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
The Senior Director of Development, Great Lakes Region identifies, cultivates, and solicits individual donor prospects that live in a defined territory (Great Lakes Region, with a primary focus on Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Minnesota), and are capable of giving in excess of $100,000.
The Senior Director of Development manages and develops a portfolio of 200+ prospects and donors securing major and planned gifts of $100,000 or more on behalf of Michigan Athletics and will work closely with other athletic department leaders, coaches and development colleagues in a decentralized development environment.
Frequent travel is required as well as regular participation in evening and weekend activities.
Responsibilities*
- Develop and manage a portfolio of 200 major gift prospects focusing on solicitations of $100,000 and above with mature prospects.
- Direct oversight of the Associate Director of Development, Michigan Region position.
- Conduct at least 200 strategic moves with prospects and donors per year, and participate in a minimum of 25 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 of donors in the Great Lakes region.
- Aggressively identify, and formally qualify, new major and planned gift prospects by developing and executing long-range and short-range strategies and plans to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward prospects, producing a continuous stream of donors capable of making gifts of $100,000 or more to Michigan Athletics.
- Partner with the Athletic Development colleagues to develop, plan and execute a successful capital campaign.
- Serve in the development liaison role for the Michigan Football program.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with academic and other unit colleagues on campus, by demonstrating leadership in the development community
- Through collegial consultation and cooperation, demonstrate and be a model of collaboration in the U-M development community, while representing the Athletic Department's values and its unique role at the University of Michigan.
- Coordinate and facilitate activity 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.
- Prepare an annual strategic plan in consultation with school and unit-based colleagues with an emphasis on adding value to their efforts in the Great Lakes Region.
- Develop and maintain an astute awareness of social, business, and philanthropic cultures within the Great Lakes Region, and serve as an expert liaison for Michigan Athletics community.
- Have a comprehensive understanding of the Michigan Athletics priorities and make a persuasive verbal and written case for supporting key programs and projects, effectively matching the interests of prospects to specific Athletics Department needs.
Volunteer management and additional responsibilities:
- Assist with volunteer structures in recruiting and sustaining strong volunteer network to assist in prospect identification, cultivation, and solicitation, as well as to provide expanded opportunities for key prospects to engage with Michigan Athletics and the University as a whole.
- Support 3-5 sports, coaches and their staff with their fundraising plans, initiatives and efforts.
- Participate in Athletic Development events as appropriate this includes but is not limited; to home and away football game activities, on and off-campus donor activities, other athletic events, etc.
- Perform other duties as required or assigned.
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree required with a master's degree preferred.
- Seven or more years of development and/or sales experience, with a preference given to those with previous major gift experience in Athletics or Higher Education.
- 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 oral and written communication skills with an entrepreneurial mindset
- Demonstrated ability to work within a campus culture that includes a diverse array of personalities, and cohesively manage conflicting expectations
- Available to manage 50% travel, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, when needed
- Positive attitude with strong interpersonal skills
Modes of Work
Onsite: The work requires, or the supervisor approves a fully onsite presence. Onsite is defined as a designated U-M owned or leased work location within or outside of the State of Michigan.
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
The University of Michigan Athletic Department is dedicated to building a department culture which demonstrates respect for all, shows compassion for others, and celebrates the differences among our staff, student-athletes, and supporters. We are committed to the hiring and development of diverse staff who contribute to an inclusive environment.
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
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.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.