giving.umich.edu

Working Title: Development Director Senior
Posting Number: 57013
Job Category: Fundraising - Director of Development
Reports To: Dean, School of Nursing
Experience Range: 7 to 10 Years

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.

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Position Description

The Director of Development and External Relations is the chief development officer who sets the strategic direction for all fundraising and external relations for the School of Nursing, with over 11,000 alumni. Directs annual giving, major and planned gifts, stewardship, alumni relations and media relations. Responsible for personal solicitation of major and planned gifts, as well as planning and directing the solicitation of prospects by the Dean of the School, among other faculty and senior administrators. Conceives and implements strategies for the School’s prospects as well as identifies and pursues prospects for the School’s campaign priorities.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

Fundraising (80%)

The Director of Development and External Relations will partner with the Dean to build and implement a robust development program. He or she will lead all aspects of development and external relations for the School of Nursing. This includes but is not limited to:

Develop and implement comprehensive strategic plans for annual and campaign fundraising; ongoing major and planned gift development; stewardship activities including donor and scholarship events; alumni communication, participation and giving; and corporate and foundation relations and engagement.
Proactively and cooperatively identify and manage a portfolio of 150 to 200 individual major gift prospects and donors, with an emphasis on gifts of $100K and above. Identify, assess, analyze and conceive appropriate strategies for approaching, cultivating, and soliciting prospects and making the vitally important selection of the appropriate donor’s interest match with the program and curricular needs within the School.
Identify fundraising priorities in partnership with the Dean; plan and direct the cultivation and solicitation of School prospects by the Dean, President, Provost and Vice President for Development. Advise individual faculty, Divisions and Centers regarding securing funds for special projects.
Provide executive staff support to the Dean related to fundraising activities including: strategic planning for Dean’s fundraising travel, providing briefing materials for meetings and visits and drafting correspondence. Partner with the Dean in coordinating travel to maximize use of her time.
In collaboration with the Dean, Chief Administrative Officer, faculty and senior administration of the School, articulate funding priorities and communicate the School’s funding objectives to both internal and external constituencies. Work closely with the senior staff, faculty and Associate Deans of the School strategically and serve with them in an overall advisory capacity to the Dean.
Ensure maintenance of electronic prospect files and information utilizing University development and alumni relations database (currently DAC, converting to DART), generating thank you letters, initiating and maintaining communication (written and verbal) with School of Nursing prospects and donors.
In collaboration with the Office of University Development, drive prospect management and related record-keeping and communications, as well as prospect research and portfolio analytics.
Initiate reports, conduct studies, analyze data and perform other tasks related to development at the direction of the Dean and senior administrators.

External Relations (10%)

The Director of Development and External Relations will provide leadership for the School’s communications strategy. This includes but is not limited to:

Provide leadership and direction for the School’s alumni relations program, including the Alumni Board, alumni communications, and reunion programs.
Develop and implement outreach programming for the School, including staff leadership of the Dean’s Advisory Board.
Build and enhance an overall awareness of the School of Nursing’s programs and development and alumni opportunities through marketing initiatives, Dean’s communications and media relations.
Direct the development and production of electronic and print materials for fundraising activities, as well as for continued communication with alumni and friends of the School.

Leadership and Management (10%)

The Director of Development and External Relations will provide leadership and management to Development and External Relations staff. This includes but is not limited to:

Set and evaluate individual goals, develop and sustain appropriate training, mentoring, and assigning and monitoring coverage of primary area of focus.
Perform general administrative duties to Nursing and U-M Development requirements. Prepare an annual development and external relations budget and strategic plan in consultation with the development team, Dean and business manager and financial staff at the School.

Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree highly desirable.
A minimum of eight years fundraising experience in academic or medical fund raising at a school or university with a comprehensive development program. Comprehensive campaign experience at a multi-faceted institution is a plus.
Proven success in solicitation and gift closure at the six-and seven-figure level is expected.
Demonstrated leadership ability to develop strategic plans, implement programs, organize, initiate, and motivate is required.
Ability to multi-task, attention to detail, and consistent and thorough follow-through expected.
Candidate will be an articulate individual with personal integrity, strong interpersonal skills, creative, flexible, organized and self-motivated, with good planning and follow-through.
Ability to use discretion and maintain a high level of confidentiality.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and oral.
Strong ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively with development officers in other Schools and Colleges as well as with the Office of University Development and a strong ability to work in, and an appreciation for a very interdisciplinary and diverse School and University.
Ability and willingness to travel, work outside the normal workday, and effectively deal with ambiguity and uncertainty in the workplace.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of University policies, procedures and culture is desired and an appreciation for the unique role of education in the context of a major public research university is expected.
Strong understanding of the Nursing field is preferred.

Additional Information

Salary is commensurate based on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. We encourage all interested parties to apply.

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.

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