Responsible for building, leading, and growing a dynamic and innovative major gift fundraising team by hiring, training, and providing vision and guidance for major gift fundraisers. Play a key role in shaping institutional strategy and organizational culture for the organization, work with campus partners including the deans, Provost, and Athletic Director–all of whom are energized to be actively engaged and involved and look forward to partnering with Institutional Advancement to shape their fundraising priorities and approach to donor engagement.

Work closely with the Vice President of IA to help coordinate all principal giving efforts, and play an integral role in planning and implementing UTEP’s next comprehensive fundraising campaign.

Provides strong leadership ability, upper-level administrative experience, and first-hand knowledge of the opportunities and challenges facing institutional advancement as they build and grow a best-practices major giving approach that address fundraising priorities and donor engagement.

Reviews analyses of activities, costs, operations, and forecast data to determine department or division progress toward stated goals and objectives.

Collaborates with other top management personnel in formulating and establishing policies, operating procedures, and goals.

Leadership & Program Success

• Hire an outstanding major gift team and provide onboarding, leadership, coaching, and effective supervision of the staff members in all areas of major giving including school/program-based giving, gift planning, corporate and foundation relations, and will have a close relationship with the athletics fundraising team;
• Identify funding priorities and goals for each of the constituent areas and central fundraising units;
• Instill fundraising best practices among staff, and help to communicate these best practices to the deans, department chairs, and other academic leaders;
• Work with the assigned staff members to develop business plans and annual goals, track monthly and quarterly progress by using the Weighted Metrics System, and conduct annual performance evaluations;
• Provide insight to help set the division’s annual fundraising goal, and achieve a significant increase in major gift fundraising productivity for the institution;
• Meet division-wide performance metrics and monthly/annual goals as agreed upon with the Vice President for Institutional Advancement;
• Lead staff in an aggressive program of donor identification and qualification, in order to build a substantial pool of prospective donors;
• Work with staff to help coach deans and other academic leaders in the art of developing and articulating a compelling vision for their areas of responsibility;
• Build strong relationships among the academic and administrative leadership, the faculty, and external constituents, including donors, alumni and community leaders, with the goal of increasing the visibility of UTEP for potential donors;
• Encourage and coordinate professional development opportunities for assigned staff; and
• Develop and maintain a small portfolio of high-value donor prospects.

Administrative Leadership

• Serve as an active member of the Vice President’s Executive Leadership Team;
• Work in collaboration with the Vice President for IA to manage, motivate, and steward donors to aid in meeting fundraising goals;
• Maintain a positive and appropriate relationship with volunteer partners
• Maintain a positive and collaborative relationship with UTEP Athletics, and all other university constituents;
• Ensure all data is made available to meet the data reporting needs of the Vice President for Institutional Advancement; and
• Collaborate with leaders of other Institutional Advancement areas to achieve teamwork-oriented atmosphere.

Knowledge of all Microsoft Office software and able to learn and use institutional software systems   including donor database software. UTEP currently uses Raiser’s Edge.

Complies with all State and University policies.

Other duties may be assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s objectives, policies and applicable laws.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Education required: Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred

Minimum Experience required:   

• Preferred experience:
• At least seven (7) years of supervisory or related experience required, ten (10) years preferred;
• A record of professional success, and compelling leadership skills that are collaborative and inclusive;
• The highest level of integrity, accountability, and trustworthiness;
• The ability to foster an empowered, inspired, and positive culture for staff;
• A sense of urgency and a clear set of priorities with the ability to adapt to changing circumstances;
• A creative approach to problem solving and the ability to take advantage of emerging opportunities;
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and political savvy, with the ability to navigate a complex environment and understand and relate effectively with diverse constituents;
• Demonstrated success managing a fundraising department within a comprehensive campaign;
• Experience working on a campaign that exceeded $100 million (preferred);
• Experience in leading, managing, and supervising advancement professionals who are successful fundraisers;
• Experience in initiating high-level gift and grant discussions with corporate, foundation, and individual donor prospects;
• Experience in recruiting, motivating, and supporting volunteers to build and expand the development network; A progressive track record of successes as an effective leader with expertise in personnel management, strategic planning, and program accountability; and
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate in a clear, consistent, and transparent manner to create shared goals and understanding.

EO/AA Statement

The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or sexual orientation and gender in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee’s or prospective employee’s right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972.