Senior Director of Development
Job Title
Senior Director of DevelopmentAgency
Texas A&M University - Corpus ChristiDepartment
DevelopmentProposed Minimum Salary
CommensurateJob Location
Corpus Christi, TexasJob Type
StaffJob Description
TAMU-CC is a dynamic university designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) with approximately 11,000 students from 47 states and 54 foreign nations. We employ over 1,400 full-time and 2,000 part-time Islanders (including students/GAs). The University attracts highly talented faculty and staff and offers an array of undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral programs. As a member of the Texas A&M University System, TAMU-CC benefits from a range of resources, increased visibility and influence, and opportunities to collaborate in mutually beneficial ways with peers across member institutions and associated agencies.
TAMU-CC’s beautiful campus is located on a 240-acre island on Corpus Christi Bay and was ranked #1 College by the Sea by Best College Reviews. Our natural setting is enhanced by its modern, attractive, and state-of-the-art classroom buildings and support facilities.
PURPOSE
Reporting to the Executive Associate Vice President of Development, the Senior Director of Development is responsible for managing relationships and securing support from mid to major giving donors. This individual will build and manage a personal portfolio of giving prospects through proactive discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, and will work closely with the faculty and staff, both within the division and around the University, to promote the acquisition of gifts. This position will work closely with the entire Development and Institutional Advancement team to ensure coordination among individual giving programs.
DESCRIPTION
Functional Area 1: Development
Percent Effort: 55%
Proactively identify and qualify new mid to major-level giving prospects through prospect research, referrals, discovery visits, and campus partner introductions, building and continuously refreshing a robust, well-qualified personal portfolio.
Develop and manage a portfolio of alumni, friends, and community stakeholders; identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors to secure mid-level gifts of $5,000 or more, endowment support of $25,000 or more, and other philanthropic investments that advance scholarships, capital projects, and strategic University priorities.
Maintain an active pipeline that includes a defined number of discovery visits and newly qualified prospects each fiscal year, ensuring the portfolio is continually replenished as gifts close and priorities shift.
Move prospects through the stages of identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship (moves management), documenting strategy and next steps for each.
Create and present solicitation proposals for consideration according to the donor's interests, propensity to give and giving capacity.
Coordinate with the Assistant Director of Donor Engagement for an effective plan for donor recognition.
Functional Area 2: Engagement
Percent Effort: 35%
Act as a liaison between the Colleges and Institutional Advancement, helping surface new prospect leads and funding priorities that inform portfolio discovery.
Develops, coordinates, hosts, and implements special events for internal and external constituencies.
Coordinate with the Executive Director of Alumni Relations to support alumni relations events and programming.
Attend and assist at designated University and Institutional Advancement events.
Participate in key community organizations and attend key community events as determined by university priorities and departmental goals.
Functional Area 3: Administrative
Percent Effort: 10%
Record and document in a timely and accurate manner contacts with donors and prospective donors, including discovery visit outcomes and portfolio strategy notes.
Maintain confidentiality of donor records.
Perform all other duties assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Level III
Bachelor's Degree in an applicable field.
Four (4) years of related experience in fundraising, alumni relations, or a related relationship management field.
Additional education may be considered as a substitute for the minimum experience requirements:
Master’s degree in applicable field and two (2) years of experience in fundraising, alumni relations, or a related relationship management field.
Doctorate degree in applicable field.
Level IV
Bachelor's Degree in an applicable field.
Five (5) years of related experience in fundraising, alumni relations, or a related relationship management field.
Additional education may be considered as a substitute for the minimum experience requirements:
Master’s degree in applicable field and three (3) years of experience in fundraising, alumni relations, or a related relationship management field.
Doctorate degree in applicable field and one (1) years of experience in fundraising, alumni relations, or a related relationship management field.
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Demonstrated ability to conduct proactive prospect discovery and research to build and sustain a qualified donor portfolio.
Ability to relate well to coworkers, peers, and leadership across Institutional Advancement and the University as a whole
Ability to demonstrate initiative and manage details within the broader vision of the University.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships with donors, prospective donors, and campus partners at all levels
Positive, collaborative, and service-oriented attitude
Ability to travel on a regular basis to include some night and weekend hours.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Master's degree in a related field.
Six to eight (6-8) years' experience in alumni relations, development, individual major gift fundraising, or event management.
CFRE or other relevant fundraising credential
Experience working in higher education.
Experience at a university or comparable complex nonprofit
Raiser's Edge experience
Passionate about higher education
This position is primarily office-based with standard business hours. Some evening and weekend availability may be required to support donor events and campaign activities. The role requires the ability to sit for extended periods, operate standard office equipment, and occasionally lift materials up to 25 pounds for event setup.
SALARY: $68,000 - $76,528.08/annually, approximately
$5,666.67 - $6,377.34/monthly
NOTE: Employment may be impacted by the Presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025 and the moratorium issued by Texas Governor Abbott on January 27, 2026.
BENEFITS (rules, policies, eligibility apply)
From our generous benefits package and professional development opportunities, to our retirement programs and our commitment to service excellence, the Island University is an engaging and rewarding place to work.
Medical
$0 - $30 per month for Employee Only coverage after university contribution ($920 value).
Up to 83% of premium covered by the university:
Employee and Spouse
Employee and Children
Employee and Family coverage
Dental & Vision
Life Insurance, Accidental D&D, Long Term Disability, Flexible Spending Account and Day Care Spending Account
On-campus wellness opportunities
Counseling, Work Life Assistance, Financial Resources, and Legal Resources
Public Loan Forgiveness
Book scholarships
100% tuition coverage for up to 18 credit hours per fiscal year (other rules may apply).
Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) or Optional Retirement Plan (ORP)
Voluntary Tax Deferred Account/Deferred Compensation Plan
8+ hours of vacation paid time off every month.
8 hours of sick leave time off every month.
8 hours of paid time off for Birthday leave.
12-15 paid holidays each year.
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.
Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.