Associate Vice President, Central Development

Provide overall management and strategic guidance for the University of Minnesota Foundation's (UMF) Central Development Program and the departments within it: Regional Development and Leadership Annual Giving. Work cross-functionally at UMF and across the University development community to build teams and partners to drive philanthropic support from a national network of alumni and friends. Design and implement alumni/donor engagement plans for the University's key national markets that showcase the full breadth of the University's research and discovery mission. Provide leadership and mentorship across the regional and leadership annual giving teams to maximize fundraising results. Personally manage a portfolio of major gift donors/prospects with a focus on securing gifts of $100K+.

Starting salary: $180,000- $200,000 based on experience

Responsibilities:

Leadership of Central Development Programs (35%)

Regional Program:

• In close collaboration with the SVP, develop a vision and highly-strategic approach for supporting best-in-class regional program.
• Ensure the regional program has clear objectives, measurable outcomes and aspirational annual work plan goals, and are clearly positioned for U-wide benefit and service.
• Position the regional team as critical advisors/experts in the engagement of alumni in key national markets for the U -wide development community.
• Provide leadership for fundraising planning, including implementation of new, on-going, or one-time fundraising projects, programs, and initiatives. Work closely with UMF and college/campus partners to ensure clear understanding of program objectives and expected outcomes, and seek new strategic partnerships through implementation.
• Serve as a visible, approachable, and highly collaborative leader and mentor to the regional fundraising team. Working closely with the teams grow skill levels in fundraising, cross-functional, and cross-unit collaboration to achieve outstanding results.
• Provide program and budget oversight, ensuring resources are effectively utilized.

Leadership Annual Giving Program:

• Working closely with the Director of Leadership Annual Giving (LAG), the AVP will provide strategic guidance and support for achieving the program's core objectives. Set clear, measurable, and aspirational annual goals that align with the program's mission.
• Ensure the LAG program is positioned for maximum impact across the U-wide development community with an emphasis on growing major gift pipelines and talent development.
• Create and nurture purposeful and intentional synergies with regional fundraising team to maximize major gift pipeline development and fundraising success.
• Develop strong relationships with cross-functional UMF partners, including prospect development, annual giving, data analytics, and gift planning to best equip LAG program with the full array of UMF resources.
• Provide strong strategic guidance and mentorship to the Director of LAG. Be a visible thought partner with LAG team with an eye towards developing future development talent for the benefit of the university.

Portfolio Management (50%)

• Personally engage and manage a dynamic portfolio of regional and international donors and prospects capable of making gifts of $100K+, including conducting discovery/qualification work as appropriate.
• Model a high level of collaboration and performance while engaging top level donor prospects. Seek to build trust among partners and stakeholders through a high level of collaboration, partnership, communication and transparency.
• Working with SVP, set annual personal fundraising goals in alignment with UMF's development officer metric and performance system.
• Working closely with UMF and decentralized development leaders, ensure top level national and international benefactors are effectively engaged and activities are coordinated as part of broader U-wide strategies.
• Model a high level of collaboration and performance while engaging top level donor prospects. Seek to build trust among partners and stakeholders through an unwavering commitment to, partnership, communication and transparency.
• Complete, file and maintain accurate, relevant and timely reports and records of donor/prospect contacts by utilizing the donor database, employing discretion while recording information of relevance to appropriate individuals.

Serve as a Senior Development Leader (10%)

• Provide counsel to SVP of Central Development and other UMF leaders on development programs, initiatives, and emerging opportunities, and gather and formulate strategic positions to guide evaluation and decision-making processes.
• Mentor and provide guidance to development officers regarding best practices in alumni engagement and fundraising, trip planning and follow up, stewardship of donors, and building working relationships with faculty.
• Serve as a representative of the SVP of Central Development in meetings or with activities as assigned.

Perform Other Strategic and Related Duties (5%)

• Provide program leadership during transitions and lead other emerging or one-time activities that support broader Development priorities, regardless of whether in the central development programs unit.
• Seek new or creative opportunities to provide team members professional growth experiences, including mentoring, coaching, and other activities that require personal commitment to help grow new generation of fundraising professionals and leaders.
• Perform other fundraising and related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and twelve years of demonstrated ability to successfully solicit major gifts; or experience in marketing, sales, public relations, financial advisement or related field with emphasis on relationship cultivation and solicitation of individuals/businesses.
• Experience leading, supervising, or managing development teams or programs.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising/giving activities, and donor cultivation, solicitation, and closure of significant gifts.
• Demonstrated experience in program development, implementation, and review, as well as budget and resource management.
• Demonstrated experience in capital campaigns, targeted program and project campaigns and activities, and multi-unit initiatives.
• Proven ability to build and lead teams, both within unit, as well as across teams and institution-wide.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence, transparency, and high levels of collaboration toward outstanding results.
• Demonstrated ability to independently develop and analyze alternative solutions and make recommendations; strategic and conceptual thinker with ability to translate complex issues and opportunities to operational objectives; ability to manage multiple priorities and exercise authority to meet goals.
• Demonstrated ability in managing and mentoring staff, including experience with hiring, performance management, and skills assessment and coaching.
• Proven ability to operate in a complex environment, while demonstrating flexibility, collaboration, and leadership skills to build cooperation of partners and stakeholders.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively both domestically and internationally

Preferred Qualifications:

• 12+ years of development experience and five+ years of development leadership experience
• Prior experience in a large, research intensive university setting
• Prior experience within a regional and/or international fundraising environment
• Master's degree

About the Department

At the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF), our mission is to connect passion with possibility, inspire generosity, and support greatness at the University of Minnesota by placing donors at the heart of everything we do and every decision we make. UMF is a nonprofit organization responsible for raising and managing gifts to the University of Minnesota.

For more information about UMF, please visit https://give.umn.edu/about/about-umf.

Benefits

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also 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

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

How To Apply

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.

Diversity

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

Employment Requirements

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.

About the U of M

University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC)

With a strong tradition of technology-enhanced teaching and learning, the University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) serves as the U's major outpost in Northwest Minnesota. UMC provides both experiential, career-oriented degree programs as well as high-quality online programs, while connecting its teaching, research, and outreach to rural economic development and service to the region and beyond.

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).