Working collaboratively with the Chief Advancement Officer, foster a collaborative team culture and utilize metrics to drive success. Leading by example, effectively cultivate and successfully solicit a select portfolio of prospects and donors capable of making transformational contributions to NMU.
Serve as a lead principal gifts officer for the university, working to cultivate, solicit, close, and steward prospective donors with the capacity to make commitments of $500,000 and above. Drive gifts for general university purposes as well as those designated for specific colleges, campaign priorities, or other parts of Northern Michigan University.
Minimum Qualifications
Required Education: Bachelor's Degree
Required Minimum Work Experience: Eight years of experience in higher education or nonprofit fundraising with at least five years serving in a leadership role with responsibility for designing and driving a comprehensive and sophisticated fundraising program, including supervisory experience. Relevant sales or communication/marketing experience with demonstrated success in revenue generation may also be considered in lieu of fundraising experience.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, or Attributes Required for Satisfactory Performance of the Position Duties:
- Demonstrated success in planning and executing fundraising or revenue generating strategies that drive results which exceeded or met annual targets.
- Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward major and principal gift donors at the highest levels; similar experience related to sales industry would also apply.
- Strong leadership, strategic planning, and project management skills.
- Strong time management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize effectively and adapt to changing circumstances.
- Excellent interpersonal, critical listening, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to translate learned information into actionable next steps for donors.
- Ability to effectively navigate CRMs and donor management systems.
- Demonstrated ability to provide an inclusive and collaborative work environment by valuing and actively seeking new and diverse perspectives from the team.
- Demonstrated success in leading and managing a team which both drove successful organizational outcomes and fostered a positive team culture.
- Extensive travel required, including overnight stays and flexible hours to accommodate donor schedules.
Additional Desirable Qualifications
- Master's Degree in business management, organization development, nonprofit management, or similar field.
- Comprehensive campaign fundraising experience in higher education.
- Experience in planned giving and/or grant writing.
