Vice President, Chief Development Officer

University Musical Society (UMS) is seeking a Vice President and Chief Development Officer (VP/CDO) to serve as a key institutional leader and strategic partner to the UMS President. This role involves designing and leading a comprehensive fundraising program, including annual, major, planned, and endowment giving; foundation and corporate giving; and donor engagement. The VP/CDO will manage a portfolio of key donors and prospects, actively support the President, Board, and staff in fundraising efforts, and align resources to deliver a strategic fundraising plan.

Now in its 148th season, UMS is a nationally admired performing arts presenter based on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor. As an independent 501(c)3 organization, UMS complements and leverages the resources of a world-class university while serving as a public-facing cultural hub. UMS is financially healthy, with an endowment exceeding $50M and an annual budget of approximately $11M.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead a comprehensive development program that includes annual, major, planned, and endowment giving; foundation and corporate giving; and donor engagement.
• Develop an ambitious strategic and operational fundraising plan to support UMS activities, ensuring a clear and trackable process for sustainable long-term growth in philanthropic contributions.
• Proactively identify and manage a portfolio of individual major gift prospects and donors, with an emphasis on gifts of $100K and more.
• Guide and support the UMS President as a partner, coach, and co-strategist on the cultivation and solicitation of transformational gifts.
• Design cultivation and solicitation strategies, and execute prompt and effective follow-up communications, activities, and stewardship.
• Assist with creating proposals, annual mailings, targeted solicitations, and stewardship materials that communicate UMS's vision to patrons and donors.
• Work closely with UMS staff, the Board of Directors, the Senate (128-member group of former Board members), Campaign Council, corporate sponsors, and current and prospective patrons.
• Manage a staff of eight and train new team members to ensure the Development office functions effectively.
• Set clearly defined and measurable goals for the Development team and establish metrics to assess individual and team performance.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Administration & Finance, Patron Services, Marketing & Communications, Learning & Engagement, and Production & Programming teams to ensure integrated planning and execution.
• Liaise with the university’s central campus development team (OUD) when appropriate.
• Serve as an active and visible member of the Ann Arbor and Southeast Michigan community, building positive relations for UMS with individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Act as the development liaison for the UMS Campaign Council, the Development Committee, and the Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Board members.
• Participate actively in UMS management as a member of the management team and staff programming committee, advocating for key aspects of UMS (e.g., marketing, education, audience development).

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of five years of experience in a significant development and fundraising role for a nonprofit institution.
• Commitment to UMS’s mission: to inspire individuals and enrich communities by connecting audiences and artists in uncommon and engaging experiences.
• Familiarity with and passion for the performing arts, with the ability to quickly learn UMS’s history, mission, and current programming.
• An entrepreneurial, creative approach to identifying new funding opportunities and partnerships.
• Experience working with six- and seven-figure gifts and leading a team and volunteers to cultivate and solicit major donors.
• Familiarity with and commitment to utilizing a CRM system in fundraising, preferably Tessitura, DART, or a comparable system.
• Excellent communication skills, including strong writing, presentation, and public speaking abilities.
• Ability to work successfully with volunteers and collaborate in a team environment.
• Ability to interact with high-level donors and maintain confidentiality.
• Willingness to travel frequently and work evenings and weekends as needed.

Benefits

• Comprehensive training and career development opportunities.
• Generous retirement savings plans.
• Ample paid time off.
• A wealth of family care support.

Pay

$200,000 per year.

Schedule

This position is classified as hybrid, requiring in-person work on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor. Flexibility to work outside regular business hours is required to meet job responsibilities.