University of Michigan

Director of Development and Alumni Relations

School of Natural Resources & Environment

Working Title

: 

Director of Development and Alumni Relations

Posting Number

: 

59970

Job Category

: 

Fundraising - Director of Development

Reports To

: 

Dean, School of Natural Resources and Environment

Experience Range

: 

7 to 10 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.

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Position Description

The Director of Development and Alumni Relations is the chief advancement officer for the School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE) with over 7,000 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, 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 School of Natural Resources and Environment's mission is to contribute to the protection of the Earth's resources and the achievement of a sustainable society. Through research, teaching and outreach, faculty, staff and students are devoted to generating knowledge and developing policies, techniques and skills to help practitioners manage and conserve natural and environmental resources to meet the full range of human needs on a sustainable basis. To be effective, the Director of Development and Alumni Relations must connect with and commit to the mission of the school. Please visit the SNRE website for additional information (www.snre.umich.edu)

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

Development and Fundraising Strategy (75%)
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 SNRE with the Office of University Development, and other school/unit colleagues.

Work collaboratively with the dean to build and implement a comprehensive development and alumni relations program for SNRE. In partnership with school and university leadership, plan and implement SNRE'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 key funding 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 staff
*Regularly evaluate programs and assess progress towards goals
*Report on results to the dean

Proactively and cooperatively identify and manage a national 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 SNRE prospects by the Dean, President, Provost and Vice President for Development. Advise individual faculty regarding securing funds for special projects.

Increase the level of giving, engagement and participation to SNRE:
*Enhance and expand the base of major and planned gift prospects
*Enhance the annual giving program, increasing both participation and level of contributions
*Enhance relationships with corporate and foundation 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 SNRE.

Provide guidance to development staff for maintaining electronic prospect files and information, utilizing DAC/DART and ROI, generating thank you letters, initiating and maintaining communication (written and verbal) with SNRE 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.

Work in close collaboration with the SNRE Dean and Director of Communications to articulate and coordinate development external outreach with all marketing/communications to ensure for consistent messaging to better enhance the visibility of the school and its funding priorities and objectives.

Leadership and Management (20%)
Provide executive staff support to the Dean related to fundraising activities, including strategic planning for the 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 her time.

Manage professional staff. Provide leadership, set and evaluate individual goals, develop and sustain appropriate training and mentoring, and assign and monitor coverage of primary area of focus.

Manage an annual development budget in consultation with the development team, Director of Budget and Administration and Dean.

5% Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

*A strong candidate will bring interest in and dedication to, the mission of the school, contributing to the protection of the Earth's resources and the achievement of a sustainable society.
*A bachelor's degree is required; advanced degree desirable.
*A minimum of 7 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.
*An appreciation for the nature of environmental problem solving across disciplines ranging from natural sciences to engineering to economics to behavior, is desirable.
*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.
*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 and the ability to recruit, organize, direct, and motivate staff.
*Strong organizational and managerial leadership skills.
*Highly developed writing and public speaking ability.
*A high level of initiative, energy, and creativity; sound judgment, ability to use discretion and maintain a high level of confidentiality.
*Must be available for travel and evening/weekend work 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.