Assistant Director

Overview

Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Development and Alumni Relations, this position is a development officer for the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology (AHT). The right candidate will work collaboratively with the Dean, Associate Deans, center directors, lab directors, faculty and staff, and other development and alumni relations staff to perform the primary tasks required to support alumni engagement, major and principal gift solicitations, and the work of the volunteer leadership.

These tasks include leadership for annual giving, alumni activities and events, donor and prospect engagement, corporate relations, and stewardship.

The selected candidate should be passionate about connecting the university with alumni, friends, and donors for the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology and several high-profile centers, such as the Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies.

They should have a passion for higher education and the arts, humanities, and technology. The top candidate should be excited to join an ambitious, collaborative, open-minded, and trust-filled environment that builds and manages philanthropic and community partnerships with alumni, friends, and donors through various activities, events, and communications platforms. They should maintain a high level of respect for all people and customer service standards that emphasize the importance of relationships.

The Assistant Director of Development should be intellectually curious and committed to continuously improving their leadership, skills, and knowledge.

Bachelor’s degree in related field and three plus years of relevant professional experience, or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Candidates should possess a bachelor’s degree and three to five years of development and/or communications expertise. Experience with alumni, donor relationships, and high-level relationships is preferred. Candidates must also possess outstanding speaking, writing, and time-management skills. The position requires occasional evening/weekend hours and some travel.

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.

Serving as a liaison between AHT alumni, friends, donors and the university, the Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Relations will:

• Work with school leadership, faculty/staff, and center/lab directors to develop and implement a fundraising strategy focused on raising leadership and annual gifts of $10,000 or more in support of the university’s mission.
• Plan and execute activities and events that engage alumni, friends, and donors (i.e., class speaking, portfolio reviews, networking, receptions, etc.).
• Build and manage a portfolio of potential/qualified alumni prospects and leadership annual gift prospects.
• Identify, steward, cultivate, and solicit a pool of individual prospects, documenting activity in the university’s management database.
• Develop and implement strategies that build relationships with alumni, friends, donors, and corporations with the capacity and interest to make philanthropic commitments.
• Design and launch communications touch points that steward alumni, friends, and donors that maintain engagement with the school.
• Travel as needed throughout North Texas and other regions where potential donors are located.
• Develop effective approaches to leadership annual gift, alumni, and major gift cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship in collaboration with university development and alumni relations.

Physical Activities

Working Conditions

Remote Work Notice: Hybrid remote work environment available and a UT Dallas Remote Work Agreement is required upon employment. Use of personal…