University of Minnesota Libraries seeks Director of Development

Text courtesy of Sheri Stone, Director of Human Resources and Organization Development, University of Minnesota Libraries.

The University of Minnesota Libraries provides rich collections, impactful programs and services, and information experts in 12 locations across the Twin Cities campus.  An award-winning organization, the Libraries is recognized for innovative academic initiatives to advance learning and new research discoveries. The Libraries’ programs and resources encompass distinctive and rare collections, critical academic partnerships, and cutting-edge technologies; its engaged Friends group and public programming draw significant campus and community engagement. With state support, it serves libraries and their communities throughout Minnesota, with unparalleled programs of collection sharing, education, and digital library creation.

The Director of Development is responsible for developing fund-raising strategies and securing significant philanthropic support from individuals, foundations, and corporations/businesses for the University Libraries, which includes travel outside of Minnesota. Working in collaboration with the University of Minnesota Foundation, the Director of Development is the chief development officer and lead in executing the University Libraries’ campaign, stewarding and soliciting donors, and leveraging programs of community engagement to advance Libraries’ support.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive fundraising program that aligns with the Libraries’ development goals.  This includes implementing the Libraries’ campaign and, going forward, setting goals and developing strategies for ongoing fundraising through major gifts, annual giving, planned gifts, and in-kind (Libraries’ collections) donations.
• Identify, prioritize, cultivate, solicit, and steward a major gifts portfolio (gifts of $25,000 and above).
• Develop and implement strategies for individual prospect cultivation and stewardship.
• Work collaboratively with the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF) to position the Libraries strategically in University development and to coordinate opportunities to leverage the Libraries in collegiate fundraising.
• Enlist UMF services for research, stewardship, and planned giving; meet UMF metrics for donor contacts and tracking using the capacities of the Donor Management System.
• Create fundraising materials and messaging in partnership with Libraries’ departments of Communications and Community Outreach and UMF.
• Recruit, supervise, and support the Library Development Associate.
• Prepare and manage Libraries’ Development budget; work in collaboration with UMF and Libraries Business Office to set up gift funds and generate donor stewardship reports.
• Collaborate and coordinate with Libraries’ Communications and Community Outreach departments to promote donor engagement and the development of promotional materials.
• Represent the Libraries in a variety of campus and community venues as requested by the University Librarian/Dean.

Required Qualifications

​A bachelor’s degree, a minimum of five years of professional experience in development with demonstrated ability to promote and successfully solicit major gifts; or seven or more years of experience in marketing, public relations, financial advisement, or related field where responsible for cultivating/soliciting and maintaining long-term, trusting client relationships (either individual or business) for provision of services, excellent written and oral communication skills, demonstrated ability to manage complex projects from conception to execution and to manage multiple, concurrent priorities, solid relationship-building and collaboration skills with a diverse constituency of donors, cultures, strategic partners, volunteers, and staff, and proficient with technologies for proposal development, communication, and donor/constituent systems.

This is a full time, 12-month, annual renewable, academic professional position. For full description, qualifications, and to apply, go to http://z.umn.edu/ulib399. Please identify applications with UL399.