Director of Major Gifts and Strategic Initiatives

POSITION SUMMARY

Huston-Tillotson University (HT) seeks a dedicated and skilled Director of Major Gifts and Strategic Initiatives to provide strategic leadership for the University’s major gift fundraising efforts and high-priority advancement initiatives. Reporting to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, the Director develops, cultivates, solicits, and stewards major donors and prospects while leading strategic initiatives designed to increase philanthropic support and advance the mission and priorities of Huston-Tillotson University.

The Director will build and manage a portfolio of high-capacity individuals, organizations, and other prospective partners, with a particular focus on securing transformational gifts. The position will work collaboratively with community partners to identify opportunities, develop compelling cases for support, and translate institutional priorities into successful fundraising strategies.

TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Major Gifts

• Develop and execute comprehensive strategies to secure major and transformational gifts in support of University priorities.
• Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors through identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Develop individualized relationship-management strategies and move prospects through the fundraising pipeline.
• Conduct face-to-face and virtual donor meetings, campus visits, tours, presentations, and solicitation conversations.
• Prepare proposals, briefing materials, gift strategies, and other donor-facing materials.
• Partner with the President, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, trustees, and other senior leaders on major gift solicitations.
• Identify opportunities for unrestricted, restricted, endowed, capital, planned, and multi-year gifts.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of donor interactions, strategies, proposals, and outcomes in the University's advancement database.

Strategic Initiatives

• Lead fundraising strategies for priority institutional initiatives, including capital projects, academic programs, scholarships, student success, athletics, facilities, and other University priorities.
• Translate strategic institutional goals into compelling philanthropic opportunities and cases for support.
• Develop project-specific fundraising plans, timelines, benchmarks, and revenue goals.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to move strategic initiatives from concept to implementation.
• Identify emerging philanthropic opportunities and develop partnerships that expand the University's network of supporters.
• Support special campaigns, leadership initiatives, signature events, and other advancement priorities.

Donor Stewardship & Engagement

• Plan and coordinate donor engagement opportunities, including site visits, tours, and recognition events with a focus on hospitality and relationship building.
• Prepare and deliver timely acknowledgments, reports, and communications to major gift donors.
• Ensure donor experiences are handled with professionalism and impeccable soft skills.

Communication & Reporting

• Draft and prepare high-quality reports, proposals, and presentation materials for donors, leadership, and board members.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in donor management systems.
• Deliver regular progress updates on goals, outcomes, and donor activity.

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 3–5 years of professional experience in fundraising, project management, commercial development, sales, or related fields.
• Experience with donor database systems preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• Demonstrated ability to manage projects, develop facilities-related initiatives, and coordinate multiple priorities effectively.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to prepare compelling reports and presentations.
• Proven interpersonal and hospitality-oriented skills, with a record of building strong relationships across diverse stakeholders.

SUPERVISION

• This position reports to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement

SALARY RANGE

• $70,000 - $80,000 annually, plus benefits!

POSITION STATUS

• Full-time; in-person.

SETTING

Founded in 1875, Huston-Tillotson University is Austin's first institution of higher education. The University is an independent, liberal arts, church-related, historically black institution located on a 23-acre tree-lined campus near downtown Austin, Texas. The University is affiliated with United Methodist Church, the United Church of Christ, and the United Negro College Fund. Undergraduate, four-year degrees in business, education, the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences are awarded. Huston-Tillotson University is multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-faith, and welcomes students of all ages, races, and religions. All faculty are engaged in a range of activities, their primary focus is teaching. The student-teacher ratio is 15 to one, which allows an environment of personalized attention to students.