AD Officer 3-Major Gifts

The College of Design at the University of Minnesota is seeking a full-time Development Officer (DO). Reporting to the Lead Development Officer at the College of Design, the Development Officer position is a front-line fundraiser responsible for managing a portfolio of prospects capable of making major gifts, currently defined as $50,000 and above. This position is responsible for the independent management of a dynamic portfolio of donors. The development officer will identify, cultivate, solicit, close, and steward major gifts, both current and deferred to the College of Design. This position works closely with other development staff, the dean, college faculty and the University of Minnesota Foundation staff. This position will work primarily with individuals to determine their philanthropic passions, and close gifts in support of collegiate and departmental fundraising priorities.

The salary range for this position is: $80,000 - $95,000

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Major Gift Fundraising: 80%

• Meet annual goals established with the Lead Development Officer for metrics including: major gifts closed, major gift solicitations, funds raised, personal face-to-face visits and prospect qualification
• In coordination with the Lead Development Officer, develop and execute annual strategic work plan designed to achieve both individual metric goals and School-wide priorities
• Serve as the primary contact manager for a portfolio of major gift prospects capable of making gifts of $50,000 and above.
• Responsible for all aspects of the donor continuum, including cultivation, solicitation, closure and stewardship. Build, maintain, and monitor relationships with prospects and benefactors
• Work closely with the College of Design's advancement team, academic leadership (including Dean and faculty) and University of Minnesota Foundation leadership to create an articulate and compelling case for support for the unit.
• Present timely and strategic gift opportunities to donors for their support. Conduct follow up communications to develop and implement strategies that may involve the University of Minnesota President, College leaders, board members, fellow benefactors, staff, faculty, students and volunteers to participate in the cultivations and solicitations.
• Clears and coordinates prospective donors through the University of Minnesota Foundation's procedures to ensure effective contact/solicitation of the donors which maximizes the gift to the University and the donor's satisfaction with the institution.
• Partners and collaborates with the University of Minnesota Foundation's services, as necessary.
  

Collaborative Advancement Efforts: 20%

• Perform development-related administrative duties including timely entry of contact reports, DMS updates, budget management, case statement development, and major gift cultivation events
• Provide visible leadership across the entire organization as a member of Institutional Advancement's major gift staff by engaging in organization-wide activities such as development meetings, all-staff meetings, and staff events
• Work closely and effectively with Institutional Advancement's Alumni Relations and Annual Giving staff to expand prospect identification and enhance engagement .
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  *The employer reserves the right to change or assign other duties to this position*

Required

• BA/BS degree and at least four years of experience which demonstrates an ability to successfully solicit major gifts; or similar experience in marketing, sales, public relations, financial advisement or related field with emphasis on relationship cultivation and solicitation of individuals/businesses.
• Strong oral and written communication skills; ability to articulate a strong and compelling case for support.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to demonstrate ability to create strong professional relationships with colleagues at the College, Foundation, and University.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively represent the interests and fundraising priorities of the College, while also maintaining a high degree of enterprise perspective by acting in the best interests of the University and Foundation at all times.
• Strategic, hardworking, and able to work with a high degree of flexibility in a highly-collaborative, fast-paced, and goal-oriented environment.
• Ability to apply creative and entrepreneurial thinking, while applying sound judgment and conducting oneself with integrity.
• Ability to effectively work with volunteer boards to assist with donor relationship development and to advance significant philanthropic support for the college.
• Access to reliable transportation and ability to travel for donor meetings.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as necessary.
  

Preferred

• Significant history (more than five years) of helping individuals with philanthropic giving of $50,000 or more.
• Demonstrated experience in benefactor/prospect cultivation and solicitation process vehicles.
• A strong commitment to higher education.
• Experience working at a major, public, land grant research university.
• Experience advancing philanthropic campaigns.
  

Located in a major design city and in one of the largest research universities in the US, the University of Minnesota's College of Design encompasses a full range of design disciplines-including landscape architecture, architecture, retail merchandising, and the design of interiors, graphics, apparel, and other products. Faculty, students, and staff aim to advance the quality of manufactured objects and our natural, built, and social environments through sustainably resilient, socially responsible, civically engaged, and life-centered design collaborations. Learn more at design.umn.edu.

About the University of Minnesota Foundation

The University of Minnesota Foundation is a key partner with the University in building and sustaining excellence among students and faculty, and fueling discovery in important areas. The Foundation accomplishes this by raising gifts and other private resources, investing and managing endowed funds for long-term growth, and stewarding gifts to ensure they are used as donors intend. For more information, visit www.give.umn.edu.

About the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus

The Twin Cities is a major design hub, home to design-oriented Fortune 500 companies such as Target, 3M, General Mills, Best Buy, and Medtronic, several international and national award-winning architecture practices, thriving local businesses, and a strong non-profit sector. Our students have a wide range of internship opportunities, our graduates enjoy high employment rates, and our alumni are highly engaged with current students and faculty. We take pride in the University of Minnesota's designations as a Research 1 and Community-Engaged University, which provide foundations for many of our award-winning projects.

The Twin Cities campus is located in an increasingly diverse region at the heart of an increasingly global Midwest, with eleven federally recognized tribal nations, the largest urban Native American population in the country, and growing African American, Latino and Chicano, and Asian American populations. The links between Minnesota communities and communities around the world are notable: Minneapolis-Saint Paul now hosts the largest number of people of Somali descent outside of Somalia and the nation's largest urban Hmong-American population. The region's internationally engaged businesses, small and large arts organizations, non-profits, and multifaceted communities create a rich context for learning, partnerships, and engagement with local and global issues and perspectives.

Pay Range: $80,000 - $95,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).