University of Michigan

Director of Major Gifts

Law School

Posting Number

: 

55486

Job Category

: 

Fundraising - Director of Development

Salary

: 

$120,000.00 - $130,000.00

Reports To

: 

Assistant Dean for Development and Alumni Relations, Law School

Date Posted

: 

2011-02-22

Experience Range

: 

5 to 7 Years + Management Experience

This is a temporary assignment.
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, please send your cover letter and resume to: dev.careers@umich.edu

Position Description

A senior development professional who works closely with the Assistant Dean for Development and Alumni Relations in setting the strategic direction for the Law School’s major and planned giving fundraising efforts.  The Director will provide leadership, guidance, and moves management strategy to four regional directors of development, as well as manage his/her own portfolio of prospects.   Travel is an expectation.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain and manage portfolio of 120 – 150 major and planned giving prospects in a select region.  This includes, but is not limited to, maintaining frequent contact with prospects, university leaders, and volunteers.  Plan systematic, appropriate, and effective solicitation strategies for major and planned gift prospects. 
  
  
• Provide leadership and guidance to an experienced team of major gifts officers to ensure their continued and increased success in supporting the Law School’s funding and programmatic priorities.  It is expected that that each of the major gifts officers will continue to exercise broad discretion in terms of relationship management, individual prospect cultivation, and travel schedule.  Set annual performance standards and train and motivate the team.
  
  
• Set goals and evaluate of progress in the following areas:
  • Major gifts fundraising
  • Prospect cultivation
  • Program progress
  • Major gifts directed stewardship activities and planning
  • Annual performance
  • Program budgeting
    
    
• Develop the appropriate level of internal communication, reporting, and tracking of results.  
  
  
• Assist in the planning and implementation of future fundraising campaigns through a variety of strategic and tactical efforts.

• Maintain an environment in which stewardship activities and major and planned giving activities naturally complement one another in accordance with donor lifecycle modeling and moves management. 
  
  
• Provide leadership in developing partnerships and maintaining strong lines of communication with colleagues in the Law School, OUD, and schools and units across the University to ensure effective collaboration and synergy in achieving the Law School’s key fundraising goals and objectives.  
  
  
• Foster an environment for sharing information and keeping the development team and all stakeholders well informed of strategies, contacts with prospects and donors, and related activities.
  
  
• Provide guidance for fundraising committees and related events and activities led by volunteers whose goal it is to financially support the Law School and its programs.
  
  
• Initiate reports, conduct studies, and perform other tasks related to development at the direction of the Assistant Dean; in particular, coordinating special fundraising projects (e.g., Branch Rickey Collegiate Professorship, Bergstrom Fellowship Program).
• Attend a variety of Law School and university meetings in the Assistant Dean’s stead or in partnership with him/her.

 

Required Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree is required; graduate or professional degree preferred.
  
  
• Minimum of 5-7 years of successful fundraising experience.  Proven success in gift closure at the six- and seven-figure level is desired. 
  
  
• A minimum of three years of team management experience and demonstrated strength in managerial administration or relevant experience is required.

• Previous experience navigating a complex environment and an ability to maintain discretion, and a high level of confidentiality when dealing with personnel manners.

• Close familiarity with and commitment to higher education.

• Excellent communications skills, especially strong writing and presentation skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a team environment.

• 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.

• A high level of competence with personal computers and software programs – especially Microsoft Office – for retrieving, organizing and researching appropriate donor/prospect information, as well as data gathering and manipulation.

• An ability and willingness to quickly learn the Law School and the University’s history, mission, demographics, faculty, current programs, departments, etc., as well as the University culture to be able to persuasively articulate how Michigan and the Law School distinguishes itself from peer institutions.

• Strong interpersonal skills are required, both written and oral, as well as a high level of sophistication and maturity in social and professional settings.

• Prior campaign experience is preferred.

 

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.