Major Gifts Officer

How to Apply

As one attachment, please submit your cover letter and resume. To assist the hiring team in assessing your candidacy, please explain in your cover letter how this role fits your career interests at this time. Your submissions will also be used to assess writing skills.

To be considered for this position, apply directly here: https://bit.ly/2UsBr4S To learn more about our development community, including other opportunities, visit: www.giving.umich.edu/careers

Summary

The mission of Penny W. Stamps School of Art and Design (Stamps School) is to be an internationally recognized leader in interdisciplinary art and design education, grounded in research, practice, creative excellence and community engagement – to prepare students to think in new ways, to become attentive world citizens, and to gain the skills needed for life-long accomplishment in a variety of fields and cultural contexts to address the challenges of our times.

We are looking for someone to join our professional, collaborative development team for a major gifts role in a national fundraising and alumni engagement effort. You will use your skills to identify and solicit prospects and help with the creation and implementation of the School's fundraising, alumni relations and stewardship strategies. You will report to the Director of Development and Alumni Relations and may manage temporary employees, work study students or interns. Note: Extensive travel is required, as is occasional evening and weekend hours. 

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*

• Cultivate and manage a portfolio of existing donors and prospects including soliciting major gifts to meet defined targets
• Research and analyze data to develop strategic solicitation plans to maximize the lifetime giving potential of prospects targeting gifts of $100,000 or more; implement the plans
• Project a professional demeanor while working with diverse constituencies, ranging from students to high net worth individuals
• Lead fundraising events including tactical plans, developing materials and managing participation
• Creatively identify opportunities to build programs that cultivate relationships with a diverse donor base and prospects
• Manage records and activity in our donor database system and provide reports to leadership
• Use your organizational skills to complete tasks while meeting the needs of stakeholders
• Communicate with others by presenting to large groups, meeting with prospects and hosting events; write communication materials to support these efforts
• Work with diverse individuals across a large, decentralized organization
• Develop relationships with faculty, staff, students and internal fundraising communities
• Contribute to our diversity, equity and inclusion programs
• Maintain confidentiality and use professional judgment
   

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree
• 3+ years of fundraising, alumni relations or related experience such as sales
• Applied knowledge of best practices related to financial development resulting in meeting targets
• Demonstrated experience fostering relationships with high-potential prospects
• Interest in travel and working nights and weekends
• Passion for diversity, equity and inclusion
   

Underfill Statement

This position may be underfilled at the Major Gifts Associate level for candidates with less than 3 years of experience or depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.

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 Reportinga 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/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.