UT Austin

Assistant Director for Development, Major Gifts, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER Full time

Job Posting Title:

Assistant Director for Development, Major Gifts, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

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Hiring Department:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

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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:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER

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Job Details:

Organization Description 

The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is committed to inspiring the conservation of native plants through its garden, education, research and outreach programs. Founded by Lady Bird Johnson and Helen Hayes in 1982, the Wildflower Center is the state botanic garden of Texas, a treasured Austin gem, and a national leader in the field of native plant education, sustainable landscapes, land restoration and research. It is home to the largest living collection of Texas native plants in the state, welcomes over 276,000 visitors annually, has over 17,000 members and reaches more than 2 million people per year through its website and plant database. The Center is focused on improving landscapes, promoting biodiversity, and connecting people with our environment.

 

Benefits-eligible Wildflower Center staff members enjoy the robust health, vacation, and retirement benefits of The University of Texas at Austin employees. Wildflower Center staff also get free parking and annual membership, discounts on Center classes, access to Wildflower Center featured events, and discounts at the Gift Store and Wildflower Café.  

 

Purpose 

The Assistant Director of Development, Major Gifts, plays a pivotal role in advancing the Wildflower Center’s mission by securing significant philanthropic support. Reporting to the Director of Development this position focuses on identifying, cultivating, and soliciting donors with the capacity to give $100,000 or more with an emphasis on gifts of $25,000 or above. The role includes building relationships in major Texas metropolitan areas and key out-of-state markets with new prospects and existing donors. 

 

 Responsibilities 

Major Gift Fundraising

  • Maintain a deep understanding of the Wildflower Center’s mission, vision and strategic plan.  

  • Build and carry an active portfolio of 50-100 prospective donors. 

  • Engage in qualification, strategy, development, relationship building, and closing of major gifts at $100,000+ for the Wildflower Center’s annual fund. 

  • Lead fundraising efforts for ongoing and new special events and exhibitions including our summer exhibition campaign of $250,000 per year. 

  • Prepare and deliver compelling funding proposals to prospective and current donors. 

 

Strategic Planning & Stewardship

  • Collaborate on goal setting, proposal preparation, strategy development, and stewardship strategies for donors in the portfolio.  

 

Collaboration & Communication

  • Partner with organizational leaders and development colleagues to create organization-wide funding opportunities aligned with campaign goals.  

 

Data Management & Reporting

  • Utilize CRM systems (e.g. VIP, Raiser’s Edge, etc.) and prospecting tools to maintain accurate records of donor engagement, proposals, contact reports, donor strategies, and forecasting.  

  • Prepare timely reports, letters, proposals, and gift agreements following donor contact.  

 

Teamwork & Event Support

  • Work collaboratively, proactively, and in a professional, service-oriented manner with all University Development Officers to further the development goals of the organization.  

  • Support donor-centric and organization-wide events, including but not limited to seasonal exhibitions and special events. 

 

Required Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor's degree.  
  • A minimum of 2 years of experience in major gifts fundraising or related fields.  
  • Demonstrated ability to execute a successful full-cycle donor strategy and moves management. 
  • Experience with capital campaigns, corporate philanthropy, planned gifts, and endowment gifts. 
  • Strong emotional intelligence, resilience, and adaptability. 
  • Ability to drive results.  
  • Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.  
  • Ability to think strategically and creatively and work well under pressure.  
  • Strong project management skills. 
  • Ability to working independently while engaging in collaboration between teams.  
  • Proficiency with CRM systems (e.g. VIP, Raiser’s Edge) and prospecting tools.  
  • Ability to travel frequently to visit prospects and donors.  
  • High level of discretion, integrity, and professionalism.  
  • Possess a personal vehicle to be used for business as needed. 

 

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate 

 

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification 

  • Master’s degree 

  • More than the required years of major gifts fundraising experience. 

  • Experience in and passion for working at a nonprofit organization with a conservation, nature education, or environmental mission. 

 

Driving Required 

This job requires a class “C” operator’s driver’s license. The applicant selected must provide a current three-year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver’s license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident. Employees who are required to have a CDL are subject to drug and alcohol testing (pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, random, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing). 

 

Salary Range 

$70,000 + depending on qualifications 

 

Work Conditions 

  • Typical office environment with occasional outdoor work for events in all sorts of weather as most events take place in a garden setting. 

  • Must be able to travel frequently, overnight and weekends as necessary. 

  • Must be legally authorized to work for an employer in the United States. This position is not eligible for sponsorship work visas. 

  • This is an Austin, Texas-based position.  

 

Work Shift 

  • Monday through Friday, flexible schedule within 7:30am to 5:30pm, subject to supervisor approval. Flexible time available when needed when traveling for business.

  • Occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays availability may be required for mission-related events. 

 

Required Materials 

  • Resume/CV 

  • 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor 

  • Letter of interest 

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

 

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

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.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.