Required Application Materials
A single PDF or Word document containing a resume, letter of interest, and a list of the names and contact information for three (3) professional references is required to apply.
Important Instructions:
When prompted to upload your “resume”, upload your combined documents as one file.
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Please do not upload documents to “Cover Letter” or “References”.
If the required application materials were not uploaded at the “resume” prompt, please withdraw your application, and re-apply to upload your combined documents as one file.
Job Summary
The Senior Major Gift Officer is an experienced frontline fundraiser responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding high-capacity prospects capable of making six-figure philanthropic commitments in support of the university’s highest strategic priorities. This senior-level role manages a sophisticated portfolio of donors and prospects, develops customized engagement strategies, and partners closely with academic leaders, senior administration, advancement colleagues, and volunteers to secure meaningful philanthropic investments. The ideal candidate brings 8 years of progressive fundraising experience, demonstrated success closing major gifts, and the judgment, professionalism, and relationship-building ability needed to represent the university with donors at the highest levels. The ability to travel and work occasional evenings/weekends.
Major Responsibilities/Duties/Critical Tasks
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Manage a portfolio of approximately 100–150 high-capacity prospects and donors with the capacity to make gifts of $100,000 or more.
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Develop and execute sophisticated, multi-year cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for each assigned prospect.
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Secure six-figure major gifts and build a pipeline for future leadership and principal-level commitments.
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Meet or exceed ambitious annual fundraising goals, proposal targets, donor visit expectations, and portfolio movement metrics.
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Build and sustain trusted relationships with alumni, grateful patients or families, parents, friends, corporations, foundations, and other high-capacity constituents.
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Conduct frequent strategic donor visits, including in-person meetings, campus experiences, virtual conversations, and regional travel as needed.
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Engage donors through events, campus visits, and personalized communications.
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Serve as a senior, trusted liaison between donors and the university, translating institutional priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities.
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Prepare and present highly customized proposals for six-figure gifts aligned with donor interests and university priorities.
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Partner with the President, deans, faculty, senior administrators, and volunteers on high-level cultivation and solicitation strategies.
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Ensure timely, meaningful, and personalized stewardship, including impact reporting that demonstrates the outcomes of donor investment.
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Maintain ongoing donor engagement to encourage repeat and upgraded giving.
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Relationship building and emotional intelligence.
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Strategic thinking and planning.
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Persuasive communication and negotiation.
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Initiative and results orientation.
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Discretion and professionalism.
Required Education/Experience
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Bachelor’s degree.
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Eight (8) years of progressive fundraising, advancement, sales, or relationship management experience, with substantial experience in major gift fundraising strongly preferred.
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A combination of education and experience may be considered.
Accompanying Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies
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Work with prospect research teams to identify new major gift prospects.
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Qualify prospects and build a robust pipeline of six-figure gift opportunities, with attention to long-term leadership and principal gift potential.
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Track engagement, proposals, gift conversations, and movement management activity in the advancement of CRM with accuracy and timeliness.
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Collaborate across advancement functions, including annual giving, planned to give, corporate and foundation relations, donor relations, alumni engagement, and prospect research.
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Coordinate with faculty and academic leaders to align donor interests with institutional needs.
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Contribute to campaign planning, priority-setting, and execution of high-visibility fundraising initiatives.
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Maintain accurate and timely records in advancement database/CRM.
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Analyze portfolio performance and adjust strategies accordingly.
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Prepare reports, forecasts, and briefing materials for leadership.
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Senior-level experience in higher education advancement, academic medicine, health care philanthropy, or a complex nonprofit environment.
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Experience supporting comprehensive campaigns, capital initiatives, endowed funds, scholarships, faculty support, or programmatic priorities.
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Knowledge of donor management systems (e.g., Blackbaud, Salesforce).
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Demonstrated success managing a donor portfolio with measurable movement, solicitation, and close outcomes.
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Annual dollars raised, with emphasis on six-figure gift commitments.
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Number and quality of six-figure proposals submitted, solicitations advanced, and gifts closed.
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Portfolio activity, including strategic visits, qualification outcomes, proposal movement, and donor engagement.
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Pipeline growth, donor retention, upgraded giving, and movement toward leadership or principal gift opportunities.
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Proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding six-figure gifts or comparable high-level commitments.
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Exceptional interpersonal, written, verbal, presentation, and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage senior leaders and sophisticated donors.
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Demonstrated ability to manage a complex portfolio, set strategic priorities, and move prospects through a disciplined fundraising cycle.
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Sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism in handling confidential donors, prospects, and institutional information.
About The University of Texas at Tyler and UT Tyler Health Science Center
The University of Texas at Tyler is part of the prestigious University of Texas System that includes 14 institutions located throughout the state. Founded in 1971, UT Tyler today enrolls 10,000 students and consists of six colleges.
Designated an R2 research institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, UT Tyler supports our surrounding region through innovation intended to uplift communities, spearhead sustainability initiatives, preserve ecosystems and support entrepreneurship. UT Tyler has the highest Carnegie classification in East Texas.
Providing exceptional patient care, comprehensive education and innovative research, The University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas combine to serve as the university medical center for Northeast Texas and beyond.
For more information, please visit https://www.uttyler.edu/about.
Why work for UT Tyler? Find out more: Why Work for UT Tyler?
Additional Information
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code Section 51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information. Applicants selected must be able to show proof of eligibility to work in the United States by time of hire.
For more information regarding benefits offered by UT Tyler, please visit https://www.uttyler.edu/offices/human-resources/employees/benefits.
Clinical Position Requirements
Clinical positions may be required to complete a pre-employment health screening, following a contingent job offer, to determine whether they possess the physical capabilities needed to safely fulfill the specific demands of the position. Additionally, clinical positions require compliance with the University’s Vaccine Preventable Disease Policy.
EEO Statement
The University of Texas at Tyler is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
