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About Us - Values Overview
Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and University of North Texas Health Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year.
We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities. We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team.
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Department Summary
The Division of University Advancement strives to transform lives and unlock potential through the power of philanthropy and engagement by awakening and stewarding pride and loyalty for the University of North Texas.
Established in 1890, the University of North Texas is a place where students transform their lives through education and opportunity. With more than 46,000 students from across the state, nation, and world, UNT offers 240 academic programs — many nationally and internationally recognized. A Tier One research university and designated a Hispanic- and Minority-Serving Institution, UNT has a legacy of excellence in education, music, the arts, business and social sciences, with growing strengths in science and engineering. Last year, students earned nearly 13,000 degrees and joined UNT's network of 480,000 alumni, fueling progress and innovation.
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Position Overview
The Senior Director of Development, Kuehne Speaker Series serves as the lead administrator, strategist, and senior steward for the University of North Texas’s Kuehne Speaker Series (KSS), a high visibility, multi city, donor engaged signature program. The Senior Director is responsible for the strategic direction, program cohesion, sponsorship fundraising strategy, and stakeholder alignment of the Series.
The Senior Director functions as the Division’s sponsorship fundraising subject matter expert, with primary responsibility for designing and executing sponsorship strategies related to the KSS and advising Advancement leadership on sponsorship approaches for other major initiatives when appropriate. Fundraising responsibilities for this position are focused on sponsorship acquisition and renewal for the Kuehne Speaker Series, rather than management of a traditional major or principal gift portfolio.
The Senior Director works in close partnership with:
* The Executive Director of Development for Principal Gifts, who leads high level donor strategy and solicitation related to KSS Board members/life members and their constituent networks;
* Division wide shared services—including the Events Team, Director of Division Budget & Operations, Gift Administration, Donor Relations, and Advancement Communications—to ensure alignment between strategy, execution, financial stewardship, and donor experience.
The Senior Director is expected to act as a unifying program leader and ambassador for the Kuehne Speaker Series; is accountable for integrating program strategy, sponsorship revenue, and stakeholder experience while leveraging a shared services model for execution and operations.
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Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree and seven years of professional experience in fundraising, donor relations, public relations, or sales; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
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Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
* Extensive knowledge of philanthropy and fundraising principles.
* Demonstrated experience in establishing and maintaining effective professional relationships with internal and external constituents.
* Ability to plan, organize, develop and execute strategies.
* Ability to attend numerous off site events and meetings and travel and work evenings and weekends as necessary.
* Ability to establish and maintain cordial, productive, and professional working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
* Exceptional communications skills.
* Ability to master University policies and procedures and apply these in specific situations.
* Ability to exercise resourcefulness and good judgment.
* Ability to manage multiple streams of work.
* Demonstrated excellent analytical skills, problem solving ability and strong critical thinking skills.
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Preferred Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess the following additional qualifications:
* Experience managing or administering a signature event series or donor facing program.
* Proven success in sponsorship based fundraising models.
* Experience working within higher education advancement or similarly complex nonprofit environments.
* Strong executive presence and ability to influence without direct authority.
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Required License/Registration/Certifications
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Job Duties
- Kuehne Speaker Series Program Leadership
* Serve as the chief program administrator for the Kuehne Speaker Series, providing year round leadership for program vision, annual planning, calendaring, and long term growth.
* Ensure alignment between program intent, speaker selection, sponsor expectations, donor engagement goals, and institutional priorities.
* Provide strategic oversight for KSS activations in the region, ensuring consistency while allowing for regional nuance.
* Coordinate closely with the Advancement Events Team, which is responsible for event planning, logistics, and on site execution, while maintaining final programmatic accountability for event quality, sponsor experience, and alignment with KSS objectives.
* Lead cross divisional coordination among Events, Advancement Communications, Donor Relations, Principal Gifts, and Advancement leadership to maintain a cohesive, high quality program experience.
- Sponsorship Fundraising Strategy & Execution
* Own and execute the sponsorship fundraising strategy for the Kuehne Speaker Series, including: - Development of sponsorship menus, pricing, and benefit structures; - Cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of corporate and organizational sponsors specific to KSS; - Multi year sponsorship planning and renewal strategies.
* Serve as the Division’s subject matter expert on sponsorship based fundraising, advising colleagues on sponsorship strategy and structure for other signature initiatives when needed (without holding a general corporate portfolio).
* Collaborate with the Executive Director of Development for Principal Gifts, who leads major and principal gift engagement related to KSS Board members/ life members and high net worth constituents, ensuring coordinated donor strategies and unified messaging.
* Oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of KSS sponsorships, ensuring alignment between solicitation, agreement terms, payment, compliance, recognition delivery, and post-event reporting in coordination with Advancement support areas.
- Board & Stakeholder Engagement
* Partner with Advancement leadership and major/principal gift teams to support engagement strategies for KSS Board members and key stakeholders.
* Prepare briefings, talking points, sponsorship reports, and impact materials to support Board engagement and leadership participation.
* Serve as the primary administrative and programmatic liaison for the Board, ensuring consistent communication and alignment between Board expectations, program strategy, and institutional priorities.
- Program Operations, Financial Coordination & Stewardship
* Work with the Advancement Events team and Director of Division Budget to track KSS operating funds, sponsorship revenue, and program expenditures.
* Coordinate with Gift Administration on sponsorship invoicing, payment tracking, and compliance with gift and sponsorship policies.
* Partner with Donor Relations to ensure timely and appropriate sponsor recognition, acknowledgment, and benefit fulfillment.
* Maintain accurate CRM documentation related to KSS sponsors and stakeholders.
- Supervision & Shared Resource Coordination
* Provide functional oversight of sponsorship related coordination support (currently a part time Development Coordinator) and collaborate with leadership on the potential use of a Program or Project Coordinator to support KSS logistics, communications, and scheduling.
* Leverage shared division resources rather than duplicating operational functions within the role.
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Physical Requirements
Communicating with others to exchange information.
Lifting and Moving objects up to 20 pounds.
Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.
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Environmental Hazards
No adverse environmental conditions expected.
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Work Schedule
Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm with occasional evenings and weekends for donor engagement and event responsibilities. Flexible and hybrid work schedules to be discussed with supervisor.
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Driving University Vehicle
Yes
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Security Sensitive
This is a Security Sensitive Position.
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Special Instructions
Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted.
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Benefits
For information regarding our Benefits, click here.
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EEO Statement
The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.
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