Director, Major Gifts

Weekly work hours: 40. FLSA status: Exempt.

About the role

Dallas College is one of the largest community college systems in Texas, committed to transforming lives and communities through higher education. With a rich history of serving the diverse population of Dallas County, the college provides accessible, affordable, and high-quality education that empowers students to achieve their academic and career goals. Dallas College has a set of core values that shape its culture and operations: integrity, respect, opportunity, collaboration, accountability, and engagement and support.

The Director of Major Gifts leads Dallas College Foundation’s major gifts program as a strategic people leader and frontline fundraiser. This role builds and manages a high-value portfolio, advances multi-year gift strategies aligned to institutional priorities, and develops Major Gift Officers to deliver measurable results. The Director partners across Dallas College, engaging academic and administrative leaders to craft compelling cases for support and exceptional donor experiences. The Director of Major Gifts will report to the Senior Director of Development. Like all Dallas College Foundation (DCF) employees, this individual is a keeper of the Dallas College Foundation culture of philanthropy.

Responsibilities

• Lead the major gifts strategy and deliver annual outcomes; serve as a frontline fundraiser managing a portfolio of 40–50 qualified prospects.
• Recruit, train, coach, and evaluate Major Gift Officers; set clear goals and ensure accountability for performance and results.
• Expand the prospect pipeline through research, relationship building, and targeted qualification meetings.
• Drive all stages of the donor cycle—discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship—aligning donor interests with Dallas College priorities.
• Craft and present compelling proposals; lead complex solicitations, including six- and seven-figure opportunities in collaboration with senior leadership.
• Coordinate high-level donor engagement with Advancement leaders and Board volunteers; prepare briefings and manage follow-up actions.
• Partner with subject-matter experts to design transformational gift opportunities and exceptional stewardship experiences.
• Contribute to annual and long-term planning for the major gifts program; implement process improvements that enhance scalability and impact.
• Ensure accurate and timely recording of all donor and prospect interactions in Raiser’s Edge; maintain data integrity across the team’s portfolios.
• Analyze financial, philanthropic, and affinity data to inform cultivation strategies and optimize solicitation outcomes.
• Uphold ethical standards and compliance with Dallas College policies and professional guidelines (CASE, AFP, APRA), ensuring integrity in all fundraising practices.
• Complete a minimum of 19 hours of leadership development; people leaders are required to complete an additional 16 hours of leadership development.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including:
  • Exercises full discretion and decision-making authority in the recruitment, selection, hiring, mentoring, coaching, development, and termination of staff, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, budgetary constraints, and workforce planning strategies.
  • Drive high performance by administering the performance management process timely, setting clear expectations, conducting performance evaluations, and implementing initiatives that enhance employee engagement, motivation, and retention.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Five (5) years of experience in fundraising.
• Strong knowledge of fundraising principles, donor continuum, and moves management best practices.
• Experience designing and executing major gift strategies and comprehensive campaigns; familiarity with annual giving, planned giving, and integrated development programs is preferred.
• Demonstrated success in managing and training individuals or teams.
• Proven track record of closing five, six, and seven-figure gifts.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and decision-making skills with the ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Ability to creatively conceptualize and implement new projects and high-level strategy.
• Valid driver’s license required to travel to various off-site locations.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed for donor engagement and events.
• Advanced general computer knowledge of Windows and network-based environments, proficiency with fundraising CRM systems (Raiser’s Edge preferred).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education or complex nonprofit environments.
• Experience with Blackbaud suite and prospect research tools.
• CFRE certification or willingness to pursue certification.
• Bilingual or multilingual preferred.

Skills

• Ability to speak, listen, and write in a clear, thorough, and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Ability to communicate and interact with high-profile constituents and volunteers.
• Ability to communicate clearly and succinctly with consideration to various audiences.
• Ability to meet or exceed metrics and goals set for the individual and the team.
• Demonstrated experience in prospect cultivation and solicitation, with proficiency in fundraising principles and best practices.
• Strong working knowledge of strategic development and management systems of the donor cycle.
• Demonstrated experience securing major, high-value gifts from potential donors.
• Expertise in developing and maintaining positive relationships with individuals, including executives, donors, and internal stakeholders and leadership.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills which demonstrate professional and personal integrity with a commitment to the mission, value, and goals of Dallas College and the Dallas College Foundation.
• Adhere to ethical and confidentiality guidelines of both Dallas College and the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA); and adhere to local, state, and federal laws governing fundraising and taxation.
• Knowledge and experience in the nature and dimensions of philanthropy, motivations for giving, research and cultivation practices, face-to-face solicitation, gifts processing, and fundraising reporting.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills with demonstrated ability to create, implement, and monitor policies and procedures.
• Excellent verbal, written communication, and presentation skills with the ability to serve as an advocate/spokesperson for Dallas College and Dallas College Foundation and successfully tailor communications dependent on audience.
• Strong and knowledgeable customer service skills.
• The ability to lead and manage a team effectively.

Pay

Salary minimum: $92,700.00 annually (Administrator Range E05).