Senior Director of Development

General Notes

The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is committed to inspiring the conservation and cultivation of native plants through its gardens and programs. 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, gardening, sustainable landscapes, land restoration, plant conservation and research.

It is home to the largest living collection of Texas native plants, welcomes 300,000 visitors annually, has over 18,000 member households and reaches more than 2 million people per year through its popular native plant database. The Center envisions thriving, native plant landscapes everywhere that nurture wildlife, uplift communities, and ensure ecological resilience for generations.

Senior Director of Development

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

All Applicants

40

Exempt from FLSA

Immediately

Expected to Continue

JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER

The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is committed to inspiring the conservation and cultivation of native plants through its gardens and programs. 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, gardening, sustainable landscapes, land restoration, plant conservation and research.

It is home to the largest living collection of Texas native plants, welcomes 300,000 visitors annually, has over 18,000 member households and reaches more than 2 million people per year through its popular native plant database. The Center envisions thriving, native plant landscapes everywhere that nurture wildlife, uplift communities, and ensure ecological resilience for generations.

The Senior Director of Development serves as the chief fundraising officer for the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and is responsible for the strategic direction, management, and execution of a comprehensive development program in alignment with the Wildflower Center’s advancement priorities. This position plays a key leadership role in the planning and execution of a major capital campaign, with responsibility for securing significant philanthropic support through major and principal gifts.

• Provide strategic leadership for the Wildflower Center’s comprehensive development program, including major gifts, principal gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, and planned giving.
• Lead the execution of a capital campaign, including campaign strategy, case development, prospect identification, and volunteer leadership engagement.
• Manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects; personally cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts at the $1M+ level.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate development staff, establishing performance expectations and fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture.
• Work closely with advisory council members, campaign volunteers, and university advancement leadership to strengthen philanthropic engagement and expand the donor pipeline.
• Collaborate with Wildflower Center team members to develop compelling funding opportunities and case statements aligned with strategic initiatives and capital priorities.
• Ensure accurate tracking, reporting, and forecasting of fundraising activity using university and Wildflower Center systems; monitor and report progress toward annual and campaign goals.
• Represent the Wildflower Center in university-wide advancement initiatives and external stakeholder engagements.
• Other responsibilities/functions as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree and significant experience in frontline fundraising, preferably in a higher education or complex nonprofit environment.
• Demonstrated success in securing major and principal gifts, including multiple commitments at or above the $1M level.
• Proven experience leading or playing a senior role in a capital campaign, including strategy, donor engagement, and gift closure.
• Demonstrate…