Advancement Operations Specialist

This is a Hybrid position with 3-4 days in the office.

Job Summary

The Advancement Operations Specialist assists with the creation and execution of broad-based stewardship and annual giving strategies, with responsibilities including donor stewardship, events, projects, and reports. They will serve as a liaison between the Humphrey School and the University of Minnesota Foundation, and function as the Humphrey School's lead on the creation and management of annual fundraising appeals.

Responsibilities

Donor Stewardship: Events, Projects, Reports (30%)

• Create, plan, and execute unique events with and for donors, alumni, and fund recipients, thoughtfully matching donors with beneficiaries of philanthropy (e.g., luncheons with fellowship donors and scholarship students)
• Support events with personal outreach to VIPs and/or attendance as donor host
• Collaborate on the Humphrey School's annual major engagement event, the Public Leadership Awards, by managing fundraising and stewardship components of the event with the LDO, and conducting outreach and solicitation to sponsors and ticket holders
• Develop and distribute stewardship pieces for all segments of Humphrey donors and supporters, including:
  • Annual donor thank you letters and related communication with student recipients
  • Videos, emails, and support materials for drives such as Give To The Max and Student Support Day
  • Monthly birthday, bereavement, holiday and thank you cards
  • Stories and follow-ups that highlights donor impact for various communication channels, including biannual Advancement Donor Newsletter
  • Chair Biographies, which require annual review and updates

Fund, Gift, & Awards Administration (20%)

• Process gifts and ensure current and new funds are appropriately documented and detailed to reflect donor intent
• Create and update content for donor acknowledgement letters, notecards, postcards, and emails, working with the UMF Annual Giving team
• With the Major Gift Officer, direct the creation of new funds from inception: fund agreement, fund creation, and DMS fund relationships
• Identify donors and contacts for scholarship funds and create "Stewardship" fund relationships within DMS
• Collaborate with Admissions and Finance offices to ensure scholarship award criteria and donor intentions are met
• Oversee process and schedule for students to thank their scholarship donors and contacts, providing coaching and ensuring follow-through as necessary
• Work collaboratively with University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF) stewardship staff on UMF Report on Endowment (ROE) efforts ensuring correct donors receive the reports (annually)
  

Data & Analytics (10%)

• Act as team lead for obtaining and manipulating data, which requires database knowledge (prospect management functions), familiarity with policy nuances, and a detailed understanding of coding conventions and practices
• Create complex queries for unique special-use advancement reports
• Update and maintain donor contact information, verified scholarship information, and donor contact reports (cards, letters, calls, and all other advancement-donor contact)
• Provide accurate and customized data and reporting to support specific fundraising purposes and produce ad hoc fund stewardship reports as requested

Annual Giving (30%)

• Develop and implement a broad-based annual giving and stewardship strategy
• Work with a portfolio of assigned donor prospects to establish, cultivate, and solicit ongoing relationships for annual giving and identify those with potential and propensity to be major donors to the Humphrey School
• Serve as lead for quarterly annual fundraising appeals, including drafting messages, determination of fund focus, and special appeals
• Solicit annual giving donors via mail, email, crowdfunding and telephone
• Provide training and Humphrey School information UMF telemarketers and other staff
• Serves as lead Humphrey contact/liaison to the University of Minnesota Foundation's Leadership Annual Giving (LAG) team
• Complete the full spectrum of annual giving duties including identifying, acquiring, and prioritizing donor prospects through the Annual Giving process
• Coordinate a Development Campaign Committee in partnership with the LDO to support the Humphrey School in its upcoming 5 year University-wide campaign
• Maintain annual fundraising goals and metrics, including metrics for broader campaigns
• Complete and record monthly donor calls to all donors who give up to $999

Supervision (10%)

• Manage the graduate student worker hiring process
• Supervise student workers, who provide support in a variety of areas, such as:
  • Collection and management of non-secure data
  • Communication and outreach to students and professors for information to include in stewardship pieces
  • Project-based assignments like website updates, organization of funds, etc.
  • Assistance with donor acknowledgements, including personalized thank you calls

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and two years of development experience
• Proficiency using Google Suite programs
• Intermediate-Advanced level written and verbal communication skills
• Project management experience
• Previous experience with donor stewardship
• Demonstrated ability to use sound judgment and discretion reflecting the nuances of constituents and confidential information
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with a broad group of individuals, including dignitaries
• Attention to detail and ability to provide important information to Humphrey School leadership
• A highly collaborative mindset and ability to work successfully in a team setting

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree, or a combination of education and relevant experience to total 10 years
• Advanced level written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with the UM Foundation systems, including best practices, policies and procedures
• Ability to apply technology-based tools to collect, interpret, and analyze critical management information
• 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
• Understanding and appreciation for policy and public affairs and its impact on society

Pay Range: $58,000-$62,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 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

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

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.

Required application materials: Resume & Cover Letter.

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.

This position is not eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship.

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).