Director of Major Gifts, (Bay Area)

About the role

As the Director of Major Gifts, Bay Area, you will direct the major gift program and represent the breadth of the University of Michigan in that region. You will develop and execute 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. You will carry out your primary responsibilities through regular visits with U-M constituents throughout your assigned region. You will focus on ‘fieldwork’ with established donors and on discovering new prospective donors. Regular travel within the region and participation in evening and weekend activities are required. Reports to: Senior Director of Major Gifts, Western States. Supervises: Functional Supervision of Shared Project and Administrative Coordinator.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Develop and manage a portfolio of ~60-80 major gift prospects with emphasis on 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 closely with Senior Director of Major Gifts, Western States, to plan and lead a regional fundraising strategy, in partnership with fellow Director of Major Gifts, Bay Area that supports prospect/donor identification, engagement, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Additional partnership opportunities with Director of Major Gifts, Bay Area will include: Plan and execute events that directly support regional goals; develop collaborative, productive relationships with SCCU colleagues; advise senior campus leadership (deans, directors, executive officers) on donor strategy and trip planning; attend quarterly retreats with 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 the co-lead for the Bay Area Campaign Council and Bay Area NextGen Campaign Council during campaign periods.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and experience.
• Five or more years of development experience in major gifts or other related fields (marketing, banking, or sales).
• 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.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off for vacations, holidays, sick time, season days, and paid parental leave.
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting.
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance.
• Dental and vision insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Long-term disability coverage.
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses.

Pay

If located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the salary range is: $100,000‑$105,000.

If located in Bay Area of California, the salary range is: $123,800‑$128,800.

Schedule

Regular travel within the region and participation in evening and weekend activities are required.