• Skilled relationship builder who asks insightful questions, listens deeply, and uncovers donor
  motivations and philanthropic interests.
• Strategic and confident fundraiser who can move prospects toward solicitation with clarity,
  transparency, and persistence.
• Proven ability to synthesize complex institutional priorities and communicate them in
  compelling, accessible language for external audiences.
• High level of comfort engaging sophisticated, entrepreneurial, and intellectually independent
  donors.
• Experience using data, research, and analytics to prioritize prospects, manage portfolios, and
  drive fundraising outcomes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including donor correspondence, proposals,
  briefing materials, and presentations.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across leadership, academic, and development teams while
  maintaining strong independent execution.
• Commitment to the mission and vision of University of Austin and enthusiasm for advancing
  innovative higher education.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.