How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
 

Summary

Michigan Law is looking for an experienced development professional to promote its fundraising priorities in partnership with the major and annual giving teams. The Regional Director will also participate in development and alumni relations planning and program management.  Reporting to the Director of Major Gifts, the Regional Director is responsible for identifying and managing relationships with donor prospects capable of making gifts in excess of $100,000. The Regional Director will cultivate and secure major gifts from donors who work/live in the Northwest US. Frequent travel is required.  Occasional work on evenings and weekends is also required.  
 

Who We Are

Founded in 1859, Michigan Law School is one of the world's leading institutions of legal education and enjoys a reputation for academic excellence characterized by a powerful commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Michigan is consistently ranked among the top law schools in the nation and enjoys international renown for its intellectual rigor, stunning physical surroundings, preeminent faculty scholarship, and a community noted for collegiality and warmth. Michigan Law has an exceptional and cooperative community of talented and interesting students, with 1000 in the J.D. and 40 in the LL.M. program. Our commitments to collegiality, constructive and challenging debate, and enabling our students to pursue a wide range of options explain why the Law School has long been committed to diversity along many dimensions. Our graduates serve with distinction in the private, public, non-profit, and academic sectors, in large numbers in every major market in the nation, as well as internationally. The University of Michigan is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which is considered among the best places in the United States to live and work.

At Michigan Law, we view our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as central to our mission as an educational institution and we seek to ensure that each member of our community has full opportunity to thrive in our environment. We believe that diversity is key to individual flourishing, educational excellence, and the advancement of knowledge and we maintain a deep commitment to fostering a diverse community in which all students, staff, and faculty learn and work in an atmosphere of inclusion and respect.

We are commited to buiilding an environment that fosters trust and provides a strong foundation living up to our highest ideals where all members of our community feel safe and supported. Through our actions and behaviors we strive to demonstrate the university's core values in all endeavors: Integrity, Respect, Inclusion, Equity, Diversity, and Innovation. 

Responsibilities*

- Maintain a regional donor portfolio of approximately 125-175 major gift prospects.
- Engage, cultivate, and solicit donors, and manage and steward donor relationships.
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of the funding priorities of Michigan Law, and the University of Michigan.
- Gather data, identify prospects, and develop strategies designed to realize the current and lifetime giving potential of individual prospects.
- Write and present persuasive cases for supporting Michigan Law’s priorities, matching the interests of prospects to specific  projects and individuals needing support.
- Partner with the annual giving team to build a pipeline for new major giving prospects; set priorities for multiple short-term and long-term projects based on goals established by the major giving team.
- Manage details of alumni and donor engagement in U-M’s development database; comply with U-M’s Office of University Development metrics for donor engagement and management; comply with University of Michigan’s requirements for hosting and travel,  monitoring resources and expenditures.
- Collaborate with development colleagues, across the three campuses and regionally, to implement donor strategies.
- Maintain an understanding of the underlying principles and techniques associated with planned giving and estate gifts. Collaborate with planned giving colleagues at Michigan Law and U-M’s Office of University Development to close planned gifts.
- Develop and maintain relationships with faculty, staff, students, and volunteers associated with the portfolio according to established guidelines.
- Participate in development and alumni relations committee meetings and events, locally and regionally.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
 

Required Qualifications*

- Bachelor's degree. 
- Minimum of 5 years of successful fundraising with performance history in cultivating, soliciting, and closing major gifts.
- Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Commitment to building a development strategy and prospect portfolio that reflects the diversity of the community. 
- Confidence engaging high net-worth individuals--maintaining discretion and confidentiality with distinguished benefactors.
- Technology proficiency for daily communications and work, specifically data management and analysis, calendaring, and video conferencing.
- Dedication to working collaboratively, to interfacing with a diverse group of prospects, donors, volunteers, and colleagues, to building and maintaining professional relationships, and to growing a positive work environment and culture. 
- Willingness to serve the greater development community by serving on committees and participating in professional development, continuing education, and mentoring.
- Commitment to higher education and to learning the mission and history of the Law School and the University of Michigan, including demographics, faculty, current programs, and departments. 
- Willingness to travel frequently and to work evenings and weekends periodically. 

Underfill Statement

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications, credentials, and experience of the selected candidate.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.