University of Michigan

Director of Major Gifts, Southern States Region

Office of University Development

Working Title

: 

Director of Major Gifts, Southern States Region

Posting Number

: 

61180

Job Category

: 

Fundraising - Director of Development

Reports To

: 

Sr. Executive Director, Leadership and Major Gifts, Eastern States Region

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 Major Gifts for the Southern States Region directs the major gift program in Florida, Texas and Georgia with a heavy emphasis on the Naples, Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa Bay areas, as well as Houston, Dallas and Atlanta. Other states represented in this region include South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma. This individual will develop and execute long and short-term strategies to secure major gifts and planned gifts ($100,000 or more) in concert with senior academic leaders and development colleagues in a decentralized development environment. Primary responsibilities will be implemented through regular and frequent visits with Michigan constituents throughout the assigned regions. The position will focus on ?fieldwork? and will require regular travel and participation in evening and weekend activities.

Supervises directly: Senior Development Assistant

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

20%
*Develop and execute long range and short-range strategies and plans to continually identify, cultivate and solicit prospects capable of making gifts of $100,000 more in the Southern States region
*Prepare an annual plan in consultation with School / unit?based colleagues with an emphasis on adding value to their efforts in the regions
*Maintain oversight on the quality and quantity of major gift activity in the region and take action to increase both as appropriate.
*Through collegial consultation and cooperation work diligently to ensure that the best prospects in the region are being actively managed.
*Coordinate and facilitate activity in the region that will directly result in prospect identification, engagement and successful solicitations, including advising executive officers, deans and development colleagues on the culture, expectations and needs of the University?s constituents in that region.

10%
*Recruit and sustain a strong volunteer network and committee structure in the region to multiply your efforts in prospect identification, cultivation, and solicitation as well as to provide expanded opportunities for key prospects to engage with Michigan?s academic leaders and one another.

20%
*Aggressively identify, and formally qualify, new major and planned giving prospects.

30%
*Personally develop, manage a portfolio of major gift prospects giving emphasis to those prospects who require a university-wide, 'honest-broker' (multiple degrees, demonstrated interest in multiple schools or programs).

20%
*Lead the major and planned gift solicitation process in the region by focusing on prospects under personal management and by supporting and facilitating solicitations directed by other staff. Ensure that prospects capable of major gifts are cultivated and solicited in an appropriate and deliberate manner.
*Perform other duties as required or assigned.

Required Qualifications

*Bachelor's degree or equivalent education and experience.

*Five to seven years of development experience, with at least three years of significant major gift experience working with gifts of $100,000 and above. Experience in higher education preferred.

*Sound knowledge of laws, practices and philosophy of charitable giving.

*Demonstrated track record of financial development and/or sales productivity in a complex work environment.

*Excellent communications skills, coupled with strong writing and presentation skills, as well as the ability to present before a group.

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

*Discretion and the ability to maintain a high level of professionalism, discretion and confidentiality.

*Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse array of personalities under pressure and deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

*Familiarity with University processes and procedures

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.