Description
Under the leadership of President Prabhas V. Moghe, The University of Texas at Dallas, one of the nation’s fastest-rising research powerhouses, invites a visionary, globally minded Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations to join the University at a moment of bold transformation and reimagined possibilities.
UT Dallas stands at the threshold of its next era of growth: expanding its impact, deepening its community roots, and redefining what a 21st-century public research university can achieve. The next Vice President will lead this charge by cultivating a vibrant culture of philanthropy, elevating alumni engagement to new heights, and positioning UT Dallas as both an anchor for North Texas and a catalyst for global innovation.
Inspired by President Moghe’s forward-looking vision—to harness research, partnerships, and education that change lives and drive the economy of the Dallas Metroplex—the Vice President will wield philanthropy as a force multiplier for progress. This leader will oversee the successful culmination of the current campaign while charting the course for the next ambitious fundraising strategy that brings the University’s long-term aspirations to life.
At UT Dallas, where technology, science, business and the arts converge, creativity thrives and collaboration sparks discovery. The next Vice President will embody this spirit of innovation, engaging donors and partners who share the University’s passion for pushing boundaries and tackling society’s grandest challenges.
UT Dallas has achieved remarkable progress in a relatively short time, energized by innovation, academic excellence, and a commitment to serving the region. A young and agile institution with deep roots in industry, UT Dallas stands apart by sparking creativity, discovery, and impact. The institution has a growing endowment exceeding $900 million, steady $60 million annual fundraising base, and an alumni network of more than 150,000 Comets – two-thirds living and working in North Texas and many more in global communities abroad. Against this backdrop, UT Dallas’ philanthropic potential continues to accelerate, powered by a rising sense of pride and identity among students, alumni, and the greater Dallas community.
Reporting directly to the President, the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations (Vice President) will serve as the University’s chief advancement officer, principal giving officer, and key member of the senior leadership team. The Vice President will lead an advancement enterprise encompassing Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Development Communications, Development Services, Major and Principal Gifts, and University Events. Leveraging current momentum, the Vice President will successfully complete late stages of the University's campaign, while architecting the strategy, structure, and momentum that will define UT Dallas’ advancement trajectory for the decade ahead.
As a close strategic partner to President Moghe, the Vice President will also play a key role in supporting the President’s engagement with donors, alumni, and community leaders, ensuring that every interaction, event, and follow-up reflects precision, care, and gratitude, and that presidential time is maximized for high-impact relationships.
The Vice President will oversee a 100-person advancement team that is steady, loyal, and mission driven, recognized for its willing spirit, creativity, and sense of camaraderie. This leader will be charged with lifting the organization to new levels of success, fostering professional growth, scaling capacity, and building new capabilities across engagement, events, fundraising, and operations, all while raising a culture where heart and accountability coexist and where performance thrives within a healthy, values-driven organization.
The Vice President will have a chance to build on UT Dallas’ demonstrated record of transformational giving—from cornerstone multimillion-dollar investments by the region’s most generous philanthropists to strong participation across all giving levels—by expanding engagement and deepening donor relationships at every stage of the pipeline.
Select Responsibilities
Oversee the successful close of UT Dallas’ current comprehensive campaign, ensuring strong donor engagement, stewardship, and a meaningful celebration of its achievements.
Lead the planning and execution of the University’s next comprehensive advancement strategy, aligning philanthropic goals with institutional priorities.
Establish clear goals, priorities, and timelines that align with the President’s vision and the University’s long-term strategic plan.
Partner closely with the President, advancement team, academic leadership, and volunteer partners to craft and communicate a compelling case for support that inspires transformational giving and sustained engagement.
Steward, leverage and amplify the time and talents of the President, who is deeply engaged as the University’s chief storyteller and fundraiser, ensuring every interaction reflects precision, care, and follow-through.
Personally manage a portfolio of major and principal donors, funders, and prospects, fostering meaningful relationships that drive philanthropic investment.
Reimagine alumni engagement, particularly within the University’s robust and locally concentrated alumni base in Dallas.
Create a global alumni engagement strategy that prioritizes regions with large alumni populations and builds pride, affinity, community, and connection through regional programming, digital engagement, and strategic presidential outreach.
Assess organizational capacity and design a scalable team structure, aligning resources to the University’s evolving advancement priorities.
Select Qualifications
Record of significant accomplishment in higher education advancement, with demonstrated success leading major and principal gift programs, campaigns, and alumni engagement strategies.
Personal success in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding principal-level gifts. Exceptional leadership and management experience, with a proven ability to motivate and empower teams, set clear goals, and deliver results through collaboration, transparency, and accountability.
Demonstrated success in evaluating philanthropic programs, identifying opportunities for growth, and elevating performance across key metrics and teams.
Proven capacity to build, scale, and resource advancement teams to meet expanding institutional ambitions.
Experience cultivating and partnering with institutional and corporate funders, with the ability to align philanthropic, research, and workforce goals in support of University priorities.
Deep understanding of campaign strategy, donor cultivation, and volunteer leadership within complex organizations.
Outstanding communication and relationship-building skills; able to convey the mission and impact of UT Dallas with genuineness and inspiration.
High energy, intellectual curiosity, and the confidence to engage with bold ideas and ambitious leaders; an inspiring communicator who brings momentum and clarity to every interaction.
About UT Dallas
Created in 1961 by the founders of Texas Instruments and incorporated into The University of Texas System in 1969, The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) is now the top-ranked public university in the North Texas region. It ranks third in the state overall, according to U.S. News & World Report. It is among the fastest-growing public universities in the U.S., driven by forward-thinking academic programs, a collaborative and innovative culture, and strategic investments that have positioned it as a destination institution and an emerging global center for the arts.
One of the top comprehensive public research universities in Texas and the nation, and designated as a Carnegie R1 institution for "very high research activity," UT Dallas offers a diverse selection of 160 academic programs across seven schools. Known for its strong emphasis on STEM disciplines intertwined with arts and humanities, UT Dallas is also home to a highly ranked business school.
The University's dynamic 645-acre campus is in Richardson, Texas, less than 17 miles from downtown Dallas. UT Dallas' growth and momentum includes more than 2 million square feet of new construction in the last eight years. UT Dallas’ enrollment of almost 30,000 students includes international students from over 110 countries. The campus boasts a vibrant and growing residential community, with 8,000 students living on or near campus. UT Dallas has a loyal alumni base of over 150,000, with the majority staying within the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Application Details
Pearl Street Collective, the search firm with purpose, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. To apply or view full position description, visit https://www.pearlstreetcollective.com/positions/utd-vpdar.
