Executive Director of Development, Communications

Job Posting Title:

Executive Director of Development, Communications

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Hiring Department:

University Development Office

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Jun 11, 2024

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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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 40 best universities in the world with top national programs across 19 colleges and schools. By creating educational opportunities for all and leading cutting-edge research at scale, the University fosters positive social change, technological advancement, and economic progress showing the world that change really does start here.

Following our 10-year strategic plan, UT will become the world’s highest-impact public research university, unleashing knowledge, opportunity and innovation from the heart of Texas.

Learn more about UT’s mission and values, leadership and Change Starts Here strategic plan.

Why Join Texas Development?

The University of Texas at Austin is on the front lines of the future: sparking the imagination, driving discovery and transforming lives. And it’s only possible because generous supporters believe in the power and promise of our state’s flagship university to change the world.

Together, through one of the largest fundraising efforts in our state’s history, we will support our people, amplify the unmatched potential of our place, and lead innovation through world-changing pursuits. With nearly $5 billion raised over the past six years, Texas Development is quickly becoming one of the best fundraising programs in higher education.

Texas Development is a dynamic community of more than 450 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.

Join us and change the world.

Purpose

As the Executive director of development communications, you will be responsible for crafting compelling proposals and communications to secure transformational gifts in support of our mission. We are seeking a professional with expertise in health and science writing, to play a crucial role in advancing our fundraising efforts and driving impact in these critical areas. In addition, the executive director of development communications will lead a team of proposal writers and drive a success proposal writing program for the University Development Office.

Responsibilities

Leadership:

• Provide leadership and mentorship to the writing team by fostering a culture of service-orientation and high standards for proposal writing and support.
• Build and maintain a strong relationship with fundraising stakeholders, Chief Development Officers, and the University Marketing and Communication team..
• Oversee proposal team workflow to ensure timely completion of assignments.
• Stay current on best practices in advancement writing, particularly within the health and science philanthropy landscape.

Proposals, Stewardship, and Donor Communication:

• Lead the development of high-quality, persuasive proposals tailored to donors, with a focus on transformational gifts and health and science initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with gift officers, researchers, faculty, and program leaders to gather information and insights necessary for crafting compelling cases for support.
• Develop case statements for presidential and university-wide priorities as needed.
• Work with VP, AVPs and Donor Relations team to create personalized impact stories and other materials to recognize donors and demonstrate the impact of their contributions.
• Work closely with the VP for Development to generate written content for VP needs.
• Compose correspondence from the university president and the vice president related to development.
• Assist with donor correspondence and written content for events, boards, and meetings as needed.

Internal Communications:

• Oversee Texas Development’s internal communication strategy, including communication channels such as newsletters, int