UT Health Austin
Senior Associate Vice President & Chief Development Officer
UT Health Austin, Austin, Texas, us, 78716
Senior Associate Vice President & Chief Development Officer
To help realize the bold vision of UT Medicine, the inaugural Senior Associate Vice President and Chief Development Officer (SAVP/CDO) will lead a next-generation philanthropic enterprise supporting Dell Medical School and UT Medicine. Reporting to Dr. Claudia Lucchinetti, Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean of Dell Medical School, the VP/CDO will serve as a core member of her senior leadership team and shape the development strategy for UT Medicine. At the heart of this opportunity is a bold and urgent challenge: to generate $500M in philanthropic support as Phase I of a historic, multi-billion-dollar campaign to construct and sustain the UT Austin Medical Center (UTMC) by 2030 and beyond. This is a transformational opportunity for a strategic, innovative, and mission-driven fundraising leader to join UT Medicine at a defining moment in its growthfrom an ambitious medical school to an integrated academic medical system that will redefine healthcare delivery, research, and education in Austin, Central Texas and beyond. The Senior Associate Vice President and Chief Development Officer (SAVP/CDO) will have a rare, career-defining opportunity to build and lead a world-class advancement program that reflects UT Medicine's values, fuels its mission, and inspires transformational investment. With a new tertiary hospital under construction and UT Medicine taking shape, the SAVP/CDO will design and drive a comprehensive philanthropic strategy to advance clinical care, research, and education, positioning Dell Medical School and UT Medicine as national leaders in academic medicine. This leader will scale and modernize the development operation into a high-performing, data-driven program. From launching a robust grateful patient strategy to forging cross-campus partnerships and unlocking interdisciplinary philanthropy, the SAVP/CDO will bring bold vision, fundraising expertise, and a collaborative spirit to this dynamic environment. Success will require building strong relationships with clinical and academic leaders, earning trust with physicians and researchers, and turning their work into compelling philanthropic opportunities that inspire donors. At a university with over half a million living alumni and growing national prominence, the S/CDO will align strategies with Texas Development and campus partners while prioritizing a robust grateful patient pipeline to diversify and expand transformational giving. The ideal candidate will have at least 12 years of leadership experience in complex development environments, with a track record of success in healthcare and academic medicine fundraising. They will be a strategic architect and trusted advisoragile, forward-thinking, and ready to galvanize a growing philanthropic community in support of one of Texas's most important healthcare initiatives. The SAVP/CDO will help write the next chapter of UT Medicine, creating a culture of philanthropy that fuels its impact for decades to come. Key Responsibilities Build a Scalable, Strategic, and Sustainable Development Enterprise Serve as the architect of a fully integrated advancement operation aligned with the institutional goals of UT Medicine and the immediate fundraising priorities of the capital medical center campaign. Craft a compelling and unifying case for supportone that connects the mission of UT Medicine with community needs and national impact, galvanizing philanthropic support from the Central Texas region and beyond. Deepen relationships with existing donors and launch strategic efforts to grow a robust pipeline of principal and transformational gift prospects. Assess and refine internal structures, systems, and workflows to ensure efficiency, transparency, and long-term sustainability, supported by data analytics, clear goals, and measurable outcomes. Strategic Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to the Dean, guiding her philanthropic engagement and helping position UT Medicine as a top national priority among prospective donors and institutional stakeholders. Actively engage faculty, clinical, and administrative leaders as ambassadors for philanthropyequipping them with tools, messaging, and confidence to inspire support for their departments, programs, and patients. Play a key leadership role on both the Dean's and Vice President for Development's senior teams, aligning fundraising strategy with broader institutional goals and ensuring UT Medicine is fully represented in university-wide development planning. Lead a high-performing, donor-centric fundraising operation that drives results across the full giving spectrum, with an emphasis on grateful patient philanthropy, principal and transformational gifts, and programmatic investments. Personally manage and steward a portfolio of transformational gift prospects, serving as a lead strategist and ambassador for UT Medicine. Design and deliver a best-in-class donor experienceblending personalized stewardship, cutting-edge digital engagement, and thoughtful recognition strategies that reflect the institution's values and ambitions. Build strong internal collaboration between fundraising, communications, and marketing teams to tell powerful stories of impact and opportunity. Team Development & Organizational Culture Inspire and lead a growing team of fundraising professionals, cultivating a high-performance culture grounded in purpose, trust, innovation, and inclusion. Recruit and retain top-tier talent while building a clear organizational structure that supports professional development and operational excellence. Establish and track key performance indicators, creating an environment that celebrates achievement while supporting creativity and thoughtful risk-taking. Promote a work culture that values authenticity, collaboration, and shared purposewhere every team member understands their role in advancing one of the most important academic medical initiatives in the country. Reporting Relationships The SAVP/CDO reports directly to the Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean of Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin and serves as a key member of her senior leadership team. The SAVP/CDO also maintains dotted-line reporting relationships to the Chief Administrative Officer for Dell Medical School & UT Medicine and the University's Vice President for Development, aligning fundraising strategy and operations across UT Medicine and Texas Development. Significant Working Relationships: Dell Medical School academic, research, and clinical leadership UT Austin President's Office and Executive Leadership Vice President for Development and Texas Development senior leadership team Department chairs, faculty, and physician leaders across UT Medicine University of Texas System leadership Clinical partners and affiliates, and future UT Medicine collaborators Philanthropic advisory councils, volunteer leaders, and high-net-worth donors Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Deep institutional appreciation and the ability to effectively articulate the mission, excellence, and strategic relevance of UT Austin, Dell Medical School and UT Medicine to a broad audience. A demonstrated ability to scale an emerging development program, growing revenue, building infrastructure, and creating a high-performance culture. Political savvy and the ability to collaborate seamlessly with senior academic, clinical, and administrative leadership, leveraging their time and voice to maximize philanthropic potential. A persuasive and compelling communicator, with the capacity to translate complex scientific and clinical concepts into accessible narratives for donors and stakeholders. A transparent, approachable, and empowering leadership style, with a strong track record of recruiting, mentoring, and retaining exceptional talent. Decisive, entrepreneurial, and comfortable leading through ambiguity; able to balance long-term vision with immediate goals and opportunities. Deep knowledge of grateful patient fundraising, donor privacy and compliance (e.g., HIPAA), and the unique dynamics of development in academic medicine. Familiarity with emerging technologies and data platformssuch as AI, analytics, and machine learningto inform strategy and optimize fundraising outcomes. Financially astute, with a strong sense of operational efficiency and a commitment to maximizing the impact of resources. Qualifications The ideal SAVP/CDO is a strategic, values-driven fundraising leader with a proven track record of building and leading high-performing advancement teams in complex, mission-driven environments, ideally in healthcare, academic medicine, or higher education. They bring deep expertise in development, best practices and a history of elevating fundraising operations through innovation, collaboration, and disciplined execution. This leader will have significant experience advising executive leadership and contributing to institutional strategy. They will excel at building relationships across a highly matrixed university and medical system, forging strong alliances with academic, clinical, research, and advancement partners. Passionate about UT Austin's mission and the transformative potential of Dell Medical School and UT Medicine, the VP/CDO will be a compelling storyteller who can communicate a powerful philanthropic vision that inspires donors, faculty, and community. A creative problem-solver and data-informed decision-maker, they will foster an inclusive, empowering culture with a focus on long-term sustainability and measurable impact. Education & Experience Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred. Expertise in donor strategy, campaign planning, pipeline
To help realize the bold vision of UT Medicine, the inaugural Senior Associate Vice President and Chief Development Officer (SAVP/CDO) will lead a next-generation philanthropic enterprise supporting Dell Medical School and UT Medicine. Reporting to Dr. Claudia Lucchinetti, Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean of Dell Medical School, the VP/CDO will serve as a core member of her senior leadership team and shape the development strategy for UT Medicine. At the heart of this opportunity is a bold and urgent challenge: to generate $500M in philanthropic support as Phase I of a historic, multi-billion-dollar campaign to construct and sustain the UT Austin Medical Center (UTMC) by 2030 and beyond. This is a transformational opportunity for a strategic, innovative, and mission-driven fundraising leader to join UT Medicine at a defining moment in its growthfrom an ambitious medical school to an integrated academic medical system that will redefine healthcare delivery, research, and education in Austin, Central Texas and beyond. The Senior Associate Vice President and Chief Development Officer (SAVP/CDO) will have a rare, career-defining opportunity to build and lead a world-class advancement program that reflects UT Medicine's values, fuels its mission, and inspires transformational investment. With a new tertiary hospital under construction and UT Medicine taking shape, the SAVP/CDO will design and drive a comprehensive philanthropic strategy to advance clinical care, research, and education, positioning Dell Medical School and UT Medicine as national leaders in academic medicine. This leader will scale and modernize the development operation into a high-performing, data-driven program. From launching a robust grateful patient strategy to forging cross-campus partnerships and unlocking interdisciplinary philanthropy, the SAVP/CDO will bring bold vision, fundraising expertise, and a collaborative spirit to this dynamic environment. Success will require building strong relationships with clinical and academic leaders, earning trust with physicians and researchers, and turning their work into compelling philanthropic opportunities that inspire donors. At a university with over half a million living alumni and growing national prominence, the S/CDO will align strategies with Texas Development and campus partners while prioritizing a robust grateful patient pipeline to diversify and expand transformational giving. The ideal candidate will have at least 12 years of leadership experience in complex development environments, with a track record of success in healthcare and academic medicine fundraising. They will be a strategic architect and trusted advisoragile, forward-thinking, and ready to galvanize a growing philanthropic community in support of one of Texas's most important healthcare initiatives. The SAVP/CDO will help write the next chapter of UT Medicine, creating a culture of philanthropy that fuels its impact for decades to come. Key Responsibilities Build a Scalable, Strategic, and Sustainable Development Enterprise Serve as the architect of a fully integrated advancement operation aligned with the institutional goals of UT Medicine and the immediate fundraising priorities of the capital medical center campaign. Craft a compelling and unifying case for supportone that connects the mission of UT Medicine with community needs and national impact, galvanizing philanthropic support from the Central Texas region and beyond. Deepen relationships with existing donors and launch strategic efforts to grow a robust pipeline of principal and transformational gift prospects. Assess and refine internal structures, systems, and workflows to ensure efficiency, transparency, and long-term sustainability, supported by data analytics, clear goals, and measurable outcomes. Strategic Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to the Dean, guiding her philanthropic engagement and helping position UT Medicine as a top national priority among prospective donors and institutional stakeholders. Actively engage faculty, clinical, and administrative leaders as ambassadors for philanthropyequipping them with tools, messaging, and confidence to inspire support for their departments, programs, and patients. Play a key leadership role on both the Dean's and Vice President for Development's senior teams, aligning fundraising strategy with broader institutional goals and ensuring UT Medicine is fully represented in university-wide development planning. Lead a high-performing, donor-centric fundraising operation that drives results across the full giving spectrum, with an emphasis on grateful patient philanthropy, principal and transformational gifts, and programmatic investments. Personally manage and steward a portfolio of transformational gift prospects, serving as a lead strategist and ambassador for UT Medicine. Design and deliver a best-in-class donor experienceblending personalized stewardship, cutting-edge digital engagement, and thoughtful recognition strategies that reflect the institution's values and ambitions. Build strong internal collaboration between fundraising, communications, and marketing teams to tell powerful stories of impact and opportunity. Team Development & Organizational Culture Inspire and lead a growing team of fundraising professionals, cultivating a high-performance culture grounded in purpose, trust, innovation, and inclusion. Recruit and retain top-tier talent while building a clear organizational structure that supports professional development and operational excellence. Establish and track key performance indicators, creating an environment that celebrates achievement while supporting creativity and thoughtful risk-taking. Promote a work culture that values authenticity, collaboration, and shared purposewhere every team member understands their role in advancing one of the most important academic medical initiatives in the country. Reporting Relationships The SAVP/CDO reports directly to the Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean of Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin and serves as a key member of her senior leadership team. The SAVP/CDO also maintains dotted-line reporting relationships to the Chief Administrative Officer for Dell Medical School & UT Medicine and the University's Vice President for Development, aligning fundraising strategy and operations across UT Medicine and Texas Development. Significant Working Relationships: Dell Medical School academic, research, and clinical leadership UT Austin President's Office and Executive Leadership Vice President for Development and Texas Development senior leadership team Department chairs, faculty, and physician leaders across UT Medicine University of Texas System leadership Clinical partners and affiliates, and future UT Medicine collaborators Philanthropic advisory councils, volunteer leaders, and high-net-worth donors Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Deep institutional appreciation and the ability to effectively articulate the mission, excellence, and strategic relevance of UT Austin, Dell Medical School and UT Medicine to a broad audience. A demonstrated ability to scale an emerging development program, growing revenue, building infrastructure, and creating a high-performance culture. Political savvy and the ability to collaborate seamlessly with senior academic, clinical, and administrative leadership, leveraging their time and voice to maximize philanthropic potential. A persuasive and compelling communicator, with the capacity to translate complex scientific and clinical concepts into accessible narratives for donors and stakeholders. A transparent, approachable, and empowering leadership style, with a strong track record of recruiting, mentoring, and retaining exceptional talent. Decisive, entrepreneurial, and comfortable leading through ambiguity; able to balance long-term vision with immediate goals and opportunities. Deep knowledge of grateful patient fundraising, donor privacy and compliance (e.g., HIPAA), and the unique dynamics of development in academic medicine. Familiarity with emerging technologies and data platformssuch as AI, analytics, and machine learningto inform strategy and optimize fundraising outcomes. Financially astute, with a strong sense of operational efficiency and a commitment to maximizing the impact of resources. Qualifications The ideal SAVP/CDO is a strategic, values-driven fundraising leader with a proven track record of building and leading high-performing advancement teams in complex, mission-driven environments, ideally in healthcare, academic medicine, or higher education. They bring deep expertise in development, best practices and a history of elevating fundraising operations through innovation, collaboration, and disciplined execution. This leader will have significant experience advising executive leadership and contributing to institutional strategy. They will excel at building relationships across a highly matrixed university and medical system, forging strong alliances with academic, clinical, research, and advancement partners. Passionate about UT Austin's mission and the transformative potential of Dell Medical School and UT Medicine, the VP/CDO will be a compelling storyteller who can communicate a powerful philanthropic vision that inspires donors, faculty, and community. A creative problem-solver and data-informed decision-maker, they will foster an inclusive, empowering culture with a focus on long-term sustainability and measurable impact. Education & Experience Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred. Expertise in donor strategy, campaign planning, pipeline