Officer

Location

Minneapolis, MN | United States

Job description

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, plus at least six years of related professional experience in fundraising, alumni relations or a closely related field.
• Experience with development writing.
• Ability to apply technology based tools to collect, interpret, and analyze critical management information.
• Ability to proactively, effectively, and efficiently manage a portfolio working tactfully with a diverse group of internal and external constituents.
• Robust attention to detail.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity.
• A highly collaborative mindset with success in working in a team setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Innovative, strategic thinker; ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment.
• Experience managing or working on direct mail solicitations and other annual giving strategies.
• Experience with Salesforce or similar email marketing platform.
• Evidence of experience or significant professional development with institutional advancement, nonprofit, or higher education focus.
• Ability to develop, communicate, and execute strategies with clear metrics of success.
• Familiarity with advancement efforts within academic environments, especially higher education.
• Demonstrated ability to interact with senior-level executives and professionals.
• Ability to design and implement stewardship and cultivation strategies.

Position Overview

The Annual Giving & Donor Relations Officer is a key member of the College of Education and Human Development’s (CEHD) External Relations team. This position ensures connected and engaged alumni, and a strong base of charitable giving to enable the college to further its ambitious goals. The Annual Giving & Donor Relations Officer will plan, execute and evaluate a complex multi-segment, multi-channel annual giving program, including solicitations in partnership with the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF), and affinity giving including leadership annual giving, faculty and staff giving, and giving to CEHD’s Access Scholarship and the Dean’s Fund for Excellence.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated success in managing projects and/or programs, robust writing and communication skills, strong attention to detail, and an interest in philanthropy and creating messages and communication strategies that engage and educate the CEHD community.

This position reports to the Senior Advancement Operations Officer and is evaluated on the following goals:

• Securing new annual donors
• Retaining annual donors and decreasing attrition
• Increasing the revenue per donor

The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a flexible work environment that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. This position is hybrid, with a requirement to be in the office one day per week and for special activities and events. The Annual Giving & Donor Relations Officer must have a home base in the Twin Cities Metro area, with the ability to travel within the metro area.

The starting salary for the position is $70,000. Salary offers are dependent on education, professional experience, and knowledge/skills of the candidate.

Job Responsibilities

Annual Giving Program (50%)

• Develop both annual and long term strategy and goals that grow retention, activation, and dollars raised for CEHD’s annual giving program using strategic input and partnering with the Senior Advancement Operations Officer and the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF).
  • Create and execute a complex multi-segment, multi-channel annual giving program
  • Write and edit targeted solicitation and stewardship copy
  • Work with UMF staff to manage project deadlines, mailing list segments, printing and centralized mailings
  • Create and oversee the production of supplemental CEHD solicitations
  • Oversee Give to the Max Day efforts, including securing a match in partnership with development colleagues, and generating excitement through social media, video, and in-person outreach
  • Evaluate potential for special or segmented mailings and/or ad hoc crowdfunding campaigns and implement as appropriate
• Provide leadership and vision for CEHD’s Annual Fund, positioning it as an essential and integrated component of CEHD’s advancement strategy.
• Manage and lead efforts for CEHD’s Access Scholarship and the Dean’s Fund for Excellence, positioning these funds as essential and integrated components of the college’s philanthropic strategy.
• Monitor and analyze reports to ensure the annual giving program is on track and adjust strategy as necessary; remain up to date on annual fundraising strategies and tools in all appropriate communications channels and elevate recommendations for program improvements.
• Execute and evaluate the overall stewardship program for annual giving donors in conjunction with the External Relations staff and UMF stewardship plan, including the creation of recognition materials and impact stories.
• Represent CEHD at the University of Minnesota Foundation, as it relates to annual giving.

Relationship Management and Individual Solicitation (40%)

• Manage a small portfolio of leadership annual giving prospects. Utilize best practices to engage donors through consistent stewardship, active cultivation, touchpoints, and active annual solicitation. Increase retention and support, achieve revenue goals and enhance the donor experience.
• Proactively communicate and provide recognition to first-time and consistent giving milestones, as well as annual fund donors who give $500+ gifts.
• Develop strategy and provide outreach to lapsed donors.
• Develop and implement an annual faculty and staff giving plan that builds a culture of philanthropy, encourages payroll giving and increases faculty and staff participation. Annually review and update Emeritus Faculty Group in the Donor Management System.
• Keep accurate and timely donor engagement and communication records in the Donor Management System, including updating or correcting inaccurate or missing data as needed.

Other Duties: (10%)

• Develop a working knowledge of CEHD and individual departments’ programs and research. Develop an understanding of CEHD’s vision, funding priorities and opportunity stories.
• As an integral part of the Office of External Relations engage in other core program areas, including attending all relevant meetings, donor and alumni events, and other duties as assigned.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have 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.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail [email protected] or call (612) 624-8647.

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:

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.

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).

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