Employment

Development Officer–Special Initiatives

U of M Requisition Number: 155818
Class: 9717–Development Officer
Supervisor: Associate Vice President of Development

Under the direction of the Associate Vice President for Development, this position focuses on the development program for Ophthalmology and Vision as part of the Special Initiatives Team for the Minnesota Medical Foundation (MMF). The major gift officer will develop and maintain a portfolio of prospects and will cultivate and solicit major gifts from grateful patients, alumni, organizations, and other potential donors. This position will work jointly with departmental leadership, faculty and staff and volunteer advisors to set priorities, identify and cultivate prospects, and steward gifts. He or she will collaborate with peer development officers and gift planning, marketing and communication, and events planning colleagues at MMF to manage a comprehensive fundraising program.

Responsibilities

• Identify, assess, cultivate and solicit prospective donors, primarily individuals, with an emphasis on current and future major gifts.
• Specific expectations are to achieve levels of activity after the first year that will result in:
  1. An assigned prospect pool of 50-100 prospects with focus on building the size and quality of the prospect pool.
  2. Presentation of a minimum of 15 proposals annually.
  3. Strategic contacts and cultivation steps, with a focus on face-to-face meetings and visits, which represent significant advancement of an ongoing relationship through cultivation, solicitation, closing the gift and stewardship.
• Serve as a member of the overall development team by collaborating with colleagues across disciplines on donor strategies, maintaining timely, accurate reports and information.
• Develop an annual plan of work, including specific fundraising, prospect development and programmatic goals. Prepare reports and other required information as requested.
• Working in conjunction with MMF central services staff, develop and oversee the development of proposals and written material in support of specific major gift fundraising initiatives.
• Clear and coordinate prospective donors through appropriate MMF procedures to ensure effective solicitation of the donor.
• Serve on committees and attend staff meetings as requested by the Associate Vice President and MMF leadership.
• Accept and implement other duties and assignments as directed.

Qualifications

Minimum (Required) Qualifications

• Baccalaureate degree from accredited college or university.
• Must have a minimum of three years experience in a professional fundraising environment or have related professional experience in sales, marketing, public relations, finance or law.

Preferred

• Five or more years of experience of demonstrated experience in identification, cultivation and solicitation of major gifts strongly preferred.
• Experience working in higher education, health or disease-related institution.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Outstanding oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel and work evenings and weekends, as necessary.
• Effective computer experience including database operation and word processing.

Applications will be accepted only through the University of Minnesota's online employment system. Please submit a cover letter and resume to this Web site for consideration.

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.