Director of Development

Ursuline Academy of Dallas is an independent Catholic college preparatory school for young women in grades 9-12. Educating students for 152 years, the Academy is the oldest continuously operating school in Dallas. With a distinguished tradition of academic excellence, innovation, and service, Ursuline educates young women for leadership in a global society.

Ursuline seeks a collaborative, experienced frontline fundraiser for the role of Director of Development. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer (CDO), the Director of Development serves as a key member of the Development team, responsible for driving a comprehensive fundraising strategy that integrates major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, and engagement opportunities.

The role manages a portfolio of leadership and major gift prospects while also contributing to the success of annual fundraising initiatives and select events. The Director of Development plays a critical role in strengthening a portfolio-driven culture, helping to guide prospect strategy to ensure coordinated, data-informed fundraising efforts across the team.

Key Responsibilities

• Major Gift and Portfolio Management
• Manage and grow a dynamic portfolio of 125-150 major gift prospects, leadership annual donors, and planned giving prospects
• Lead all stages of the donor cycle: identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship • Develop and execute individualized strategies to increase giving and deepen engagement
• Conduct regular donor visits and engage in meaningful touchpoints to advance relationships
• Work closely with the CDO on initiatives such as special mini campaigns, planned giving program, private foundation relationships, corporate fundraising, and grant applications

Annual Giving and Pipeline Development

• Contribute to strategy and execution of annual giving efforts, including The Ursuline Fund and UA Giving Day
• Help build and strengthen the pipeline from annual donors to leadership and major gift prospects
• Collaborate with Development colleagues to grow and strengthen reunion giving programs
• Support volunteer-driven efforts (phonathons, class agents, parent/alumnae advocates)
• Partner with the CDO to help build a long-term culture of philanthropy in preparation for future campaigns

Team Leadership and Prospect Management

• Lead and facilitate regular prospect management meetings for the Development team
• Guide team members in developing and refining portfolio strategies
• Work with the CDO to ensure clear assignment of prospects, next steps, and accountability across the team
• Help implement and reinforce a portfolio-driven culture, with defined goals, moves management, and performance metrics
• Serve as a coach and resource for colleagues in professional fundraising best practices

Events and Donor Engagement

• Support and participate in key fundraising and engagement events (e.g., donor cultivation events, campaign events, Gala as needed)
• Leverage events as opportunities for donor identification, cultivation, and stewardship
• Partner with events staff to align donor strategy with event experiences
• Serve as a visible and engaged member of the Development team and broader Ursuline community

Collaboration and Strategy

• Partner closely with Development colleagues to ensure coordinated donor outreach and messaging
• Collaborate with Marketing & Communications on donor communications and storytelling
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all donor interactions in the database
• Use data and reporting tools to track progress, measure effectiveness, and adjust strategies
• Support and help refine broader donor stewardship strategies, including recognition societies and impact reporting

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Collaborative mindset with a willingness to lead and support team initiatives
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, with 5-7 years of experience in major gifts and/or annual giving preferably in an academic setting
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills • Highly organized with strong attention to detail and discretion
• Experience managing a donor portfolio and achieving fundraising goals
• Proficiency in Raisers Edge NXT and Microsoft Office preferred
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed for school events
• A deep appreciation for and commitment to the mission and values of Catholic, independent education for girls

Please direct all inquiries to employment@ursulinedallas.org.

Qualified candidates should download the Employment Application, Background Check, and Pre-Employment Affidavit forms from our Careers webpage. Email the completed forms along with a resume, letters of reference and cover letter to Employment at Ursuline.

Compensation commensurate with experience.