University of Michigan

Regional Director of Development

Law School Office of Development and Alumni Relations

Working Title

: 

Regional Director of Development

Posting Number

: 

64307

Job Category

: 

Fundraising - Director of Development

Reports To

: 

Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving

Experience Range

: 

2 to 5 Years

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

To apply for this position, please submit your cover letter and resume as one document on the University of Michigan Careers at the U site.

If you are unable to apply via the U-M Jobs site, please submit your cover letter and resume to dev.careers@umich.edu. In the subject line, please type in the Job ID# for which you are applying.

For questions about the U-M application process, please refer to the FAQ page

Position Description

The Regional Director of Development is part of a team of professionals with primary responsibility for the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of individual prospects capable of giving in excess of $100,000.  The Regional Director will develop and drive fund-raising strategies to secure major gifts from alumni and friends who live primarily in the state of Michigan. Some additional responsibilities for coverage in other regions of the country may be assigned. The Regional Director also participates in overall budgeting, planning, and program management.  Frequent travel is required, as is occasional work on weekends.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage a geographic territory which includes approximately 250 prospects and donors with capacity to make gifts of $100,000 or more.
• Gather data, assess prospects, develop and execute strategies designed to realize the current and lifetime giving potential of individual prospects.
• Facilitate and make solicitations with potential donors, and ensure effective stewardship of donor relationships.
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the priorities of the Law School and, more broadly, the University.
• Make persuasive verbal and written cases for supporting Michigan Law’s key priorities, effectively matching the interests of prospects to specific programs, projects, and individuals needing support.
• Set priorities for multiple short-term and long-term projects based upon established goals for the Law School major gift team.
• Participate in development activities and events, including dinners, receptions, and alumni campus visits.
• Report activity and monitor resources and expenditures associated with his/her program and portfolio.
• Meet with colleagues across campus to coordinate and execute strategies, utilizing experience and knowledge to resolve conflicts and build consensus.
• Develop and maintain relationships with faculty, staff, and volunteers associated with his/her portfolios/programs.
• Work closely with Planned Giving colleagues within the University and the Law School to close planned gifts, with an understanding of the underlying principles and techniques associated with planned giving and estate gifts.
• Gather, record, and properly store information about prospects and donors utilizing appropriate University data bases.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned.
• Significant travel is required.

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree is required. A graduate or professional degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of successful fundraising – or comparable – experience.
• Close familiarity with, and commitment to, higher education.
• Strong interpersonal skills, both written and oral, as well as a high level of sophistication and maturity in social and professional settings.
• A general level of comfort when dealing with high net worth individuals, and an ability to maintain discretion, and high level of confidentiality, when dealing with significant benefactors.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a team environment.
• Comfort with using personal computers, tablets, and software programs for retrieving, organizing, researching, and presenting appropriate donor/prospect information.
• An ability and willingness to quickly learn both the Law School’s and University’s history, mission, demographics, faculty, current programs, and departments, as well as University culture.
• Prior campaign experience is preferred.
• Willingness to travel frequently and to work some evenings and weekends.

 

Mission Statement

The Office of University Development maximizes private support for the University of Michigan through high-quality collaboration with the development programs of schools, colleges, and units. We also provide fundraising leadership through the stimulation and facilitation of healthy, productive and life-long relationships with our colleagues, alumni, friends, foundations and corporations.

U-M EEO/AA Statement: The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.