Senior Director of Development & Philanthropic Strategy

Senior Director of Development & Philanthropic Strategy

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

In your cover letter, please address your experience with major gift fundraising in an academic or other nonprofit setting. Include specific examples of donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, portfolio management, fundraising outcomes, and collaboration with key stakeholders. If your experience was gained outside higher education, describe how it is relevant and transferable to this position. Please highlight your individual contributions and measurable results where possible.

Posting Number | S07187P

Position Title | Senior Director of Development & Philanthropic Strategy

Functional Title | Senior Director of Development & Philanthropic Strategy

Department | CBH

Salary Range | $150,000 to $170,000, Dependent on Qualifications

Pay Basis | Monthly

Position Status | Regular full-time

Location | Dallas

Position End Date (if temporary) |

Posting Open Date | 08/07/2026

Posting Close Date |

Open Until Filled | Yes

Desired Start Date | 09/01/2026

Job Summary | Driving visionary philanthropy to position Dallas as a global leader in brain health, resilience, and cognitive well-being. This position provides strategic leadership for a comprehensive development program driving transformational philanthropic support aligned with long-term priorities. Leads multi-year fundraising strategy and personally advances major and principal gifts. Serves as a key advisor to leadership, drives cross-institutional alignment, and cultivates high-level donor relationships while elevating visibility and building a high-performing development function positioned for sustained growth.

Bachelor’s degree with ten years of work experience in related field.

Preferred candidates will have an advanced degree and 15+ years of demonstrated success within complex, high-performing nonprofit organizations leading principal gift strategies, comprehensive campaigns, and partnerships with executive leadership and high-level volunteer boards.

To the extent this position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired and to continue to be employed in the position.

Lead and execute a comprehensive philanthropic strategy that advances Center for Brain Health’s mission, strategic priorities, and long-term growth objectives.

Secure transformational philanthropic investments by cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding principal and major gift prospects, including ultra-high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and corporate partners.

Manage a strategic portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects, developing sophisticated engagement and investment strategies aligned with organizational priorities.

Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership, providing counsel on fundraising strategy, philanthropic opportunities, donor engagement, and resource development initiatives.

Build and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, board members, community leaders, and strategic partners to expand philanthropic support and engagement.

Lead an integrated fundraising function encompassing major gifts, principal gifts, planned giving, foundation relations, corporate partnerships, and donor stewardship.

Partner with academic, research, and administrative leaders to identify funding opportunities, align philanthropic priorities, and advance institutional goals.

Represent Center for Brain Health to elevate organizational visibility, strengthen strategic partnerships, and advance its reputation among the donor community.

Leverage data, analytics, and performance metrics to inform decision-making, evaluate outcomes, and optimize fundraising effectiveness and growth.

Build, lead, and develop a high-performing development team to foster accountability, innovation, stewardship…