Director of Development and Alumni Relations

School of Social Work

Working Title
: 
Director of Development and Alumni Relations

Posting Number
: 
66957

Job Category
: 
Fundraising - Director of Development

Reports To
: 
Dean, School of Social Work

Experience Range
: 
5 to 7 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 Director of the Office of Development and Alumni Relations is the chief advancement officer for the School of Social Work, with more than  15,000 alumni. This individual maintains executive responsibility for the planning, implementation, and management of all components of the development and alumni relations program.  Directs annual giving, major and planned gifts, foundation relations, stewardship, and alumni relations. Responsible for personal solicitation of major and planned gifts, as well as planning and directing the solicitation of prospects by the Dean of the School, among other faculty and senior administrators.  Conceives and implements strategies for the School’s prospects as well as identifies and pursues prospects for the School’s campaign priorities.

The University of Michigan School of Social Work is a community of internationally recognized faculty, gifted students, and dedicated alumni who share a common objective: to create social change and promote social justice through excellence in research, education, and practice. Consistently ranked among the top schools of social work in the nation, the School of Social Work has a master of social work program that is held in the highest regard by educators and professionals in the field. It is one of the most comprehensive programs in the country with a wide range of specializations and dual-degree programs. The School also has a Doctoral Program in Social Work and Social Science which is the only joint-degree program of its kind in the country and has produced many deans and directors of social work education. Please visit the school’s website for additional information: http://www.ssw.umich.edu/

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

Development and Fundraising Strategy (60%)

  • Lead all aspects of development and alumni relations for the School.  This includes but is not limited to:
    *  Developing and implementing comprehensive strategic plans for annual and campaign fundraising; stewardship activities including donor and scholarship events; alumni relations, participation and giving; and corporate and foundation relations and engagement.
    *  Managing all annual, major, and planned gift development as well as prospect research for the School.
    *  Leading all efforts to coordinate on behalf of the School with the Office of University Development, the Business Engagement Center, and the Alumni Association, appropriately leveraging their resources and expertise.
  • Working collaboratively with the Dean to develop and implement a comprehensive development and alumni relations program for the School of Social Work.  In partnership with Social Work and University leadership, plan and implement the School of Social Work’s portion of the next development campaign.  Establish, with the Dean, an operating plan with annual goals, objectives, and strategies for fundraising and alumni relations programs in support of the School of Social Work priorities.
  • Identify, qualify, and manage a portfolio of prospects with the capacity to make gifts in excess of $25,000, with an emphasis on prospects for gifts of $100,000 or more.  Identify, qualify, and manage new and current planned giving prospects, in collaboration with the University’s Office of Gift Planning.
  • Provide support to the Dean of Social Work in the allocation of her development time.  Lead specific projects as directed by the Dean. Oversee the Dean’s Advisory Board.  Assist the Dean in identifying fundraising priorities and plan and direct the cultivation and solicitation of School prospects by the Dean, President, Provost and Vice President for Development.
  • Advise individual faculty and directors regarding securing funds for special projects.
  • Ensure School’s effective utilization of DART to maintain current records on prospects and donors, including plans, interactions, communications, volunteer activities, and events.
  • Coordinate with the Office of University Development on prospect management and related record-keeping and communications, as well as analytics and campaign planning.
  • Ensure consistent and appropriate contacts (i.e. solicitations and stewardship) with current donors and prospects. Develop the appropriate level of internal communication, reporting, and tracking of fundraising activities and results.
  • Initiate reports, conduct studies, analyze data and perform other tasks related to development at the direction of the Dean and senior administrators.
  • Work closely with the Office of University Development and units across campus in prospect coordination issues, and in setting priorities for major and planned gift fieldwork on behalf of the School of Social Work.
  • Appropriately coordinate with the School's faculty in terms of involvement with individual prospects and donors and
  • Provide strategic leadership and oversight with corporate and foundation prospects and donors.
  • In conjunction with the Assistant Director of Development, work to enhance the annual giving program, increasing both participation and level of contributions.
  • Ensure the donor recognition/stewardship program is consistent with university recommended practices that increase revenue and engagement with Social Work.

Alumni Relations (25%)

  • Oversee the alumni relations program for the School of Social Work.
  • Create new contexts for increased involvement of alumni and other volunteers to enhance their advocacy and philanthropic support for Social Work priorities. Manage volunteer identification, recruitment, training and involvement in fund raising and friend raising activities for the School of Social Work.
  • Oversee the School of Social Work Alumni Board of Governors, including all fundraising, events, and outreach activities performed by the Board.
  • Work in collaboration with the Assistant Director to enhance Reunion programming for the School.
  • Provide leadership for approximately 30-40 annual events & activities.
  • Represent the School at public functions and special events as appropriate.

Leadership and Management (15%)

  • Provide executive staff support to the Dean related to fundraising activities, including strategic planning for Dean’s fundraising travel, providing briefing materials for meetings and visits, and drafting correspondence.  Partner with the Dean in coordinating travel to maximize use of his/her time.
  • Work with the Dean and School leadership, faculty, and staff to articulate funding priorities and communicate the School’s funding objectives to both internal and external constituencies.  Work closely with the senior staff, faculty and Associate Deans of the School strategically and serve with them in an overall advisory capacity to the Dean.
  • Work in close collaboration with the Dean and SSW Communications team regarding the marketing and communications efforts of the School.
  • Maintain a solid understanding of how to utilize and implement various media channels and emerging technologies to raise funds for the School of Social Work. Provide direction to the communications staff for external alumni/donor communication materials including print, electronic, and web based media.
  • Manage a professional staff of three: Assistant Director of Development; Development Events Specialist; Administrative Assistant
  • Provide leadership, set and evaluate individual goals, develop and sustain appropriate training and mentoring, and assign and monitor coverage of primary area of focus.
  • Maintain strong lines of communication with other offices and staff within the School of Social Work.  Serve on related committees, task force or advisory groups as needed.
  • Effectively manage a comprehensive budget for the Office of Development and Alumni Relations.
  • Oversee the Schools endowment and gift accounts and allocations.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

  • A bachelor's degree is required; master's degree preferred
  • A minimum of 5 years of significant achievement in a development role
  • Proven success in solicitation and gift closure at the six figure level is expected
  • The ability and willingness to travel and participate in evening and weekend activities
  • Considerable experience in volunteer management and coordination
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and oral
  • Discretion and an ability to interact with donors and the ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
  • Professional demeanor
  • Ability to balance priorities and organize multiple projects
  • An understanding of, passion for and commitment to, the mission of the School of Social Work and higher education.
  • Proven success in building productive, long-term relationships with senior administrators, faculty and/or staff, institutional boards, volunteers, and donors
  • Demonstrated ability to formulate strategic plans, implement programs, organize, and follow-through
  • A collaborative, team-oriented style

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in higher education, and campaign planning and execution
  • Supervisory experience and proven track record of managing a high performing team
  • Strong organizational and managerial leadership skills
  • Demonstrated ability to recruit, organize, direct, and motivate staff
  • A high level of initiative and creativity
  • Some knowledge of the University organization, policies, rules and regulations
  • Extensive knowledge of computers and database structures

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.

The University of Michigan Office of Development, 3003 South State Street, Suite 9000, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1288phone734 647-6000