University Of Texas

Director of Development, Major Gifts

Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree with 5+ years in major gift fundraising
  • Proven success in developing donor strategies
  • Strong emotional intelligence and strategic thinking abilities
  • Excellent communication skills across various formats
  • Effective project management and problem-solving skills
  • Collaborative yet able to work independently
  • Proficient in CRM platforms like VIP or Salesforce

Responsibilities

  • Build and manage a portfolio of 40-60 major donor prospects
  • Participate in goal setting, proposal preparation, and donor stewardship
  • Deliver funding proposals focused on engaging new donors
  • Understand and communicate the museum’s priorities and mission
  • Utilize fundraising databases for documentation and strategy tracking
  • Collaborate with development colleagues across the university
  • Perform related duties as assigned

Benefits

  • Hybrid working conditions
  • Opportunity to shape a vibrant educational and cultural hub
  • Engagement with a diverse community of donors and visitors
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Support for ongoing education and outreach initiatives
Full Job Description

Job Posting Title:

Director of Development, Major Gifts

----

Hiring Department:

Texas Memorial Museum

----

Position Open To:

All Applicants

----

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

----

FLSA Status:

Exempt from FLSA

----

Earliest Start Date:

Aug 01, 2026

----

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

----

Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

----

Job Details:

General Notes

TexasScience & Natural History Museum is developing new exhibits, programs, and experiences that spark curiosity, promote belonging, and tell stories about Texas science and natural history. Since reopening in September 2023, the reimagined institution blends its historic building and world-class collections with engaging, modern exhibits focused on science education. The museum has welcomed more than 200,000 visitors from all 50 states and 28 countries while supportingpreK 6 education through field trips and outreach and presenting an active schedule of public programs. The museum continues to evolve as a vibrant educational and cultural hub with a strong path toward long-term sustainability.

Purpose

To serve as the Director of Development, Major Gifts, on the museum 27s development team. The museum seeks a seasoned fundraising professional toidentifyand cultivate new donor prospects with a capacity of $100,000+. Reporting to the Director of Development, the position holds a critical role advancing Texas Science & Natural Museum 27s strategic priorities through fundraising.

Responsibilities
  • Build and carry an active portfolio of 40-60 well-qualified prospective donors with a capacity of $100,000+ andsolicitgifts to support operations, capital projects, education programs, and endowments through pledged and planned monetary gifts. Engage in strategy, identification, qualification, cultivation, relationship building, and closing of major gifts to support the museum 27s priorities.

  • Participate in goal setting, proposal preparation, strategy development, and stewardship asrequiredfor donors in the managed portfolio and as requested.

  • Successfully and consistently deliver funding proposals with a focus on engaging new donors and building contributed revenue that is available within the fiscal year as well as building endowment funding.

  • Maintain an understanding of the museum 27s priorities, vision, and mission. Effectively work with, communicate with, and collaborate with leadership and other staff to develop funding opportunities to reach annual budgetary and long-term goals. Work collaboratively, proactively, and in a professional, service-oriented manner with all departments and development staff to further goals andmissionof the museum.

  • Utilize fundraising databases and prospecting tools. Maintainappropriate electronicdocumentation ona timelybasis, including engagement activities, proposal tracking, contact reports, donor strategies, and forecasting.

  • Work collaboratively and proactively with Texas Developmentand development colleagues within the College of Natural Sciencesto align and advance the museum 27s fundraising efforts. Leverage relationships with development officers across the university to explore and/or strengthen fundraising opportunities for the museum. Participate in professional development opportunities to create and nurture a culture of philanthropy withinTexasScience & Natural History Museum and its constituencies.

  • Performs related duties as assigned. May work on assigned projects.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor 27s Degree and minimum of 5+ years experience in major gift fundraising

  • Proven success in developing and executing full-cycle donor strategies

  • Strong emotional intelligence, intellectual curiosity, and strategic thinking

  • Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, interpersonal).

  • Effective project management and problem-solving abilities, thrives under pressure

  • Collaborative and independent work style; able to engage across teams

  • Proficient in CRM platforms such as VIP, Salesforce, or similar applications

  • Willingness and ability to travel to engage with prospects and donors

  • Demonstrated discretion, integrity,and professionalism in all interactions

  • Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate

Preferred Qualifications
  • 10+ years in major gift fundraising

  • Prior experience at UT or in a large, complex academic research university environment

  • Background in fundraising within a museum or educational organization

  • Graduate degree and/or CertifiedFund RaisingExecutive (CFRE) certification

Salary Range

$115,000+ depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

Hybrid position

Required Materials
  • Resume/CV

  • 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
  • Letter of interest

Importantfor applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers:You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure thatALLRequired Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers:As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questionspresented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

About University Of Texas

The University of Texas at Austin is a public research university located in Austin, Texas. It was founded in 1883 and is the flagship institution of the University of Texas System. The university offers over 170 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across 13 colleges and schools. It is known for its strong academic programs in business, engineering, law, and natural sciences. The university has a diverse student body and is committed to providing a high-quality education to all students. It has a strong research program and is a member of the Association of American Universities.
Learn more about University Of Texas
Size
24,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1881

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at University Of Texas

More Education, Government & Non-Profit Jobs

Find similar Director of Development, Major Gifts jobs: