Senior Director of Leadership & Institutional Giving

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Dallas Zoo

Located three miles south of downtown Dallas, the 106-acre Dallas Zoo is the oldest and largest zoo in Texas. Founded with just two deer and two mountain lions in 1888 as the first zoo in the Southwest, this City of Dallas-owned but privately managed zoo is a thriving example of a successful public-private partnership. As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) for 35 years, the Zoo provides a home for more than 2,000 animals representing over 400 species.

Senior Director of Leadership & Institutional Giving

The Dallas Zoo is one of the most respected zoological institutions in the United States and a cornerstone cultural asset for North Texas. Founded in 1888, the organization has spent more than 135 years connecting people with wildlife while evolving into a leader in animal care, conservation, education, and community engagement. Today, as Texas''s oldest and largest zoo, Dallas Zoo welcomes nearly one million visitors annually and serves as a destination where families, students, researchers, conservationists, and community members come together to experience and better understand the natural world.

Over the past decade, the Dallas Zoo has experienced significant growth in attendance, community engagement, and philanthropic investment, further strengthening its position as one of North Texas''s premier cultural institutions. Under the leadership of CEO Lisa New, the organization has continued to expand its impact while investing in the long-term sustainability of its facilities, programs, and conservation initiatives.

Today, the Zoo is entering a defining chapter in its history. In 2025, the organization launched a comprehensive strategic planning process shaping a vision for the future. The resulting plan is expected to establish a framework for the Zoo''s next era of growth. At the same time, the Zoo is advancing Wild Horizons, a transformational $120 million capital campaign designed to reimagine the campus and expand its impact for generations to come.

The Opportunity

The Dallas Zoo seeks a strategic, relationship-driven fundraising leader to serve as its next Senior Director of Leadership and Institutional Giving at a transformational moment in the organization's history. As the Zoo advances Wild Horizons, the Senior Director will play a central role in securing the philanthropic investments necessary to realize the Zoo's ambitious long-term vision. This individual will advance the Dallas Zoo's mission by building and managing a robust pipeline of donors capable of making transformational gifts and leading cross-functional efforts to secure major commitments in support of general operations, capital priorities, and strategic initiatives. Fundraising opportunities span a broad range of mission-driven priorities including:

• President''s Circle - Leadership annual giving society supporting conservation, education, and animal care.
• Wild Horizons Campaign - Transformational capital campaign supporting future campus development and strategic priorities.
• Planned Giving Opportunities - Legacy and estate gifts that provide long-term support for the Zoo''s mission.
• Corporate Partnerships - Sponsorship and partnership opportunities that advance organizational priorities.

Working in close partnership with the Vice President of Advancement, the Senior Director will lead efforts to grow philanthropic support from high-capacity individuals, foundations, and corporate partners while advancing the Zoo's broader fundraising and campaign objectives. Philanthropic revenue for fiscal year 2026 is expected to reach $7.9 million. The Leadership and Institutional Giving team is responsible for securing $1.2 million annually through corporate sponsorships, foundation gifts, and major gifts from individuals.

A summary of the essential duties of the Senior Director of Leadership & Institutional Giving includes the following:

• Supervise and mentor Director of Corporate & Foundation Giving, ensuring strong strategy, proposal development, reporting, and alignment with institutional priorities to achieve departmental and organizational goals.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to grow leadership and institutional giving, including securing five- to seven-figure contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations in partnership with the VP of Advancement.
• Partner with the VP of Advancement to develop and manage annual revenue and expense budgets.
• Ensure the strategic coordination and/or bundling (as appropriate) of gift requests together with VP of Advancement and other members of the Advancement team.
• Achieve designated annual fundraising and revenue goals.
• Collaborate closely with Advancement leadership to ensure seamless donor progression across the giving pipeline.
• Manage a dynamic portfolio of leadership and campaign gift prospects, maintaining consistent engagement and advancing annual fundraising objectives.
• Serve as a key leader in capital campaign fundraising efforts, including portfolio strategy, volunteer engagement, campaign committee staffing, gift solicitation, and consultant coordination
• Develop and execute customized cultivation and solicitation strategies (moves management), ensuring timely and accurate documentation of donor activity and strategy within the Tessitura CRM system.
• Partner with Zoo leadership and board members to facilitate high-level donor engagement, cultivation and solicitation efforts.
• Ensure excellent stewardship practices, including timely acknowledgments, donor recognition, and impact reporting.
• Represent the Zoo at donor events, board meetings, and community functions.
• Partner with Marketing and Communications colleagues to develop fundraising collateral, donor communications, and related materials as necessary.
• Provide ongoing mentorship and performance feedback to direct reports.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Successful candidates will demonstrate the following qualifications, competencies experiences, and personal attributes:

• Bachelor's degree; advanced degree or CFRE preferred.
• Five to seven years of relevant experience, with proven success personally securing 5+ figure gifts and developing philanthropic relationships with 7 figure donor prospects
• At least two years in a leadership role, demonstrating effective experience managing other professionals and working with executive leaders, board members, and community leaders
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Experience with CRM systems required; willingness and ability to learn and fully utilize the Tessitura CRM system essential.
• Personable presence and demeanor with the desire to engage in personal contact with the external community.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with volunteer leaders, board members, and consultants.
• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Commitment to the mission and values of the Dallas Zoo.
• Experience supporting or participating in a capital campaign preferred.
• Reliable transportation and valid driver's license required.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role will be shared in the first stage of the interviewing process. The Dallas Zoo offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; a 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions and vesting after two years of employment; paid time off; and additional wellness resources.

How to Apply

Please Click Here to Submit Interest with Victory Search Group

Dallas Zoo

650 S. R.L. Thornton Fwy.

Dallas, TX 75203

Fax: Dallas Zoo

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@DallasZoo

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