Advocacy Development & Engagement Director

📍 Location: Hybrid if candidate is in Austin, Texas, or Fully Remote if located outside of the greater Austin metro area. Candidate must be located within Texas. 📅 Target Start Date: December 1, 2026 About the Opportunity The Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) is seeking a dynamic, entrepreneurial Advocacy Development & Engagement Director to lead the growth of our advocacy fundraising programs and strengthen engagement among restaurant industry advocates across Texas. Representing an industry with more than 58,000 restaurant and foodservice locations, TRA is one of the state’s leading voices for businesses, entrepreneurs, and the millions of Texans whose livelihoods depend on hospitality. This is a unique opportunity for an accomplished fundraising professional who thrives on building relationships, developing compelling investment opportunities, and turning strategic connections into measurable results. The position combines fundraising and donor development (70%) with advocate engagement and activation (30%) , offering the opportunity to directly strengthen the restaurant industry’s influence and impact. We’re looking for a highly motivated relationship builder with exceptional emotional intelligence, strong executive presence, and the ability to independently develop and execute successful fundraising strategies. What You’ll Do Fundraising & Donor Development (70%) Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies supporting TRA’s political action committee and other advocacy funding initiatives. Identify, cultivate, and secure contributions from restaurant operators, national brands, corporate partners, industry suppliers, and other aligned organizations. Build lasting relationships with donors, understanding their business priorities and identifying opportunities for increased investment. Manage the complete fundraising lifecycle, from prospect identification and cultivation through solicitation, stewardship, and renewal. Collaborate with executive leadership, board members, and PAC Trustees to expand fundraising opportunities. Plan and execute fundraising events in collaboration with TRA staff, volunteers, and industry partners. Maintain accurate donor records, fundraising pipelines, revenue forecasts, and performance metrics. Develop compelling narratives demonstrating the value and impact of TRA’s advocacy efforts. Advocate Engagement & Activation (30%) Build and maintain a statewide network of restaurant industry advocates and supporters. Recruit, prepare, and coordinate industry leaders for legislative testimony, policymaker meetings, media opportunities, and other advocacy activities. Strengthen relationships between restaurant operators and elected officials through TRA’s grassroots advocacy programs. Identify opportunities to connect advocacy participation with financial support. Develop a diverse network of credible industry voices representing different regions, business types, and policy interests. Collaborate with TRA’s public affairs leadership to ensure advocates are prepared and engaged when opportunities arise. What We’re Looking For Required Qualifications 5+ years of professional fundraising, development, or closely related experience. Demonstrated success developing and executing fundraising strategies that generate measurable revenue. Proven ability to cultivate donor relationships, solicit contributions, and secure long-term financial commitments. Exceptional interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, discretion, and executive judgment. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop persuasive fundraising narratives. Experience managing donor pipelines, CRM systems, revenue forecasts, and performance reporting. Ability to work independently, establish priorities, and deliver results with minimal supervision. Strong organizational skills and comfort managing multiple relationships and initiatives simultaneously. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, CRM platforms, and modern productivity tools, including AI-powered technologies.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in political fundraising, PAC development, or advocacy-related fundraising. Familiarity with Texas politics, public policy, or grassroots advocacy. Experience developing corporate partnerships or major donor relationships. Background in the restaurant, hospitality, trade association, or business advocacy sectors. Why Join TRA? At the Texas Restaurant Association, you’ll help strengthen the voice of one of Texas’ most important industries. This position offers the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with business leaders, influence the growth of advocacy programs, and contribute directly to an organization working to protect and advance Texas restaurants. You’ll work closely with TRA’s executive leadership and public affairs team while enjoying the flexibility of a fully remote position based in Texas. If you’re an entrepreneurial fundraising professional who enjoys building relationships, creating opportunities, and delivering results, we’d love to hear from you!