Senior Director of Major Gifts, Western States

Job Summary

The Senior Director of Major Gifts, Western States, leads the major gifts program for the Western States (California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and New Mexico). The Senior Director will manage two Directors of Major Gifts and a Project and Administrative Coordinator. You will manage a portfolio of donors who can make a six-figure outright or planned gift. Gift work will be done in partnership with senior academic leaders and development colleagues.

Travel and participation in evening and weekend events are required.

Reports to:

Senior Executive Director, National Major Gifts

Manages:
Two Directors of Major Gifts, California, and a Project and Administrative Coordinator

• Must be within commutable distance of the greater Los Angeles area, the Bay Area of California, or the Ann Arbor campus. Candidates located within commutable distance of the California locations are preferred.

Ann Arbor, MI: $140,000 - $150,000;
Greater Los Angeles or Bay Area of California: $156,800 - $168,000.

• Direct Fundraising (60%)
  • Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major and planned‑gift prospects. The goal is to build a pipeline of donors who can make $100,000 or more in gifts throughout the region.
  • Manage a portfolio of ~60‑80 major gift prospects with emphasis on those prospects who require or benefit from a university‑wide approach (multiple degrees, demonstrated interest in multiple schools or programs).
  • Provide leadership for the region's major and planned‑gift activity by focusing on prospects under personal management and supporting solicitations directed by other staff. Ensure that major gift prospects are deliberately cultivated and solicited.
  • Maintain a pace of 120+ visits, 15+ asks, and 10+ closes per year.
• Strategic Leadership and SCCU Collaboration (15%)
  • Maintain oversight of the quality and quantity of major gift activity in the region to ensure that the best prospects are being engaged.
  • Work with OUD and National Major Gifts leadership to lead principal‑gift strategy and activity across the region.
  • Work with directors to create and lead regional fundraising strategies that support prospect/donor identification, engagement, solicitation, and stewardship.
  • Develop collaborative, productive relationships with SCCU colleagues.
  • Build events that support regional goals.
  • Advise senior campus leadership (deans, directors, executive officers) on donor strategy and trip planning.
  • Attend quarterly retreats with the National Major Gifts Team and with the Major Gifts Programs in the Office of University Development.
• Management and Management (15%)
  • Establish clear goals; monitor progress and hold staff accountable; plan, prioritize and delegate work.
  • Hire and onboard staff; foster professional growth through coaching, feedback, and career development; manage performance, recognizing achievements and addressing issues.
• Volunteer Management (10%)
  • Recruit and sustain a campaign volunteer network and committee structure for the Campaign Councils in the Western States markets to multiply efforts in prospect identification, cultivation, and solicitation.
  • Be the lead for a regional Campaign Council. Partner with the Directors of Major Gifts, California, and the Senior Executive Director.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent education and experience.
• Seven or more years of development experience, with at least five years of significant major gift experience working with gifts of $100,000 and above.
• Sound knowledge of laws, practices, and philosophy of charitable giving.
• Experience working with and/or managing volunteers in some (preferably professional) capacity.
• Work with colleagues in a team environment.
• Discretion and the ability to maintain a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Commitment to the mission of public higher education.

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment.

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.