What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Major Gifts, Bay Area position at Michigan Giving?
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How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration. Please attach it as the first page of your resume (due to system limitations).
To be considered you must be eligible to work in the United States without requiring university sponsorship for continued employment.
All candidates must be within commutable distance of the Bay Area of California or the Ann Arbor campus.
If located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the salary range is: $100,000-$105,000
If located in Bay Area of California, the salary range is: $123,800-$128,800
Open to relocation? Relocation assistance may be available for candidates living outside commutable distance to Bay Area, or the Ann Arbor campus.
The Office of University Development maximizes private support for the University of Michigan.
Job Summary
Position Summary: As the Director of Major Gifts, Bay Area, you will direct the major gift program and represent the breadth of the University of Michigan in that region. You will develop and execute short- and long-term strategies to secure major and planned gifts ($100,000 or more) in collaboration with our senior academic leaders and development colleagues within a decentralized development environment. You will carry out your primary responsibilities through regular visits with U-M constituents throughout your assigned region. You will focus on 'fieldwork' with established donors and on discovering new prospective donors. Regular travel within the region and participation in evening and weekend activities are required.
Reports to: Senior Director of Major Gifts, Western States
Direct Fundraising (70%)
Benefits At The University Of Michigan
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Application Deadline
Although the Posting End Date may indicate otherwise, this job may be filled and closed any time after a posting duration of seven calendar days.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Job Opening ID
282872
Working Title
Director of Major Gifts, Bay Area
Job Title
Major Gifts Officer Senior
Work Location
Ann Arbor Campus
Ann Arbor, MI
Modes of Work
Hybrid
Mobile/Remote
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
FLSA Status
Exempt
Organizational Group
Vp For Development
Department
National Major Gifts
Posting Begin/End Date
9/24/2026 - 10/13/2026
Salary
$100,000.00 - $128,800.00
Career Interest
Development/Institutional Advancement
How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration. Please attach it as the first page of your resume (due to system limitations).
To be considered you must be eligible to work in the United States without requiring university sponsorship for continued employment.
All candidates must be within commutable distance of the Bay Area of California or the Ann Arbor campus.
If located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the salary range is: $100,000-$105,000
If located in Bay Area of California, the salary range is: $123,800-$128,800
Open to relocation? Relocation assistance may be available for candidates living outside commutable distance to Bay Area, or the Ann Arbor campus.
The Office of University Development maximizes private support for the University of Michigan.
Job Summary
Position Summary: As the Director of Major Gifts, Bay Area, you will direct the major gift program and represent the breadth of the University of Michigan in that region. You will develop and execute short- and long-term strategies to secure major and planned gifts ($100,000 or more) in collaboration with our senior academic leaders and development colleagues within a decentralized development environment. You will carry out your primary responsibilities through regular visits with U-M constituents throughout your assigned region. You will focus on 'fieldwork' with established donors and on discovering new prospective donors. Regular travel within the region and participation in evening and weekend activities are required.
Reports to: Senior Director of Major Gifts, Western States
- Supervises: Functional Supervision of Shared Project and Administrative Coordinator
Direct Fundraising (70%)
- Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major and planned gift prospects through thoughtful, deliberate strategies, producing a stream of donors who can make gifts of $100,000 or more throughout the region.
- Develop and manage a portfolio of ~60-80 major gift prospects with emphasis on those prospects who require a university-wide lens (multiple degrees, demonstrated interest in multiple schools or programs).
- Provide leadership for the region's major and planned gift activities by focusing on prospects under personal management and supporting solicitations directed by other staff. Ensure that major gift prospects are cultivated and solicited deliberately.
- Keep a pace of discovery work throughout the region.
- Maintain a pace of 120 visits, 15 asks, and 10 closed gifts per year.
- Work closely with our Senior Director of Major Gifts, Western States, to plan and lead a regional fundraising strategy, in partnership with fellow Director of Major Gifts, Bay Area that supports prospect/donor identification, engagement, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Additional partnership opportunities with Director of Major Gifts, Bay Area will include:
- Plan and execute events that directly support regional goals.
- Develop collaborative, productive relationships with our SCCU colleagues.
- Advise our senior campus leadership (deans, directors, executive officers) on donor strategy and trip planning.
- Attend quarterly retreats with our National Major Gifts Team and retreats with the Major Gifts Programs in the Office of University Development.
- Recruit and sustain a volunteer network and committee structure in the region to multiply efforts in prospect identification, cultivation, and solicitation.
- Provide expanded opportunities for prospects to engage with Michigan's academic leaders and one another.
- Be the co-lead for our Bay Area Campaign Council and Bay Area NextGen Campaign Council during campaign periods.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent education and experience.
- Five or more years of development experience in major gifts or other related fields (marketing, banking, or sales).
- Sound knowledge of laws, practices, and philosophy of charitable giving.
- Experience with financial development and/or sales productivity
- Experience working with and/or managing volunteers in some (preferably professional) capacity.
- For the full job description with a detailed list of responsibilities and requirements, please click here.
Benefits At The University Of Michigan
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
- Generous paid time off for vacations, holidays, sick time, season days, and paid parental leave
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
- Dental and vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Application Deadline
Although the Posting End Date may indicate otherwise, this job may be filled and closed any time after a posting duration of seven calendar days.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Job Opening ID
282872
Working Title
Director of Major Gifts, Bay Area
Job Title
Major Gifts Officer Senior
Work Location
Ann Arbor Campus
Ann Arbor, MI
Modes of Work
Hybrid
Mobile/Remote
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
FLSA Status
Exempt
Organizational Group
Vp For Development
Department
National Major Gifts
Posting Begin/End Date
9/24/2026 - 10/13/2026
Salary
$100,000.00 - $128,800.00
Career Interest
Development/Institutional Advancement
Salary : $100,000 - $105,000