Senior Executive Director of Gift and Estate Planning

Hiring Department: University Development Office

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled

Hours:

40

FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA

Earliest

Start Date:

Aug 31, 2026

Position Duration: Expected to Continue

Location: AUSTIN, TX

General Notes

What starts here changes the world.

The University of Texas at Austin, founded in 1883, ranks among the best universities in the world. With 76 programs ranked in the top 10, UT Austin is the #1 public university in Texas and the #7 public university in the nation.

Like the state it calls home, The University of Texas at Austin is a bold, ambitious leader supporting more than 55,000 students, 4,750 faculty, 15,000 staff and top national programs across 18 colleges and schools. Amid the backdrop of Austin, Texas, a city recognized for its creative and entrepreneurial spirit, the University provides a place to explore countless opportunities for tomorrow’s artists, scientists, athletes, doctors, entrepreneurs and engineers.

Learn more about UT’s mission and values and leadership.

The University of Texas at Austin is a thriving hub of learning and discovery that anchors our city and enables excellence and innovation on the highest level. And it’s only possible because generous supporters believe in the power and promise of our state’s flagship university to change the world. With more than $6 billion raised in the What Starts Here campaign, Texas Development is quickly becoming one of the best fundraising programs in public higher education.

Texas Development is a dynamic community of 500+ 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.

Follow your passion, grow your career and help us change the world.

The University provides a competitive benefits package that includes insurance and retirement benefits in addition to other programs and services. Texas Development supports growth by offering professional development opportunities that help every team member accomplish their goals, enrich their skillset and deepen their engagement with UT.

Serve as the strategic leader of the Gift and Estate Planning team, setting direction and building organizational capacity for planned giving at The University of Texas vide executive-level guidance to donors, prospects, advisors, and colleagues, while driving the vision, strategy, and performance of the team responsible for securing significant charitable gifts.

• Own the strategic and operational leadership of the Gift and Estate Planning team, setting the vision and annual priorities that drive an average of $ in planned gift each year. Lead, develop, and hold accountable a leadership team of 12 direct reports, building a high-performing culture of collaboration and results.
• Manage the Gift Planning Advisory Board and its two meetings a year and continue the development of a new committee of volunteer advisors and support an increase in gifts of business interests.
• Direct the estate realization process in partnership with UT System leadership, establishing clear standards and serving as the authoritative voice on process and procedure for the broader Texas Development community.
• Lead the strategic deployment of the Gift and Estate Planning team’s footprint across colleges, schools, and units, shaping how the function scales to deliver dedicated support university-wide and integrating teams under a unified strategic approach to prospect identification, networking, and pipeline development.
• Set strategic direction for…