Senior Director of Development

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.