Regional Development Officer/Sr. Regional Development Officer

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 (Northern California/Bay Area). The development staff works with donors to determine the appropriate gift vehicles, including cash, securities, real property, etc. The Senior Regional Development Officer will be expected to coordinate their efforts with unit based development officers, central development professionals, and other University personnel where appropriate.

Please note that candidates will be considered for the Regional Development Officer or Sr. Regional Development Officer level based on their stated qualifications.

Starting salaries: Regional Development Officer at $85,000 - $95,000 and Sr. Regional Development Officer at $100,000 - $115,000 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 Minnesota'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 donors' 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:

• Bachelor's degree.
  • Regional Development Officer (AD Officer 3- Major Gifts): 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.
  • Sr. Regional Development Officer (AD Officer 4- Major Gifts): Six 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.

About Us:

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 Range: Regional Development Officer at $85,000 - $95,000 and Sr. Regional Development Officer at $100,000 - $115,000 based on experience; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 75%-100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• 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

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

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu 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: http://diversity.umn.edu

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).