University of Michigan

Director of Major Gifts, Florida and SE States

University of Michigan$100K — $105K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.
  • 5+ years of development experience in major gifts or related fields such as marketing, banking, or sales.
  • Knowledge of laws and practices related to charitable giving is essential.
  • Experience in financial development or achieving sales targets is preferred.
  • Familiarity with managing volunteers in a professional capacity is beneficial.

Responsibilities

  • Identify and cultivate major and planned gift prospects through strategic engagement.
  • Manage a portfolio of approximately 60-80 major gift prospects with university-wide interests.
  • Lead major and planned gift activities in the region to ensure appropriate donor engagement.
  • Conduct more than 120 visits annually, aiming for 15 asks and 10 closed gifts each year.
  • Collaborate with senior leadership to plan a regional fundraising strategy and execute supportive events.
  • Build productive relationships with colleagues and provide strategic advice on donor engagement.

Benefits

  • Generous time off policies.
  • Retirement plan with two-for-one matching contributions and immediate vesting.
  • Comprehensive health insurance options available.
  • Life insurance coverage provided.
  • Long-term disability coverage included.
  • Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses available.
Full Job Description
How to Apply

We require a cover letter for consideration. Please attach it as the first page of your resume (due to system limitations).

To be considered, you must be eligible to work in the United States without requiring university sponsorship for continued employment.

This position can be located within a commutable distance to key markets in Central and Southern Florida or within a commutable distance to the Ann Arbor campus.

Open to relocation? Relocation assistance may be available for candidates living outside commutable distance to Central Florida, Southern Florida, or the Ann Arbor campus.

Job Summary

You will direct the major gift program and represent the breadth of the University of Michigan in that region. You will develop and execute short and long-term strategies to secure major gifts and planned gifts ($100,000 or more) in collaboration with our senior academic leaders and development colleagues in a decentralized development environment. Your primary responsibilities will be implemented through regular visits with U-M constituents throughout Florida and some other states including Georgia and the Carolinas. You will focus on 'fieldwork' with established donors and a focus on the discovery of new prospective donors. This role requires regular travel and participation in evening and weekend activities are required.

Reports to: Senior Executive Director, National Major Gifts

Supervise: Functional Supervision of Shared Project and Administrative Coordinator

**For the full job description with a detailed list of responsibilities and requirements, please click here .

Responsibilities*

Direct Fundraising (70%)
  • Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major and planned gift prospects through thoughtful, deliberate strategies, producing a stream of donors who can make gifts of $100,000 or more throughout the region.
  • Develop and manage a portfolio of ~60-80 major gift prospects with emphasis to those prospects who require a university-wide lens (multiple degrees, demonstrated interest in multiple schools or programs).
  • Provide leadership for the major and planned gift activity in the region by focusing on prospects under personal management and by supporting solicitations directed by other staff. Ensure that major gift prospects are cultivated and solicited appropriately and deliberately.
  • Keep a pace of discovery work throughout the region.
  • Maintain a pace of 120+ visits, 15+ asks, and 10+ closed gifts per year.

Strategic Leadership and SCCU Collaboration (20%)
  • Work with our Senior Director of Major Gifts, Florida and SE States, to plan and lead a regional fundraising strategy that supports prospect/donor identification, engagement, solicitation, and stewardship.
  • Plan and execute events that directly support regional goals.
  • Develop collaborative, productive relationships with SCCU colleagues.
  • Advise our senior campus leadership (deans, directors, executive officers, etc.) on donor strategy and trip planning.
  • Attend quarterly retreats with our National Major Gifts Team and retreats with the Major Gifts Programs in the Office of University Development.

Volunteer Management (10%)
  • Recruit and sustain a strong volunteer network and committee structure in the region to multiply efforts in prospect identification, cultivation, and solicitation.
  • Provide expanded opportunities for key prospects to engage with Michigan's academic leaders and one another.
  • Be a lead for the South Florida Council during campaign periods.

Required Qualifications*
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent education and experience.
  • 5+ years of development experience in major gifts or other related fields (marketing, banking, or sales).
  • Sound knowledge of laws, practices, and philosophy of charitable giving.
  • Experience with financial development or sales productivity
  • Experience working with and/or managing volunteers in some (preferably professional) capacity.

Benefits at the University of Michigan

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
  • Generous time off
  • A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
  • Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Long-term disability coverage
  • Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes .

Additional Information

Although the Posting End Date may indicate otherwise, this job may be filled and closed any time after a posting duration of seven calendar days.

Additional Information

Exciting News: We Moved!
Join our team at our brand-new location, Michigan House! You'll find us at 2301 Commonwealth Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.

For additional information about this position and to review other current openings in Development, please visit our website at: https://giving.umich.edu/um/careers

Job Detail

Job Opening ID

280430

Working Title

Director of Major Gifts, Florida and SE States

Job Title

Major Gifts Officer Senior

Work Location

Ann Arbor Campus

Ann Arbor, MI

Modes of Work

Hybrid
Mobile/Remote

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

Vp For Development

Department

National Major Gifts

Posting Begin/End Date

7/22/2026 - 8/11/2026

Salary

$100,000.00 - $105,000.00

Career Interest

Development/Institutional Advancement

About University of Michigan

The University of Michigan is a public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan system. The University of Michigan was founded in 1817 in Detroit, as the Catholepistemiad, or University of Michigania, 20 years before the territory became a state. The school moved to Ann Arbor in 1837 onto 40 acres (16 ha) of what is now known as Central Campus. Since its establishment in Ann Arbor, the university campus has expanded to include more than 584 major buildings with a combined area of more than 34 million gross square feet (781 acres or 3.16 km²), and has two satellite campuses located in Flint and Dearborn. The University of Michigan is a founding member of the Association of American Universities.
Learn more about University of Michigan
Size
50,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1817

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