Forty Acres Society Manager

Position Overview

The Texas Exes is the alumni association of The University of Texas at Austin, connecting Longhorns to one another and to The University through meaningful programs, experiences, and opportunities to give back. The Forty Acres Society (FAS) is a key Texas Exes constituency and an important source of philanthropic support for the Forty Acres Scholars Program.

The Society currently includes approximately 200 annual members who make a minimum $1,000 annual gift, as well as a 25-member Council whose members make a three-year commitment and contribute $3,000 annually. Through their philanthropy and engagement, these alumni and friends help fund enrichment opportunities for Forty Acres Scholars while building deeper connections to UT and the Texas Exes.

The Forty Acres Society Manager leads the Texas Exes' strategy for growing, engaging, and stewarding this important constituency. The role is responsible for strengthening annual membership and retention, developing the Council, cultivating philanthropic relationships, and creating meaningful opportunities for members to connect with Scholars, the Texas Exes, The University, and one another.

The position also works closely with Texas Exes leadership and University partners to identify and cultivate additional philanthropic opportunities for the Forty Acres Scholars Program, including STAMPS matching gifts and other sources of support.

 

Key Responsibilities

  • Grow and strengthen the Forty Acres Society by developing strategies to recruit new members, increase annual retention, and create a stronger sense of ongoing community and connection.
  • Lead the Forty Acres Society Council, including recruitment, onboarding, engagement, stewardship, and leadership development throughout members' three-year commitments.
  • Build and steward relationships with Society and Council members, prospects, volunteers, and donors on behalf of the Texas Exes.
  • Advance philanthropic support for the Forty Acres Scholars Program through annual giving, donor cultivation, stewardship, matching gifts, and other funding opportunities.
  • Create meaningful engagement opportunities through events, communications, Scholar interactions, and experiences that connect members to UT, the Texas Exes, and the impact of their philanthropy.
  • Partner with Texas Exes colleagues and departments on donor strategy, solicitations, stewardship, and broader constituency engagement.
  • Collaborate with University partners and the Forty Acres Scholars Program to create meaningful connections between members and Scholars and communicate the impact of philanthropy.
  • Manage the day-to-day operations of the program, including budget, communications, annual planning, data, reporting, and project management.
  • Serve as a knowledgeable and enthusiastic representative of the Texas Exes and a passionate advocate for the Forty Acres Scholars Program.
  • Enthusiastically pitch in to support the broader Texas Exes mission through day-of assistance with events such as game-day tailgates, scholarship and awards dinners, and ring celebrations.


 

What We're Looking For

The Texas Exes is looking for a highly driven, relationship-oriented professional who understands the mission, takes ownership, and makes things happen. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable building relationships, developing strategy, managing details, and working independently while being an active and collaborative member of the Texas Exes team.

  • Demonstrated ability to build authentic relationships with donors, alumni, volunteers, and other key stakeholders.
  • Experience with fundraising, donor stewardship, annual giving, alumni relations, membership, or a related field.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Strong initiative, judgment, and follow-through, with the ability to move projects and ideas forward independently.
  • Highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Creative, resourceful, and motivated to grow and improve a program.
  • Comfortable representing an organization and speaking confidently to individuals and groups.
  • Proficient with Salesforce or a comparable CRM, Asana or a similar project-management platform, SharePoint and the Microsoft Office suite.
  • Bachelor's degree and five or more years of relevant professional experience.
  • Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends and travel as needed.


 

What We're Looking For

Success means growing the Forty Acres Society into a larger and more deeply engaged Texas Exes constituency, strengthening the Council as a community of philanthropic leaders, increasing and sustaining support for the Forty Acres Scholars Program, and creating meaningful connections among alumni, Scholars, and The University.

The manager will bring energy, initiative, and fresh thinking to a successful program while building strong relationships and working collaboratively across the association.

The Texas Exes prides itself on being a family-oriented and fulfilling workplace. The association is a close-knit team of mission-driven people who get the job done. Full-time employees receive a highly competitive benefits package—including a generous 401(k) match, fully paid health premium options with an employer contribution to an HSA, and free parking—and work in a professional culture that rewards and recognizes hard work, creativity, and loyalty.


 

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE POSITION Send resume, cover letter, references, and SALARY REQUIREMENTS to resumes@texasexes.org. Be sure to put “Forty Acres Society Manager” in the subject line and state where you saw this posting. No phone calls please.

The Texas Exes alumni association is an Equal Opportunity Employer