Senior Director of Donor Relations and Engagement

Job Posting Title: Senior Director of Donor Relations and Engagement ---- Hiring Department: University Development Office ---- Position Open To: All Applicants ---- Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40 ---- FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA ---- Earliest Start Date: Immediately ---- Position Duration: Expected to Continue ---- Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS ---- Job Details: General Notes About The University of Texas at Austin What starts here changes the world. The University of Texas at Austin, founded in 1883, ranks among the best universities in the world. With 76 programs ranked in the top 10, UT Austin is the #1 public university in Texas and the #7 public university in the nation. Like the state it calls home, The University of Texas at Austin is a bold, ambitious leader supporting more than 55,000 students, 4,750 faculty, 15,000 staff and top national programs across 18 colleges and schools. Amid the backdrop of Austin, Texas, a city recognized for its creative and entrepreneurial spirit, the University provides a place to explore countless opportunities for tomorrow’s artists, scientists, athletes, doctors, entrepreneurs and engineers. Learn more about UT’s mission and values and leadership . Why Join Texas Development? The University of Texas at Austin is a thriving hub of learning and discovery that anchors our city and enables excellence and innovation on the highest level. And it’s only possible because generous supporters believe in the power and promise of our state’s flagship university to change the world. With more than $6 billion raised in the What Starts Here campaign, Texas Development is quickly becoming one of the best fundraising programs in public higher education. Texas Development is a dynamic community of 500+ fundraising professionals across the Forty Acres. We strive to reach the highest levels of achievement and success in all that we do by creating meaningful and powerful experiences for our donors. Follow your passion, grow your career and help us change the world . Benefits The University provides a competitive benefits package that includes insurance and retirement benefits in addition to other programs and services. Texas Development supports growth by offering professional development opportunities that help every team member accomplish their goals, enrich their skillset and deepen their engagement with UT. Purpose Reporting to the Executive Director for Donor Relations, the Senior Director of Donor Relations and Engagement provides strategic leadership for donor engagement programs that advance university priorities, strengthen philanthropic relationships and support fundraising success. The position oversees engagement strategies and experiences for assigned presidential boards and councils, giving societies, donor affinity groups and UDO events across campus-based, regional and international settings. The Senior Director leads engagement strategy, team performance and campus partnerships to strengthen donor connections and support long-term giving and stewardship objectives. Serves as the strategic lead for donor engagement, volunteer leadership and constituent experience programs within Texas Development. This position leads the Engagement team, establishes priorities and performance expectations, and ensures strategies, communications, events and partnerships align with university priorities and Texas Development fundraising objectives and donor relations goals. Responsibilities Strategic Leadership and Engagement Team Management Partner with the Executive Director to establish long-range plans, performance measures, operational improvements and resource allocation recommendations that advance Donor Relations objectives and support university and fundraising priorities. Serve as a member of the Donor Relations leadership team and contribute to planning, resource allocation and cross-functional decision-making. Represent Donor Relations and Texas Development in work groups/committees, cross-functional initiatives and external engagement opportunities, as appropriate. Volunteer Leadership Strategy and Governance Provide executive oversight and strategic direction for the Development Board, presidential boards and councils, and other volunteer leadership organizations. Develop governance, membership and succession strategies for volunteer leadership organizations, giving societies and donor affinity groups. Establish governance frameworks, membership expectations, succession planning practices and operating standards that support effective volunteer leadership and institutional alignment. Advise and partner with board chairs, committees and university leaders to strengthen volunteer engagement, philanthropic advocacy and institutional impact. Advance stewardship and recognition strategies that strengthen donor relationships and philanthropic participation. Staff Leadership and Organizational Development Lead, develop and mentor Engagement team leaders and professional staff, providing coaching and accountability to foster high performance and professional growth. Establish performance expectations, accountability measures, professional development plans and succession strategies that support individual growth and organizational continuity. Recruit, retain and develop a high-performing team capable of advancing engagement priorities and delivering exceptional constituent experiences. Evaluate staffing structures, workload distribution and team capacity to ensure organizational effectiveness and sustainable operations. Foster a collaborative, welcoming and donor-centered culture that promotes innovation, accountability, professional growth and continuous improvement. Encourage knowledge sharing, collaboration and the adoption of best practices to strengthen team and department effectiveness and service delivery. Communications and Engagement Experiences Direct strategy, planning and exec