Director of Major Gifts, South & Plains States

To be considered you must be eligible to work in the United States without requiring university sponsorship for continued employment.

All candidates must be located within a commutable distance to key markets in Dallas or Houston, Texas, or within a commutable distance to the Ann Arbor campus.

Open to relocation? Relocation assistance may be available for candidates living outside commutable distance to Dallas or Houston, or the Ann Arbor campus.

The Office of University Development maximizes private support for the University of Michigan.

You will direct the major gift program and represent the breadth of the University of Michigan in that region. You will develop short- and long-term strategies to secure major and planned gifts ($100,000 or more) in collaboration with senior academic leaders and development colleagues within a decentralized development environment. Your primary responsibilities will be met through regular visits to U-M constituents within your assigned region.

You will focus on 'fieldwork' with established donors and on discovering new prospective donors. This role requires regular travel and participation in evening and weekend activities.

Reports to: Senior Director of Major Gifts, Midwestern States

Supervises: Functional Supervision of Shared Project and Administrative Coordinator

Direct Fundraising (70%)

• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major and planned gift prospects through thoughtful, deliberate strategies, producing a stream of donors who can make gifts of $100,000 or more throughout the region.
• Manage a portfolio of ~60-80 major gift prospects with emphasis to those prospects who require a university-wide lens (multiple degrees, demonstrated interest in multiple schools or programs).
• Provide leadership for the region's major and planned gift activities by focusing on prospects under personal management and supporting solicitations directed by other staff. Ensure that major gift prospects are cultivated and solicited deliberately.
• Keep a pace of discovery work throughout the region.
• Maintain a pace of 120+ visits, 15+ asks, and 10+ closed gifts per year.

Strategic Leadership and SCCU Collaboration (20%)

• Work with our Senior Director of Major Gifts, Midwestern States to plan and lead a regional fundraising strategy that supports prospect/donor identification, engagement, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Plan and execute events that directly support regional goals.
• Develop collaborative, productive relationships with our SCCU colleagues.
• Advise our senior campus leadership (deans, directors, executive officers) on donor strategy and trip planning.
• Attend quarterly retreats with our National Major Gifts Team and retreats with the Major Gifts Programs in the Office of University Development.

Volunteer Management (10%)

• Recruit and sustain a volunteer network and committee structure in the region to multiply efforts in prospect identification, cultivation, and solicitation.
• Provide expanded opportunities for prospects to engage with Michigan's academic leaders and one another.
• Be a lead for our Dallas and Houston Campaign Councils during campaign periods.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent education and experience.
• Five or more years of development experience in major gifts or other related fields like marketing, banking, or sales experience.
• Sound knowledge of laws, practices, and philosophy of charitable giving.
• Experience with financial development and/or sales productivity.
• Experience working with and/or managing volunteers in some (preferably professional) capacity.

• Generous paid time off for vacations, holidays, sick time, season days, and paid parental…