How to Apply
A cover letter and resume are important submissions for the hiring team to get a sense of your experience. In the cover letter, one page or less, please let us know how this role aligns with your career aspirations and skills. Submit both a cover letter and resume as one file, due to system limitations.
Job Summary
The Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan is a diverse learning community grounded in the principle that business can be an extraordinary vehicle for positive change in today's dynamic global economy. The Ross School of Business mission is to build a better world through business. Through our powerful ideas, purpose-driven leaders, and positive impact, we empower business leaders to improve the world. Learn more about Ross HERE.
The Regional Director of Major & Principal Gifts is a managerial role in the Ross School's Office of Advancement. This role will report to the Senior Director of Advancement and manage two Major Gift Officers. When not traveling, this role is hybrid with on-site expectations in Ann Arbor, MI 3 days per week. Significant travel within the U.S. (roughly 50%) is required to various locations. You will occasionally work during early mornings, nights, or weekends. For a full job description, see link here. For questions about this role, email [email protected].
Please note: To be considered for this position, candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Ross School of Business does not offer visa sponsorship for this position.
What You'll Do
The Regional Director of Major & Principal Gifts, West Coast leads the major gifts efforts for the West Coast Region, with a primary focus on fundraising in Los Angeles and San Francisco. This individual will develop and execute long and short-term strategies to secure major gifts ($100,000 or more) and principal gifts ($5,000,000 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 Ross School constituents throughout the region.
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 (Vacation, Holidays, Season Days)
- 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
- Flexible Work Program
- Ross Onsite Fitness Center
Responsibilities*
Direct Fundraising
- Manage and solicit a portfolio of major and planned gift prospects ($100K+), with emphasis on complex, university-wide donors and gifts in the $500K-$2.5M range.
- Lead and support strategic cultivation and solicitation efforts; maintain a strong fundraising cadence (15-20 visits/month; 20+ asks/year).
Regional Strategy & Prospect Development
- Oversee regional major gift strategy in partnership with senior leadership to ensure strong prospect engagement and fundraising performance.
- Build relationships with academic and development partners and advise leadership on donor strategy, travel, and regional engagement.
Management & Supervision
- Lead, mentor, and develop Ross fundraising staff across the West Coast.
- Ensure teams execute regional strategy, meet performance metrics, and collaborate effectively across the university.
Volunteer Engagement
- Lead and grow regional volunteers to support prospect identification, cultivation, engagement, and solicitation.
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent education and experience.
- Seven or more years as a fundraiser, with at least five years working on gifts of $100,000 and above ideally in higher education.
- Sound knowledge of laws, practices and philosophy of charitable giving.
- Discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
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
Salary Information:
The posting range for this position is $95,300 to $128,600. This posting range reflects multiple factors involved in determining compensation, such as skills, experience, training, certifications, and other organizational needs. At Ross, it is not common for new hires to be offered a salary at the upper end of the range. Compensation decisions are based on the details of each situation.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.