Executive Director of Development, Principal Gifts

Executive Director of Development, Principal Gifts

Employee Classification: Executive Dir, Development

Campus: University of North Texas

Division: UNT-Advancement

Sub Division-Department: UNT-Advancement

Department: UNT-Advancement - Gen-170000

Job Location: Denton

Salary: Commensurate with experience

FTE: 1.0

Retirement Eligibility: ORP Eligible

Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas‑Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year.

We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We transform lives and create economic opportunity through education. We champion a people‑first values‑based culture where we care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are better together because we foster an environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate courageous integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities.

We are encouraged to be curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show your fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team.

Learn more about the UNT System and how we live our values System.edu.

The Division of University Advancement strives to transform lives and unlock potential through the power of philanthropy and engagement by awakening and stewarding pride and loyalty for the University of North Texas.

Established in 1890, the University of North Texas is a place where students transform their lives through education and opportunity. With more than 46,000 students from across the state, nation, and world, UNT offers 240 academic programs—many nationally and internationally recognized. A Tier One research university and a designated Hispanic‑ and Minority‑Serving Institution, UNT has a legacy of excellence in education, music, the arts, business and social sciences, with growing strengths in science and engineering.

Last year, students earned nearly 13,000 degrees and joined UNT's network of 480,000 alumni, fueling progress and innovation.

The Principal Gift Officer will play a key role – individually and collectively – in cultivating long‑term relationships with donors who have the capacity to make transformative gifts, while leveraging the relationships and vision of university leaders to secure support for strategic university priorities and initiatives. The ED of Principal Gifts will be a seasoned and exceptional team‑oriented fundraising professional with a demonstrated successful track record in securing multi‑million‑dollar philanthropic gifts.

The individual will provide creative and visionary management and coordination of fundraising endeavors for university‑wide programs. They will convene campus partners and advise on the development of coordinated strategies aimed at maximizing the lifetime engagement and support of a portfolio of high‑net‑worth households. They will help assemble key university members together with prospects around cross‑cutting strategic funding priorities.

This role has three defining dimensions:

• The disciplined management of approximately 30‑50 relationships with consistent focus and high‑touch engagement, cultivation and stewardship that leads to successful solicitation strategies.
• The ability to work closely with academic leaders, fundraising colleagues, faculty, and volunteers to shape compelling ideas that will attract transformational gifts based on institutional initiatives and presidential priorities.
• The ability to work in tandem with colleagues on the University principal gifts team as well as with development…