Development Officer, College of Liberal Arts

The College of Liberal Arts development team is a high-performing, mission-driven fundraising enterprise that consistently secures more than $25 million in philanthropic support annually. This dynamic team is composed of skilled, strategic development professionals who advance both college-wide priorities and department-level initiatives. With a proven record of cultivating meaningful donor relationships, the team plays a pivotal role in driving philanthropic investment that fuels the College’s academic excellence, research innovation, and student success.

Operating within the University of Minnesota Foundation’s fundraising model—designed to create and ensure the most gratifying gift experience—the CLA team embraces a culture of partnership, collaboration, and shared purpose in pursuit of exceptional outcomes for donors, the University, and the broader community.

About the role

The Development Officer is a high-performing fundraiser and strategic partner responsible for driving philanthropic growth and securing major gifts for the College of Liberal Arts. Reports to the Sr. Development Director for CLA.

Responsibilities

• Fundraising & Donor Engagement (90%)
  • Engage in face-to-face meaningful donor work that advances gift conversations and supports the University of Minnesota, ensuring a gratifying gift experience for all donors.
  • Prospect Management: Actively identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a balanced, healthy portfolio of major gift prospects through consistent outreach and relationship building. Serve as the philanthropic advisor/thought partner to donors, helping translate academic priorities into compelling, fundable initiatives.
  • Under the direction of leadership, develop a blended portfolio, breaking down departmental silos to allow for "big idea" gift opportunities in addition to core unit priorities.
  • Assist with the operational framework for specific fundraising initiatives, ensuring alignment with University of Minnesota Foundation standards and strategic vision.
  • Serve as a member of the overall development team by collaborating with colleagues across disciplines on donor strategies, maintaining timely, accurate reports and information.
  • Perform work within a framework of commitment to production, collaboration, innovation, and purpose.
  • Develop and maintain a thorough working knowledge of unit priorities.
  • Manage and lead specific fundraising projects as assigned.
• Other Duties as Assigned (10%)
  • Collaborate in the planning and production of fundraising activities to define philanthropic goals, donor engagement targets, and logistical frameworks.
  • Participate in ongoing professional development and training to stay current on philanthropic trends and advanced fundraising methodologies.
  • Document all donor interactions and touchpoints by entering detailed contact reports to ensure accurate relationship tracking and seamless team-wide communication.
  • Impact Reporting: Review and provide input on specialized impact reports for donors, showing exactly how their funds supported a specific unit or initiative.

Performance Metrics: UMFway Guidelines FY27

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 4 years of fundraising or related experience.
• Ability to lead with an entrepreneurial spirit, constantly pursuing solutions and effective/efficient enhancements.
• Skills in high-standard accountability paired with empathetic mentorship.
• Deep understanding of goal-setting frameworks and performance metrics.
• Ability to maintain a growth mindset in all deliverables.
• Willingness to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Ability to maintain a valid Minnesota driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

• 6 or more years of fundraising experience.
• Experience in higher education advancement and nonprofit fundraising.
• Proven success in donor cultivation and donor management systems.

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.

Pay

Pay Range: $88,000–100,000, depending on education, qualifications, and experience.

Time Appointment: 100% appointment. Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff.

Benefits

• 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.