Senior Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship

Job Posting Title: Senior Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship ---- 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 Stewardship provides strategic leadership for stewardship programs that advance university priorities, demonstrate the impact of philanthropy and strengthen long-term donor relationships. The position oversees individual and programmatic stewardship, senior leadership correspondence, donor recognition, impact reporting and campus partnerships to support fundraising success and deliver a consistent, donor-centered experience across Texas Development The Senior Director leads stewardship strategy, team performance and campus partnerships to strengthen donor connection and support long-term giving and engagement objectives. Serves as the strategic lead for donor stewardship, recognition, impact reporting and related donor communications within Texas Development. This position leads the Stewardship team, establishes priorities and performance expectations, and ensures strategies, systems and partnerships align with university priorities, fundraising objectives and donor relations goals. Responsibilities Strategic Leadership and Stewardship Team Management Partner with the Executive Director to establish long-range plans, performance measures, operational improvements and resource recommendations that advance Donor Relations and university fundraising priorities. Lead stewardship, recognition and impact reporting initiatives that strengthen donor relationships and advance 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 stewardship-related partnerships, as appropriate. Individual and Programmatic Stewardship Strategy Serve as the primary stewardship lead for a select portfolio of top-tier donors, while providing strategic oversight for individual stewardship, plans, priority donor strategies and programmatic initiatives tied to significant gift commitments. Provide strategic oversight for programmatic stewardship initiatives, including scholarship and beneficiary reporting, donor onboarding and retention, giving society engagement, milestone communications and recurring impact reporting. Partner with transformational, leadership, major, principal and annual giving colleagues to identify stewardship opportunities and develop annual and multi-year plans that reflect donor intent, giving history, relationship goals and university priorities. Coordinate responses to complex stewardship matters related to fund administration, beneficiaries, gift acknowledgements, reporting requirements and donor commitments. Staff Leadership and Organizational Development Lead, develop and mentor Stewardship 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. Evaluate staffing structures, workload distribution and team capacity to ensure organizational effectiveness, sustainable operations and timely stewardship delivery. Foster a collaborative, welcoming and donor-centered culture that promotes innovation, accountability, professional growth and continuous improvement. Acknowledgements, Recognition and Donor Communications Direct