Sr. Director of Engagement and External Relations

The Senior Director of Engagement and External Relations for the College of Continuing and Professional Studies is responsible for developing and implementing an advancement strategy that deepens engagement with key stakeholders and expands support for the College's programs and students. This role will work with college leadership, instructors, staff, and alumni to shape and guide the advancement program. The Senior Director reports to the Dean and is a member of the Leadership Team, bringing the important perspectives of long-term, relationship-based advancement goals to our deliberations. The Senior Director works closely with the University of Minnesota Foundation and has a dotted line reporting structure to UMF's designated Liaison. This position will manage a full time alumni and annual giving role. It is expected that the work will be conducted in an office on campus 3 days a week.

Work for a phenomenal team and College that's learner centered!

The University of Minnesota is committed to fostering local talent through employment opportunities. While this position utilizes a hybrid modality, prospective applicants must be located either in the state of Minnesota or near the Wisconsin border or otherwise open to relocation.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Advancement and External Relations Strategy (50%)

• Work with College leadership to develop a program advancement and external relations strategy, and annually monitor the strategy and calibrate its impact
• Help build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders to garner various forms of program support, including scholarships and internships, active advisory boards, program advocacy and visibility, and other support that comes from successful stakeholder engagement.
• Work with programs to identify needs and opportunities for acquiring gifts of $25,000+ to support program priorities and initiatives, and partner with the University of Minnesota Foundation to develop strategies to obtain them.
• Manage a portfolio of major gift prospective donors and create and drive personalized strategies.
• Drives complex donor conversations, which include planned gifts, transformational gifts, and community partnerships.
• Provide leadership and strategic planning direction for annual giving and major gift efforts to ensure that prospect qualification, identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities are seamlessly integrated.
• Achieve annual personal and college production goals.

Engagement and outreach (50%)

• Partner with the Dean to develop overall college vision and lead in communicating vision to prospective donors and donors
• Develop and lead campaign strategies
• Provide leadership for the design and delivery of events that engage alumni, such as homecoming, program anniversary celebrations, recognition events, etc., collaborating with program, marketing, and other staff as appropriate.
• Partner with the college marketing staff to develop and implement communication strategies for alumni, key stakeholders, and employer organizations.
• Participate in key engagement events.
• Oversee and expand the outcomes for the annual giving campaign, and in coordination with the U of M Foundation, expand the pipeline of future major donors for the College.
• Attend alumni relations officers meetings and build relationships with University Alumni Officers to share ideas and best practices.
• Interface with UMF staff to coordinate UMF support for fundraising efforts, and ensure that appropriate policies and practices with respect to fundraising are followed.
• Work with internal program leaders and other staff to ensure excellent stewardship of gifts and external support.

Required

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education
• At least eight years of combined experience with progressive responsibility in alumni relations and development
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity
• Demonstrated ability to develop and grow long-term relationships with key audiences
• Experience engaging with stakeholders at events, small group meetings, and one-on-one
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently and perform as an effective and reliable team member
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple activities and priorities simultaneously

Preferred

• Graduate degree or advanced studies
• Ten or more years of combined experience with progressive responsibility in alumni relations and development
• Project management experience in higher education or public organizations
• Record of commitment to learning through involvement with pertinent professional organizations

Are you excited about this job and meet the required qualifications, but your past experience does not align perfectly with every preferred qualification? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. If this is you, we strongly encourage you to apply because you just may be the right candidate for this role.

In CCAPS you'll find a flexible, hybrid work environment and supportive colleagues who are committed to empowering lifelong learners to achieve their educational goals in a learner-centric environment where diverse ideas, backgrounds, and identities are embraced.

CCAPS has a large and diverse portfolio of program offerings, including bachelor's and master's degrees, professional development offerings for practitioners, pre-college programs for high school students, English language programs, and lifelong learning for personal enrichment. Across all the work done in and by CCAPS, we strive daily to live our core values of Access, Learning, Inclusivity, Collaboration, and Excellence.

Pay Range: $100,000-$120,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 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 have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Please address all required qualifications in either your cover letter or CV/Resume in order to be fully considered for the position. Submit a resume, and the names, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of three current professional references.

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.

*Please note, we are not offering H-1B or Green Card sponsorship for this position.

This position will remain open until until filled. Priority consideration given to those who apply by July 7th.

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

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

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).