The Regional Development department is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gifts from individuals through extensive field contact with prospective donors in their assigned regions. The development staff works with donors to determine the appropriate gift vehicles, including cash, securities, real property, etc. The Regional Development Officer will be expected to coordinate their efforts with unit based development officers, central development professionals, and other University personnel where appropriate. 

Starting salary: $85,000- 100,000 based on experience.

Responsibilities

Major Gifts Development (70%)

• Manages a portfolio of major gift prospects. Takes timely and strategic steps in moving prospects through the major gift cycle of identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Utilizes various giving methods such as current, deferred giving, and non-cash gifts. 
• At the direction of the AVP, Central Development, sets annual performance goals as part of the University of Minnesotaâ™s development officer performance system. Performance metrics include: # of major gifts closed, # of major gifts solicited, dollars raised, prospect qualifications, and personal visits. 
• Manage in varying stages of involvement a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors in an assigned geographic area to ensure that timely steps are taken toward solicitation. Support new and emerging markets where a concentration of prospects exists. 
• Develop and implement strategy for each prospect, including ways to increase engagement of donors and prospects in the activities of the University. 
• Build effective, trust-based relationships with collegiate unit partners and decentralized development teams across the University. Collaborate on donor strategies for engagement and solicitation purposes. 
• Utilize both current and planned gift opportunities to best meet donorsâ™ needs, interest, and financial capabilities. 
• Provide regular progress reports on the prospect cultivation and solicitation, and complete and file thorough reports of all contacts in a timely manner. 

Regional Advancement Leadership (20%)

• Serve as primary thought leader for assigned region across the University development community. 
• In collaboration with collegiate unit development colleagues and UMF colleagues, build and execute impactful engagement plans for alums living in assigned region with the goal of growing the overall philanthropic support throughout the region. 
• Help coordinate the planning and execution of high-quality engagement opportunities that are meaningful to those who reside in the assigned region. Emphasize opportunities that are multidisciplinary and showcase the vast impact of the University of Minnesota.

Other Assigned Duties (10%)

• Utilize the Donor Management System (DMS) and its many functions. File timely, accurate, and detailed reports on donors and their philanthropic activities. 
• Position will require extensive travel to assigned region, with a goal of 10-15 personal, one on one meetings on average a month. Attendance at occasional evening and weekend events as needed. 
• Participate in or lead special projects as assigned. Handle other duties and assignments as might be required (e.g. serving on development search committees, process improvement committees, etc.)

Demonstrate commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an equitable and inclusive working and learning environment (exhibit 100% of the time) 

• Continuous learning in diversity, equity and inclusion for oneself and team via training, podcasts, articles, etc.
• Seek to explore and understand cultural differences and create a culture of belonging. 
• Develop and employ anti-racist practices and principles to accomplish work. 
• Advocate for employees of all ethnicities, genders, ages and backgrounds 
• Cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with employees, colleagues, stakeholders, etc.
  
   

Required qualifications:

• Bachelorâ™s degree required. 
• Four or more 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.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, a team-forward approach, political acumen and integrity.
• Desire and ability to establish strong professional relationships with central and unit-based colleagues. 
• Ability to balance personal demands of one to two weeks of national travel per month; comfort with navigating assigned markets via multiple modes of transportation. 
• Strong oral and written communication skills; ability to articulate a clear, compelling case for support. 
• Willingness to enter a highly-collaborative, fast-pace, goal-oriented environment. 
• Aptitude to apply creative and entrepreneurial thinking while presenting sound judgment. 
• Ability to staff occasional local evening and weekend events. 

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience working in a large, complex organization.
• Demonstrated experience in collaborative prospect cultivation and solicitation processes. 
• Significant history (more than six years) of helping individuals with philanthropic giving of $100,000+.
• A sincere commitment to higher education. Experience working at a major, Land Grant Research University. Capital Campaign experience. 

Hybrid Work Model:

The University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF) operates under a hybrid work model, with the expectation that all staff be onsite at least 2-3 times per week. Our office is located in McNamara Alumni Center on the East Bank of the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities campus.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

Connections working at University of Minnesota Twin Cities