Position Classification

Full Time Adminstrator

Position Summary

The Director of Development is responsible for planning and managing the overall major gift work for programs in the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS) and the programs in the School of Architecture and Community Development (SOACD). They will work through University Advancement (UA) and in conjunction with the Deans of both colleges to advance the priorities of the academic units as well as the University.

The Director of Development will be responsible for developing and implementing an overall major gift program that will support the specific academic area initiatives and the University of Detroit Mercy’s overall development efforts. Focusing on major gift commitments, the DOD identifies, qualifies, cultivates and solicits prospects, and stewards donors, according to the performance expectations established in UA.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Identification of donor prospects.  
• Contact with donors and donor prospects for qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. Actively work all four stages of their assigned portfolio of prospects.  
• Contact preparation and follow-up, contact reports, proposal development. Detailing of monthly and annual metrics for performance centered around in-person meetings, quality outreach, and annual fundraising goals.  
• Meetings with Deans, faculty, staff, UA supervisor and UA team. 
• Other duties that support major gift development.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education -A college degree or four to eight years of work experience in a related field.
• Experience – Two years to five years. (Equivalent combination of education and employment).

Preferred Qualifications

Preference for a candidate that is fluent in various forms of charitable giving options available today including, but not limited to, gifts from IRA’s and DAF’s, gifts of appreciated stock and other exchanged assets, bequests, trusts and annuities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

 Candidate will have the knowledge and skills to successfully manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors for the University’s fundraising initiatives. Knowledge and skills include the ability to identify, qualify and cultivate donor prospects; develop timely and effective solicitation strategies; conduct personal solicitations; and effectively steward donors in a way that will lead to their next gift.
Candidate will have the knowledge and skills to develop the College’s fundraising goals and detailed prospect strategy plans with priorities, action steps, timelines and expected outcomes; maintain complete contact reports and appropriate Raiser’s Edge records; and advise on the development of fundraising marketing materials.

Candidate must have excellent verbal and written communication skills; appropriate computer skills in support of fundraising; interpersonal skills to work effectively with major gift prospects and donors, volunteers and University leaders; and the ability to contribute to University Advancement as part of the major gift team. Candidate must also possess a commitment to support and articulate the University’s Catholic, Jesuit and Mercy mission.

Candidate must be available to travel, primarily in SE Michigan, and occasionally out-of-state.

Physical Requirements

Job may require lifting light weight objects (1 to 10 pounds) with no repetitive bending or stooping. Occasionally lift average weight objects (1 to 10 pounds).

Work Environment

Regular exposure to favorable conditions such as those found in a normal office.

Additional Information

Preference for candidates with experience in higher education or the not-for-profit industry, preferably in major gift fundraising. Related experience in business, such as sales or other transferable skills, would be welcome.

Salary/Pay Information

Commensurate with experience

Anticipated Schedule  

Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM -5:00 PM

Employee Benefits

 At the University of Detroit Mercy, we continually strive to provide a high-quality, comprehensive benefits package to our valued employees. We offer our employees the following benefits: 

· Medical -

         o Three health plans to choose from with a large national provider network

· Dental -

        o UDM’s School of Dentistry FREE to you and your dependents

        o Option to purchase additional dental plan through UNUM

· Vision - 

        o Exams and lenses every 12 months

· Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Accounts offered.

· Employee Assistance Program -

        o Provided to everyone in your household.

· Short-Term and Long-Term Disability.

· Life and AD&D - 

         o One times base salary up to a hundred thousand dollars.

· Option to purchase additional life insurance, accident insurance, and/or critical illness insurance

· Tuition Remission Benefit for you, your spouse, and children. 

· Retirement Plan -

        o UDM provides matches up to 8%

Michigan’s largest, most comprehensive private University, University of Detroit Mercy is an independent Catholic institution of higher education sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy and Society of Jesus. Detroit Mercy seeks qualified candidates who will contribute to the University’s mission, diversity, and excellence of its academic community. University of Detroit Mercy is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer with a diverse student body and welcomes persons of all backgrounds. 

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About University of Detroit Mercy

The University of Detroit Mercy has one goal - to help our students realize their dreams and ambitions. We fulfill that goal by offering challenging academic programs taught by talented, committed professors and supplemented by hands-on research, co-op, and internship opportunities.

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