Director of International Advancement - Middle East (Austin)

Job Posting Title :

Director of International Advancement - Middle East

Hiring Department :

University Development Office

Position Open To : All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours :

40

FLSA Status : Exempt

Earliest Start Date :

Oct 01, 2025

Position Duration : Expected to Continue

Location : AUSTIN, TX

Job Details : General Notes

About The University of Texas at Austin

What starts here changes the world.

The University of Texas at Austin, founded in 1883, ranks among the 40 best universities in the world with top national programs across 19 colleges and schools. By creating educational opportunities for all and leading cutting-edge research at scale, the University fosters positive social change, technological advancement, and economic progress showing the world that change really does start here.

Following our 10-year strategic plan, UT will become the world's highest-impact public research university, unleashing knowledge, opportunity and innovation from the heart of Texas.

Learn more about UT's mission and values, leadership and Change Starts Here strategic plan.

Why Join Texas Development?

The University of Texas at Austin is on the front lines of the future : sparking the imagination, driving discovery and transforming lives. And it's only possible because generous supporters believe in the power and promise of our state's flagship university to change the world.

Together, through one of the largest fundraising efforts in our state's history, we will support our people, amplify the unmatched potential of our place, and lead innovation through world-changing pursuits. With nearly $5 billion raised over the past six years, Texas Development is quickly becoming one of the best fundraising programs in higher education.

Texas Development is a dynamic community of more than 450 fundraising professionals across the Forty Acres. We strive to reach the highest levels of achievement and success in all that we do by creating meaningful and powerful experiences for our donors.

Join us and change the world.

Benefits

The University provides a competitive benefits package that includes insurance and retirement benefits in addition to other programs and services.

Texas Development supports growth by offering professional development opportunities that help every team member accomplish their goals, enrich their skillset and deepen their engagement with UT.

Purpose

Charged with guiding, and implementing advancement activities for high-potential constituencies, to drive the engagement, and fundraising strategy of the University of Texas at Austin in the Middle East, primarily Saudi Arabia and the Emirates.

Responsible to identify, cultivate, and engage high-profile, high capacity individual philanthropic prospects in the region. Develop and implement plans for curated engagement of prospects and solicit and raise philanthropic support focusing on major and principal gift donors. This position reports to a Senior Director of Advancement and partners closely with academic and unit teams across the University.

Responsibilities

Alumni and Donor Engagement

Travel to the assigned regions 3-4 times per fiscal year.

Identify opportunities for selected alumni to maintain strong connections and encourage their involvement, advocacy, investment, and impact in university activities.

Represent the university in engagement opportunities that will elevate its branding in the region and will advance philanthropic opportunities.

Strengthen the volunteer leadership pipeline for members from or advocating for the region of coverage in advisory councils / boards.

Collect and share regional intelligence gathering, trend analysis, and strategic planning tailored to region of coverage.

Lead at least one meaningful high-level event with top constituents in the region and support university-wide programming when needed.

Fundraising and Stewardship

Build and carry an active portfolio of 40-80 prospective donors.

Engage in qualification, strategy development, relationship building and closing of major gift(s) at $100,000+ for The University of Texas at Austin.

Within 24 months of start date, consistently produce $2,000,000-$5,000,000 per year.

Participate in goal setting, proposal preparation, strategy development, and stewardship as required for donors in the portfolio.

Successfully and consistently deliver funding proposals to prospective and current donors.

Maintain appropriate electronic documentation on a timely basis, including engagement activities, proposal tracking, contact reports, donor strategies, and forecasting in VIP.

Record timely reports, letters, proposals, or gift agreements following a donor contact.

Corporate and Industry Relations

Collaborate with supervisor of Corporate and Industry Relations teams to leverage and redirect strategic partnerships with international corporations that may result from the regional work and can provide sponsorship and funding for university research or programs, connections for faculty, experiential learning of jobs for students, or philanthropy.

Campus Partnerships

In coordination with the international advancement leaders, redirect alumni / prospects with Texas Global for topics related to the nurturing of academic partnerships with foreign universities, research institutions, etc. that arise from the advancement work.

In coordination with the international advancement leader, support connections with TexasExes, the alumni association, to maximize opportunities for engagement and impact through their initiatives.

Effectively work with, communicate with, and collaborate with faculty, academic leaders, and other development staff to develop campus-wide engagement and funding opportunities and reach goals.

Work collaboratively, proactively, and in a professional, service-oriented manner with all University development officers to further the development goals of the University.

Ensure the international advancement efforts in the region align seamlessly with the team's overall strategy.

Serve as a regional expert and advisor to international advancement on philanthropic opportunities and risks in the region of coverage.

Other Duties as Assigned

Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree.

Demonstrated ability to execute sophisticated engagement programming and successful full-cycle donor strategy.

High degree of emotional intelligence.

Demonstrated ability to show tenacity and be nimble.

Ability to drive results.

Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.

Ability to think strategically and creatively and work well under pressure.

Project management skills.

Ability to travel frequently to visit prospects and donors.

Ability to use discretion and maintain integrity and professionalism.

Proven experiences demonstrating cultural competency.

Comfort working across time zones and cultures.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Regional Expertise and Cultural Fluency.

Arabic language skills or experience working with Arabic-speaking stakeholders is a strong asset.

Familiarity with philanthropic customs, donor expectations, and cultural protocols.

Experience developing and executing strategic plans for international advancement, including prospect research, pipeline development, and cross-functional collaboration with alumni relations, communications, and institutional donor relations.

Salary Range

$120,000+ depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

Works in standard office conditions, in a shared office environment, with repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

Some evening and weekend hours may be required during peak periods and special events.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work for any employer in the United States. This position is not eligible for sponsorship of work visas.

This position has a preference for candidates based in or near Austin, Texas. However, we welcome remote applicants basedwho have convenient access to major airports, enabling regular travel to key regions relevant to the role.

Required Qualifications

Applications must include :

Resume / CV

Letter of interest

Three work references with contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers : You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions se