Principal Gifts Officer

Job Summary

UATX seeks a Principal Gifts Officer to join its growing Office of Development and play a pivotal role in securing significant philanthropic support. The person in this role is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individuals, families, and foundations, with a primary focus on either Texas or the West Coast.

The Principal Gifts Officer will report to the Chief Development Officer and will operate with a high degree of autonomy to manage a robust portfolio of prospects and donors. Effective partnership with senior leaders, including the president, deans, executive team, and colleagues across UATX, is critical. This role requires strategic vision and disciplined execution, strong communication and interpersonal skills, intellectual curiosity, and creativity. The role is ideal for a seasoned fundraiser who thrives in an entrepreneurial, fast-moving environment, operates with a bias toward action, and is deeply aligned with UATX’s mission and long-term vision.

Preference is for the fundraiser to be based in Austin, so as to be integrated with our campus community, and to have eight years experience in fundraising, with a track record of closing gifts.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Principal Gifts Officer will:

·        Build, manage, and advance a portfolio of principal gift prospects and donors across either Texas or the West Coast

·        Cultivate authentic, long-term relationships and successfully solicit and close 7- and 8- figure gifts

·        Engage donors through thoughtful, sophisticated interactions, including frequent meetings by phone, Zoom, and in person; as well as by connecting donors to senior leaders and faculty

·        Travel regularly (minimum 35%) for donor engagement

·        Lead the planning and execution of high-level donor events

·        Partner with Development colleagues to develop proposals, briefing materials, and donor-facing collateral

·        Collaborate closely with the Chief Development Officer, the President of UATX, academic leaders, and senior staff to align donor strategy with institutional priorities

Qualifications

·        Eight years experience in nonprofit development or fundraising, with demonstrated success securing major and principal gifts; or in sales, business development, strategic partnership, investor relations, or equivalent experience

·        Proven ability to develop and execute sophisticated fundraising strategies for high-net-worth individuals and families

·        Exceptional written and verbal communication skills

·        Ability to manage complex, shifting priorities and adapt strategy in response to new opportunities

·        High degree of initiative, discretion, and conscientiousness

·        Deep appreciation for UATX’s mission and an entrepreneurial, institution-building mindset