Lead Development Officer

The Lead Development Officer (LDO) reports to the Dean of the School of Nursing and is a member of the Dean's leadership team. The LDO leads fundraising and alumni engagement strategy and operations and serves as a key advocate for the School's mission, values, and goals. This role oversees the development and alumni relations team, including fundraising for the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing, and works in partnership with campus-wide advancement teams. This position supervises a team of three or more, including senior-level fundraising professionals, and requires frequent travel throughout Minnesota and nationally. Evening and weekend participation in events is expected. The LDO also partners with the School of Nursing Foundation Board of Trustees and Alumni Society Board of Directors to further alumni and donor engagement.

This role aligns the Dean's vision of impactful philanthropy with the School of Nursing's broader goals, working in partnership with the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF) to leverage central resources and build strong donor relations.

Key Responsibilities

Major and Principal Gift Strategy (55%)

• Create, and lead major and principal gift strategies with annual fundraising goals of $4M+.
• Maintain a personal portfolio of approximately 100 major gift prospects ($50K+).
• Craft and execute a comprehensive annual fundraising plan featuring measurable objectives and strategies to cultivate and grow a pipeline of major donors.
• Collaborate with the Dean and senior leadership to identify funding priorities and participate in donor outreach.
• Champion stewardship efforts that sustain meaningful donor relationships and align with program objectives, while meeting or exceeding performance benchmarks for the role and the
  team.

Development and Alumni Relations Leadership (35%)

• Provide strategic oversight for development and alumni engagement in partnership with the University of Minnesota Foundation and Alumni Association.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team, promoting a supportive and inclusive culture.
• Collaborate and partner on messaging and communications for fundraising and alumni campaigns.
• Drive alumni outreach and engagement initiatives, enhancing connections, increasing participation, and fostering a lifelong sense of community.
• Coordinate volunteer participation in development initiatives.
• Collaborate across departments and with leadership teams to ensure advancement strategies align with school-wide objectives and long-term priorities.
• Support campaign initiatives, including strategic planning, communications, and donor engagement.

Program Management (10%)

• Develop and monitor annual plans, budgets, and performance goals.
• Guide planning and assessment for long-term advancement priorities.
• Lead fundraising for capital projects and priority initiatives in partnership with university advancement teams to secure transformational support.
• Cultivate a culture of growth, collaboration, accountability, and recognition, reinforcing shared values and high performance across the team.
• Provide mentorship and professional development for team members.

Required:

• Bachelor's degree.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, development, or a closely related field such as nonprofit or mission-driven communications.
• At least three years of experience leading or supervising teams.
• Demonstrated success in securing major and principal gifts.
• Experience planning and managing budgets.
• Experience with comprehensive fundraising campaigns Skills in identifying, cultivating, and stewarding donor relationships.
• Ability to engage and support volunteers.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills across teams and organizations.
• Proactive, creative approach to identifying opportunities and driving results.
• Comfort working with diverse individuals and communities.
• Clear, persuasive communication skills - written and verbal.
• Experience as both a strategic thinker and a metrics-driven fundraiser.
• Track record of building long-term donor partnerships and sustainable philanthropic pipelines.
• Commitment to team-based success, continuous learning, and shared leadership.
• Strong situational awareness with the flexibility to adjust communication approach as needed.

Preferred:

• 5 or more years of experience in advancement, development, or related leadership roles.

Organizational Culture
We are committed to creating a welcoming, collaborative, and mission-aligned environment where every team member is empowered to thrive. The ideal LDO will bring empathy, confidence, humility, and a strong desire to support the mission of the School of Nursing through authentic relationships and data-informed strategies. We welcome candidates of all backgrounds and experiences who are excited to lead with professionalism, curiosity, and heart.

Founded in 1909 and recognized as the first nursing program established within a university, the University of Minnesota School of Nursing continues to lead the profession into the future. With a mission to generate knowledge and educate leaders to shape the future of nursing and advance health care to improve the health and wellbeing of all, the school and its research are addressing health issues and improving health. With nearly $6 million in National Institutes of Health awards to the School of Nursing and the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing in 2019, the University of Minnesota rose to 10th in the latest ranking of NIH funding to schools of nursing.

The school is ranked among the top programs in nurse midwifery and nursing informatics, and it is internationally renowned for its efforts to improve health and health care through the use of big data. The School was one of nine nursing schools nationally awarded the Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine in 2020.

The University of Minnesota has one of the largest, more comprehensive academic health centers in the nation. While robust scholarly inquiry is central to the School of Nursing's mission, it is enhanced by interprofessional collaboration with schools and colleges within the University and its health sciences schools comprised of pharmacy, medicine, public health, dentistry and veterinary medicine.

Pay Range: $37,509 - $89,449; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 75%-100% Appointment (If job description above does not specify appointment or expected weekly hours, assume a 100% appointment.)

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).