Managing Director of Advancement

About the Job

For full consideration, please apply by the May 26th priority consideration deadline. The position will stay open until it is filled.

Title: Managing Director of Advancement

Job code: AD Mgr 3-Advancement Operations Generalist, 9363AO

Employee Group: Academic Administrative

Full/Part Time (FTE): Full time, 100%

Regular/Temporary: Regular

About the Job:

The Managing Director of Advancement (MD) at the College of Science and Engineering (CSE) leads the development and implementation of a comprehensive community engagement system focused on donor, alumni and volunteer relations across the college. In this new position reporting to the Dean, the MD manages a team currently including stewardship, events, alumni relations, advancement marketing and communications, annual giving and development operations. The MD serves as a key strategist and partner to college leadership, the CSE Development Leadership Team at the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF), University of Minnesota Alumni Association (UMAA), and CSE’s Director of Marketing and Communications.

Location and Work environment: U of M East Bank, Walter Library, in-person.

Work Schedule: Typical schedule of Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Some nights and weekends may be required with advanced notice.

Primary Responsibilities:

Management, Program Operations and Support and (50%)

• Oversee and lead the CSE Advancement Team staff members (7 FTE - 3 direct reports, 4 indirect reports), fostering a high-performing, mission-driven culture focused on outcomes.
• Lead the transition of the CSE Advancement Team into the new centralized major gift fundraising model, developing clear roles, workflows, and priorities between CSE and UMF.
• Develop and manage the CSE Advancement budget, allocating resources to maximize impact, efficiency, and return on investment across all initiatives.
• Provide high-level management of the CSE Advancement Team’s project portfolio, ensuring all initiatives—from annual giving to major events—are executed with strategic intentionality, fiscal responsibility, and brand consistency.
• Manage CSE Advancement’s “Partnerships in Philanthropy” model, developing initiatives, programs and processes that efficiently empower college- and department-level engagement through events, stewardship, volunteer opportunities, communications, annual giving, and award recognition.
• Oversee stewardship and annual giving efforts, ensuring alignment between department, college and UMF-based partners. Ensure stewardship practices demonstrate impact, foster long-term relationships and inspire future philanthropic support.
• Oversee donor and alumni engagement efforts, ensuring alignment between department, college and UMF- and UMAA-based partners. Develop and deliver best-in-class community-building programming and engagement opportunities that foster deeper connection and philanthropic support across external stakeholders.
• Lead donor and alumni marketing and communications efforts in partnership with CSE’s Director of Marketing and Communications and Advancement Marketing and Communications Manager.

Strategic Leadership (25%)

• Develop and implement CSE’s advancement strategy, ensuring alignment with UMF’s Development Leadership Team and the CSE Dean’s major gift fundraising goals and priorities.
• Provide strategic guidance on alumni and donor engagement, advancement priorities, and philanthropic initiatives as part of the CSE Leadership Team.
• Implement and develop communications plans and strategies to support CSE fundraising priorities, partnering with UMF and CSE Marketing and Communications. Ensure CSE advancement initiatives are aligned with the University’s Elevate Extraordinary 2030 roadmap and CSE’s supporting plan.
• Serve as CSE Advancement’s primary liaison to CSE’s 12 academic departments, including regular attendance at Administrative Council and/or Administrators meetings and support college-wide collaboration with UMF’s Development Leadership Team.
• Foster a collaborative relationship between CSE, UMF, and UMAA; ensure CSE’s advancement strategy respects and integrates UMAA’s institutional objectives for alumni life-cycle engagement and advocacy.
• Leverage institutional data to track and report on CSE-specific engagement, identifying key benchmarks to inform program strategy and demonstrate CSE Advancement’s impact to College leadership.

Volunteer, Donor and Alumni Relations (25%)

• Manage the CSE Dean’s Advisory Board, leading and facilitating all aspects of volunteer opportunity at the college in close partnership with the Dean, board chair and internal partners and stakeholders.
• Direct the preparation of comprehensive executive briefings and strategic talking points for the Dean and senior leadership; ensure all high- profile donor and alumni interactions are supported by clear objectives and relevant background.
• Serve as a best-practices resource for department-led volunteer opportunities (e.g. advisory boards, judging, speaking, hosting, panels, etc.).
• Develop and support the execution of an awards process to recognize exceptional alumni and donors, leveraging existing University awards, external opportunities and/or new initiatives. Collaborate with CSE’s Office of Faculty Affairs as necessary.
• Frequently attend college events, providing visible leadership and developing meaningful connections with stakeholders.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree plus at least 10 years of experience.
• Experience directly managing staff.
• Previous experience in advancement, development/philanthropy or alumni/ volunteer relations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven track record of developing and executing long-term strategic engagement plans and communication strategies that align with organizational goals.
• Experience within higher education or a complex nonprofit.
• Experience managing a departmental budget.
• Experience working with volunteers, high-level advisory boards and executive leadership.
• Proven ability to lead complex, multi-stakeholder projects from conception to completion.

About the Department

The College of Science and Engineering (CSE) is ranked among the top engineering and science academic programs in the country. The college includes 12 academic departments offering a wide range of degree programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels.

For more information about the College of Science and Engineering Office of the Dean, visit https://cse.umn.edu/.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $120,000- $135,000 per year ; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 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

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

How To Apply

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

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Required application materials: Resume and Cover Letter

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

Diversity

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

Employment Requirements

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.