University of Michigan

Director of Development

Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy

Working Title

: 

Development Director Lead

Posting Number

: 

65588

Job Category

: 

Fundraising - Director of Development

Experience Range

: 

10 to 15 Years + Management Experience

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.

To apply for this position, please submit your cover letter and resume as one document on the University of Michigan Careers at the U site.

If you are unable to apply via the U-M Jobs site, please submit your cover letter and resume to dev.careers@umich.edu. In the subject line, please type in the Job ID# for which you are applying.

For questions about the U-M application process, please refer to the FAQ page

Position Description

The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy invites applications for its Director of Development position. The director of development will lead the school's fundraising activities, and help to dramatically raise the school's visibility as the University prepares to celebrate 100 years of policy education, research and engagement in 2014. We invite applications from proven leaders with exceptional people and project management skills, demonstrated fund- and friend-raising capabilities, and a passion for solving pressing societal challenges through effective, well-crafted public policy.

ABOUT THE FORD SCHOOL
The Ford School is one of the nation's foremost policy schools, housed at one of the world's great public universities. We lead research that illuminates public policy challenges and opportunities. We prepare future policy leaders and analysts for dynamic careers in the public and private sectors here in the U.S. and around the world. We work with policymakers to inform and improve local, state, national, and international policies. We foster dialogue and understanding about the most pressing policy challenges of today.

The Ford School has earned a reputation for academic rigor and excellence; a strong and growing commitment to diversity; and a collegial, welcoming, and stimulating interdisciplinary community. We are housed in Joan and Sanford Weill Hall, a celebrated facility in the heart of the University of Michigan's central campus in Ann Arbor. To learn more about the Ford School's mission and activities, including our bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate programs, please visit www.fordschool.umich.edu

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to the dean of the Ford School, the director of development will be an essential member of the dean's advisory team, setting the strategic direction for all fundraising and donor engagement. This position will enable us to expand and deepen understanding of the Ford School and its myriad accomplishments among new and existing constituencies, and to secure the public and private support essential to fulfill the school's mission.

The director will be responsible for designing and implementing strategies to expand the school's prospect pool, identify and pursue prospects for the school's campaign priorities, solicit major gifts, steward major gift benefactors, and plan the solicitation of prospects by the dean. In addition, this position will actively collaborate with the dean, faculty and the school's senior leadership to define and implement an overarching advancement strategy.

The director of development will provide leadership and management for the development team. This includes, providing leadership to staff; helping to set and evaluate individual goals; developing and sustaining appropriate training; mentoring and enhancing effective collaboration among team members; and assigning and monitoring coverage of primary areas of focus as needed.

Manage development activities. This includes, but is not limited to:
-Proactively and cooperatively identifying and managing a portfolio of individual major gift prospects and donors, with an emphasis on gifts of $100K and more.
-Working with staff to develop and fine-tune plans for annual and campaign fundraising; stewardship activities, including donor and scholarship events; class gifts; and corporate and foundation relations.
-Collaborating with Alumni Relations staff to enhance alumni communication, participation, and giving.
-Developing, planning, and directing the solicitation of school prospects by the dean, faculty directors, provost, vice president for development and president. .
-Providing support to the dean related to fundraising activities, including strategically and proactively planning for the dean's fundraising travel; providing briefing materials for meetings and visits; and drafting correspondence.
-Identifying, assessing, analyzing, and designing appropriate strategies for approaching prospects and making the vitally important match between donors' philanthropic interests and the school's programmatic and curricular needs. Specifically, this includes short and long-term planning of solicitations and the analysis of prospects with respect to size of ask, areas of interest, timing of solicitations, and identification of compelling needs within the school.
-Working with the dean, chief administrative officer, faculty, and senior administration of the school to articulate funding priorities and communicate the school's funding objectives to internal and external constituencies.
-Identifying corporate and foundation prospects that are a good match for the school and hold promise of funding programs, projects, research, and outreach activities through gifts, in-kind contributions, or grants.
-Working closely with campus constituents such as the Office of University Development and other schools and colleges on campus, as well as with outside partners to increase understanding of the Ford School mission and impact.
-Working with the development team to direct research on prospects by the Office of University Development's research department.

Collaborate with school leadership, faculty, students and alumni to create a well rounded understanding of the school?s programs and resources that can be leveraged for donor development, donor engagement and major giving.

Work in partnership with the director of communications and outreach to oversee the expansion and implementation of the Ford School?s advancement agenda.

Develop relationships and collaborations within the Ford School to advance the goals of the school, including with its Student & Academic Services office, Graduate Career Services and Alumni Relations; Communications and Outreach, and its excellent research centers.

Represent the school and the University at designated functions, as required.

Manage an annual development budget in consultation with the strategic planning team, dean, and financial staff.

Initiate regular reports, conduct studies, analyze data, and perform other tasks related to development at the direction of the dean and senior administrators.

NOTE: This position requires frequent travel, both domestic and international.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree highly desired.

Managerial and supervisory experience required.

A minimum of ten years of significant achievement in a broad-based development role in a complex matrix organization, ideally with experience in higher education. Comprehensive campaign planning for a multi-faceted institution is a plus.

Demonstrated understanding of strategic communications and their use in advancing institutional goals. Proven success in building productive, long-term relationships with senior university administrators, faculty, staff, institutional boards, volunteers, and donors.

A track record of working closely with senior leaders and providing the support necessary to ensure their success in development activities.

Demonstrated ability to formulate strategic plans, implement programs, and evaluate the success of these initiatives.

Extensive knowledge, training, and experience in the area of major gifts, with proven success in gift closure at the six-and seven-figure level.

Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, demonstrating personal integrity, creativity, flexibility, and accountability.

Extensive working knowledge of foundation and corporate missions, goals, cultures, and organizational reporting requirements.

Proven ability to work in and an appreciation for an interdisciplinary and diverse community environment.

A passion for higher education and public policy.

Proven ability to mentor and develop a high functioning work team.

Proven ability to collaborate across unit boundaries and build consensus.

Ability to effectively deal with ambiguity and uncertainty in the workplace.

Knowledge of university policies, procedures, and culture desired.

Additional Information

Salary is based upon experience

Mission Statement

The Office of University Development maximizes private support for the University of Michigan through high-quality collaboration with the development programs of schools, colleges, and units. We also provide fundraising leadership through the stimulation and facilitation of healthy, productive and life-long relationships with our colleagues, alumni, friends, foundations and corporations.

U-M EEO/AA Statement: The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.