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Texas Wesleyan University

Development Director

Texas Wesleyan University, Fort Worth, Texas, United States, 76102

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Overview

Texas Wesleyan University (TXWES) is a private Methodist university in Fort Worth, Texas. The university emphasizes a small-campus experience with a liberal arts foundation and a commitment to inclusion. TXWES is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and offers programs across four schools: Arts & Sciences, Business Administration, Education, and Health Professions. The campus hosts over 2,600 students with a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1 and a variety of athletic programs. The university’s core values include Connection, Commitment, Compassion, and Courage, guiding its community in education and stewardship. Location: Fort Worth, TX. This position is based in Fort Worth and requires the successful candidate to reside within a reasonable driving distance of the office. Position Summary

The Development Director is a dynamic fundraising professional responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding philanthropic support to advance the university\'s mission. The role manages a portfolio of mid-to-major gift prospects ($10,000–$100,000) and emphasizes donor-centric relationship building to generate revenue through engagement of alumni, parents, and friends. The Development Director reports to the Executive Director of Individual Giving and contributes to university priorities by securing support for scholarships, academic programs, and other key initiatives. Essential Job Functions

Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors through personal contact following annual performance metrics and goals. Manage a portfolio of donors ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 with personalized engagement and solicitation strategies. Conduct prospect research and collaborate with the advancement team to build a robust donor pipeline. Complete timely contact reports and maintain accurate prospect management records. Work with the Executive Director of Individual Giving to identify and transition high-potential donors into major gift portfolios; collaborate with alumni and annual giving teams to ensure continuity in donor engagement and retention. Assist in strategy and execution of fundraising campaigns, including capital campaigns, planned giving, and restricted fund initiatives. Coordinate and participate in donor engagement activities (events, stewardship meetings, recognition programs). Some activities may occur on weekends, evenings, and out of town. Partner with faculty, deans, and university leadership to align fundraising efforts with institutional needs. Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Individual Giving and/or Vice President of Advancement. Qualifications

Required Skills, Abilities, and Education: Proven ability to solicit and secure gifts in the $10,000+ range. Ability to build productive relationships with key constituencies. Ability to adhere to university and divisional policies and procedures. Excellent relationship-building skills and experience in donor cultivation and stewardship. Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team-oriented advancement office. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including proposal writing and public speaking. Ability to write reports and effectively present information to managers, clients, customers, and the general public; read and interpret general business materials. Ability to plan and implement programs; solve practical problems with limited standardization. Willingness to travel regionally across the DFW metroplex and work occasional evenings and weekends for donor engagement. Commitment to integrity, discretion, and donor confidentiality. Bachelor’s degree required; 3–5 years of experience preferred in higher education. Reporting Relationships: The Development Director reports to the Executive Director of Individual Giving. Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $70,000 – $80,000. TXWES offers a comprehensive benefits package including Medical/Rx, Dental, Vision, Vacation and Sick Time, Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Spending Account (HSA), Life and Disability, 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan, special summer hours, and more. Equal Opportunity: Texas Wesleyan University is an equal opportunity employer. The university is committed to equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by law. Salary Disclosure: For equity, salary ranges are published in searches. Location: This position is based in Fort Worth, TX. The successful candidate must live within a reasonable driving distance of the office. Submission Instructions

Cooper Coleman is leading this search on behalf of Texas Wesleyan University. To apply, please visit the online application. Nominations of qualified candidates can be sent to the contact below. John Toolan, Vice President, Executive Search John.Toolan@CooperColeman.com Kindly include "Texas Wesleyan DD" as the subject line. All inquiries will be held in confidence. This position is open until filled, but priority will be given to materials received before Wednesday, September 24, 2025. A cover letter is not required with your initial application but is welcome to help assess fit for the role. Candidates invited for interviews will be asked to provide a letter of interest indicating qualifications, interest in Texas Wesleyan, and connection to its mission. Background Checks + Credentials Verification: Cooper Coleman verifies candidates\' employment and academic credentials at the time of offer; our clients may conduct background checks before finalizing an offer. Equal Employment Opportunity and Accessibility: Cooper Coleman LLC is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified candidates and will not discriminate in its recruitment and employment process on any legally protected basis. Location: This position is in Fort Worth, TX.

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