The Lead Development Officer (LDO) oversees and directs development activities in the College of Design (CDes) at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. This position is responsible for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive development strategy for the college and managing a multi-faceted development program. The position is responsible for ensuring a strong base of giving to enable the college to achieve its goals. The Lead Development Officer maintains a professional, committed working relationship with the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF).

The Advancement Office consists of Development, College Communications, and Alumni Relations. We support the college by growing a base of committed donors, enriching our engagement with alumni and the public, and enhancing the overall reputation of the college through the stories of faculty recognition, research discoveries, student experiences, and alumni success. We bring our mission, vision, and values to life through a powerful, credible, and aligned narrative and brand. We are optimistic, courageous, team-oriented, creative and innovative. We are committed to attracting candidates from historically underrepresented groups knowing that diversity enriches the academic and professional experience and provides a knowledge base for innovation.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Management (20%):

• Manage the college's operation and strategic direction of the development program in collaboration with the assistant dean, the dean, the University of Minnesota Foundation, and other key university and college staff.
• Provide budget planning and oversight for the development program in consultation with the assistant dean of Strategy and Advancement.
• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise direct reports (gift officers). Develop and implement effective strategies for coaching and developing staff to co-create an environment that is proactive, effective, welcoming, and inclusive.
• Manage performance, including the provision of supportive and constructive feedback, career development opportunities, and corrective action when necessary.

Development Activities (80%):

• Drives complex donor conversations, which include principal gifts, transformational gifts, and community partnerships.
• Provide leadership and strategic planning direction for major gift efforts ($50,000 and above) to ensure that prospect qualification, identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities are seamlessly integrated.
• Maintain responsibility for a major gift portfolio of at least 75 prospects from diverse constituencies (eg: backgrounds, cultures, religions, abilities, etc.).
• Utilize various giving methods such as current, deferred giving, and non-cash gifts. Work with the assistant dean, dean, UMF staff, and the college's development and alumni relations team to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gifts from individuals and organizations.
• Build and maintain a portfolio of major gift prospects to ensure that timely steps are taken toward solicitation, closure and stewardship. Total annual gift production expectations are approximately $2 to $4 million.
• Complete and file timely reports of donor/prospect contacts by utilizing the University of Minnesota Foundation Donor Management System (DMS) database, employing discretion while recording information of relevance to the college and university-wide development and alumni relations staff.
• Oversee the recruitment, activities, and training of volunteers as needed to support fundraising activities for the Driven by Design campaign, as well as future campaigns.
• Through mentoring and coaching, create a culture of philanthropy with faculty and staff to interact effectively with potential donors and volunteers to achieve development success.
• Collaborate with other advancement functions such as alumni relations, marketing, and communications to ensure a coordinated, unified approach to relationships with all college constituents.
• Serve as an effective spokesperson for the values of higher education and the mission of the college to donors and prospects from diverse communities and cultures.

Travel is required within the Twin Cities metropolitan area, the state of Minnesota, and nationally. Attendance at occasional evening and weekend activities is also essential.

Additional Information

• UMN Job Classification: Gift Officer 4a (UMN Job Code # 97174a)
• Working Title: Lead Development Officer
• Department: Advancement, College of Design
• Reports to: Assistant Dean for Strategy and Advancement
• Expected salary range $130,000 to $150,000

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree.
  At least five years of demonstrated ability to successfully solicit major gifts of $50,000 or more; or at least seven years' experience in marketing, consultative sales, public relations, financial advising or a related field with emphasis on relationship cultivation and solicitation of individuals/businesses.
• Demonstrated experience and success leading, supervising, or managing teams or programs.
• Minimum of one year experience managing professional level staff, including the selection, training and performance management of staff.
• Experience successfully managing projects. Demonstrated strong organizational and project management skills.
  Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and persuasively in writing and orally with people from a variety of cultures and communities.
• Evidence of strong interpersonal skills, particularly the ability to lead teams and to work effectively and collaboratively with multiple groups and diverse constituencies.

Preferred

• Demonstrated experience in capital campaigns, prospect management, and prospect tracking.
• Results oriented, adept at planning, prioritizing, organizing and follow-through.
• Successful recruitment, training, and management of volunteers from a broad range of cultures and backgrounds.
• Demonstrated knowledge of basic business terminology, financial matters, and the tax-related issues regarding the solicitation, transfer, and management of charitable gifts.
• Experience navigating complex systems/organizations.
• Familiarity with development programs in higher education or community nonprofit.
• Demonstrated personal interest in or work experience in an educational institution (preferably higher education).
• Familiarity with or work experience in a design organization, or a curiosity about the field of design.

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

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).