How to Apply
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.
Job Summary
As a key member of the Office of Advancement, the Senior Director of Advancement's primary responsibility is managing the College of Engineering's regional major gifts team, while also serving as a role model through the management of a portfolio of individual prospects who are capable of giving in excess of $100,000.
Who We Are
Michigan Engineers are world-class educators, researchers, students and staff who strive to build a people-first future. As part of a top national public research institution, Michigan Engineering's mission is to provide scientific and technological leadership to the people of the world, develop intellectually curious and socially conscious minds, create collaborative solutions to societal problems, and promote an inclusive and innovative community of service for the common good.
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
- Maternity and Parental Leave
Responsibilities*
- Oversee the regional major gifts team, providing leadership and guidance on development strategies, partnering with gifts officers to define, implement, and evaluate prospect/donor plans and progress.
- Set and evaluate individual goals for the team, developing and sustaining appropriate training, mentoring, and assigning and monitoring coverage of key areas.
- Implement best practices across the gift officer team and partner with the College and University colleagues to secure and steward major gifts, assuring portfolios are appropriately managed and advanced.
- Advance individual relationships that result in philanthropic contributions
- Identify, qualify, and manage a portfolio of approximately 25-50 households with the capacity to make gifts of $100,000 and more.
- Conduct approximately 25-75 strategic moves/visits with prospects and donors per year, and participate in more than 10 solicitations per year.
- Gather data, assess prospects, and develop strategies designed to realize the current and lifetime giving potential of individual prospects.
- Ensure consistent and appropriate contact, facilitate or make solicitations, and ensure effective stewardship.
- Develop materials used by the College and/or University leadership for meetings, visits, or individual contacts.
- Plan and direct Engineering development-related activities, including dinners, receptions, and visits by the dean, officers, and faculty in designated major metropolitan areas.
- Collaborate regularly with colleagues across campus to coordinate and execute strategies, and use experience and knowledge to resolve conflicts and build consensus.
- Develop and maintain relationships with faculty and administrators.
- Work closely with Planned Giving colleagues to close planned gifts with an understanding of the principles and techniques associated with planned giving and financial and estate planning.
- Gather, record, and properly handle and store information about prospects and donors utilizing the appropriate systems.
- Exercise discretion and interact with donors, utilizing an ethical approach to fundraising, maintaining a high level of confidentiality.
- Understand and represent the College's values - leadership and excellence; creativity, innovation and daring; diversity, equity and social impact; collegiality and collaboration; transparency and trustworthiness.
- Have a comprehensive understanding of the priorities of the College of Engineering, and make persuasive verbal and written cases for supporting key programs and projects, effectively matching the interests of prospects to specific College needs.
- Develop and maintain an astute awareness of social, business, and philanthropic cultures within Michigan, and serve as an expert liaison for the College of Engineering and the campus community.
- Utilize appropriate means to connect with prospects through the frequent use of virtual tools and/or travel for direct engagement.
- Perform other duties as required or assigned.
Required Qualifications*
- A baccalaureate degree and 7 or more years of significant major gift fundraising experience and/or other relevant experience in sales and marketing, or other related fields, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 3 or more years of management experience, with a proven track record of successfully managing a team.
- Proven success generating and converting six- and seven-figure fundraising solicitations, or equivalent success in a related field, including the ability to evaluate, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects.
- Excellent communication skills coupled with strong writing and presentation skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a team environment.
- Self-motivated, innovative problem-solver.
- Strong organization skills with the ability to prioritize work appropriately.
- Ability to exercise discretion and interact with donors while maintaining confidentiality as appropriate.
- Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse array of personalities under pressure and deadlines
- Comfort with personal computers and software programs for retrieving, organizing and researching appropriate donor/prospect information, as well as data gathering and manipulation.
- An ability and willingness to quickly learn the College's and University's history, mission, demographics, faculty, current programs, departments, etc., as well as the culture to be able to persuasively articulate how Michigan distinguishes itself from peer institutions.
- Strong interpersonal skills, both written and oral, as well as a high level of sophistication and maturity in social and professional settings.
Desired Qualifications*
- Close familiarity with and commitment to higher education.
- Planned giving experience.
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
Frequent engagement and/or travel is required.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.