How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and must be attached as the first page of your resume.
The University of Michigan Development Community is committed to growing and retaining a diverse and thriving workforce, demonstrating respect and inclusivity for all.
To be considered you must be eligible to work in the United States without requiring university sponsorship for continued employment.
Note: All new employees are expected to be in commutable distance to campus.
We will begin application reviews and interviews in January 2025.
Job Summary
Your primary responsibility is the identification, cultivation and solicitation of parent prospects living in the defined territories of the tri-state region and southern California, that are capable of giving in excess of $100,000. Frequent travel is required.
Reports to: Executive Director, Parent & Family Giving and Student Life
Why Work at Michigan?
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
- Generous time off
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
Responsibilities*
Major Gifts Fundraising (80%)
- You will advance individual relationships that result in philanthropic contributions:
- Identify, qualify, and manage a portfolio of approximately 200 prospects with capacity to make gifts of $100,000 and more.
- Conduct at least 120 personal visits with prospects and donors per year, and participate in a minimum of 20 solicitations per year.
- Gather data, assess prospects, and develop strategies designed to realize the current and life-time giving potential of individual prospects.
- Ensure consistent and appropriate contact, facilitate or make solicitations, and ensure effective stewardship
- Develop an astute awareness of social, business, and philanthropic cultures within assigned territories, and serve as an expert liaison for the campus community.
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of the priorities of the University and make a verbal and written case for supporting main programs and projects, matching the interests of prospects to specific University needs
- Develop materials used by our Deans, Directors, Vice Presidents, the Provost and the President for meetings, visits or individual contacts.
Programmatic Support (15%)
- Provide fund raising support to major gift officers at individual Schools, Colleges and Units, meet with your colleagues across campus to coordinate and execute strategies, resolve conflicts and build consensus. You will develop relationships with our faculty and administrators.
- Assist the Executive Director with managing our Parent & Family Development Leadership Council and other committees that may develop over time. Your responsibilities may include developing communications, designing meeting content, preparing materials, coordinating activity with campus colleagues, and directing volunteer assignments.
- Be our team-lead for program-specific initiatives; examples include: parent communications series; Parent Partners; campstone gift program; unit stewardship liaison.
- Be an active team member in the development and implementation of our Parent & Family Giving/Student Life team's short-term and long-term planning goals. Also partake in the larger Major Gift Program's goals and tactics by attending retreats, staff meetings, serving on special task forces, and understanding the University's broader development vision.
- Work with Planned Giving colleagues to close planned gifts to the University with an understanding of the principles and techniques associated with planned giving and financial and estate planning.
- Gather, record and properly store information about prospects and donors using DART, the University's donor and alumni tracking database.
Other Duties (5%)
- Perform other tasks as required or assigned.
*For the full job description with a detailed list of responsibilities, please click here.
Required Qualifications*
- 3-4 years work experience or a baccalaureate degree
- 5+ years of significant major gift fundraising experience and/or relevant experience in sales and marketing, or other related fields
- Proven experience working with six and seven-figure gifts or sales and marketing accounts, including the ability to evaluate, qualify, and move prospects through the cultivation/solicitation cycle
- Must be able to travel 30-40% of the time both in-state and throughout the country. This includes evenings, weekends, and holidays
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
For additional information about this position and to review other current openings in Development, please visit our website at: https://giving.umich.edu/um/careers
Application Deadline
Although the Posting End Date may indicate otherwise, this job may be filled and closed any time after a posting duration of seven calendar days.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.