University of Michigan

Director of Development and External Relations

School of Kinesiology

Posting Number

: 

56092

Job Category

: 

Fundraising - Director of Development

Reports To

: 

Dean, School of Kinesiology

Date Posted

: 

2011-03-24

Experience Range

: 

7 to 10 Years + Management Experience

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 Development and External Relations is the chief advancement officer for the School of Kinesiology, with over 5,000 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, stewardship, alumni relations and communications. 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 School of Kinesiology is one of 19 degree granting academic units on the University of Michigan campus with 27 tenure-line faculty, over 850 undergraduate students, and over 60 graduate students. Majors include Sport Management, Athletic Training, Movement Science, and Physical Education. Please visit the school’s website and overview slides for additional information (http://www.kines.umich.edu andhttp://www.kines.umich.edu/resources/snapshot-kinesiology).

 

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

Development and Fundraising Strategy (60%)

• Lead all aspects of development and external 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 and reunions; alumni relations, participation and giving; and corporate and foundation relations and engagement.  Manage all annual, major, and planned gift development as well as prospect research for the School.  Lead 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.
• Work collaboratively with the Dean to develop and implement a comprehensive development and alumni relations program for the School of Kinesiology.  In partnership with Kinesiology and University leadership, plan and implement the School of Kinesiology’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 Kinesiology priorities:
  • Provide professional fundraising guidance to the Dean and other academic and administrative leaders in defining fundraising and alumni relations priorities
  • Prepare and support the Dean in all development and alumni activities
  • Establish an accountability system with clearly defined fundraising goals, objectives, and measures for all School of Kinesiology staff
  • Regularly evaluate programs and assess progress towards goals
  • Report on results to the Dean
• Proactively and cooperatively identify and manage a portfolio of individual major gift prospects and donors, with an emphasis on gifts of $100K and above.  Identify, assess, analyze and conceive appropriate strategies for approaching prospects and making the vitally important selection of the appropriate donor’s interest match with the program and curricular needs within the School.
• 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, divisions and centers regarding securing funds for special projects.
• Provide guidance for maintaining electronic prospect files and information, utilizing DAC/
  DART and ROI, generating thank you letters, initiating and maintaining communication (written and verbal) with School of Kinesiology prospects and donors.
• Coordinate with the Office of University Development on prospect management and related record-keeping and communications, as well as analytics and campaign planning.
• Initiate reports, conduct studies, analyze data and perform other tasks related to development at the direction of the Dean and senior administrators.

 

External Relations (25%)

• Increase the level of giving, engagement and participation to the School of Kinesiology
  • Enhance and expand the base of major and planned gift prospects
  • Enhance the and annual giving program, increasing both participation and level of contributions
  • Enhance relationships with corporate donors and develop new linkages with industry partners
  • Ensure the donor recognition/stewardship program is consistent with university recommended practices that increase revenue and engagement with Kinesiology
• Create new contexts for increased involvement of alumni and other volunteers to enhance their advocacy and philanthropic support for Kinesiology priorities.
• Manage the School’s outreach programming, develop effective campaign volunteer structures, including an advisory board for the School of Kinesiology.
• Understand and capitalize on the unique strengths of each of the four programs in the School of Kinesiology and how they interrelate to other UM programs.
• Build and enhance overall awareness of the School of Kinesiology’s programs and development and alumni opportunities through marketing initiatives, Dean’s communications and media relations. Work in close collaboration with the Dean and Associate Director of Marketing & Communications to coordinate, create and manage all School of Kinesiology marketing and communications to enhance the visibility of the School.
• Work with the Dean, Associate Director of Marketing & Communications, Chief Administrative Officer, faculty and senior administration of the School 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.
• Represents School of Kinesiology leadership at public functions and special events as appropriate.
• Maintain a solid understanding of how to utilize and implement various media channels and emerging technologies to raise funds for the School of Kinesiology.

 

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 time.
• Manage a professional staff of three:  Associate Dir. of Marketing & Communications, Assistant Dir. of Development, and a Development 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.
• Perform general administrative duties to Kinesiology and UM Development requirements. Prepare an annual development and external relations budget in consultation with the development team, strategic plans, Dean and Chief Administrative Officer at the School.
• Other duties as assigned.

 

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree is required; master's degree preferred
• A minimum of 8 years of significant achievement in a broad-based development role in a complex matrix organization, ideally with experience in higher education; comprehensive campaign planning and experience at a multi-faceted institution is a plus
• A record of significant achievement in major and principal gift fundraising
• Proven success in solicitation and gift closure at the six and seven figure level is expected.
• Proven success in building productive, long-term relationships with senior university administrators, faculty, staff, institutional boards, volunteers, and donors
• Proven success in working closely with senior leaders and providing the support necessary to ensure their success in development activities
• Campaign planning and execution experience
• Demonstrated ability to formulate strategic plans, implement programs, organize, and follow-through
• Strong ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively with development officers in other schools, colleges, and units as well as with the Office of University Development, and a strong ability to work in, and an appreciation for a very interdisciplinary and diverse School and University
• Supervisory experience and proven track record of managing a high performing team
• Strong organizational and managerial leadership skills
• Highly developed writing and public speaking ability
• Ability to balance the needs of the School of Kinesiology and those of the University
• A collaborative, team-oriented style allied with the ability to be strong and decisive
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, organize, direct, and motivate staff
• A high level of initiative, energy, and creativity
• Sound judgment, ability to use discretion and maintain a high level of confidentiality
• A passion for higher education
• Results-oriented
• Must be available for U.S. and global travel as needed

 

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.