Senior Director of Development & Strategy

How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position. In your cover letter, please provide examples of how your skills and experiences meet the requirements of this position. To apply for this position, please submit your cover letter and resume as one document on the University of Michigan Careers at the U site.

Job Summary

The Institute for Social Research (ISR) is the world's largest academic social science survey and research organization. With scholars from a wide range of disciplines, ISR acts as a national laboratory for the social sciences, advancing public understanding of human behavior through rigorous, wide-ranging research.

Our Mission Is To

• Conduct high-quality social science research
• Share findings widely to inform public understanding and decision-making
• Train future generations of social scientists
  
  
  

The Development Director provides strategic leadership for ISR's advancement efforts. In partnership with the ISR Director and as part of the executive leadership team, this individual designs and drives a comprehensive philanthropic and engagement strategy aligned with ISR's mission. This role requires regular in-person engagement to effectively support the development team, center directors, faculty partners, and our broader community. Leading a high-performing team in fundraising, the Development Director serves as a visible ambassador for ISR, building strong relationships with donors, alumni, corporate and foundation partners, and stakeholders across the University of Michigan.

Why Work at Michigan?

Benefits at the University of Michigan

Benefits

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 any eligible family members, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting upon meeting eligibility requirements
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
  
  
  

Learn More About U-M Benefits.

Responsibilities*

Strategic Leadership (40%)

• Lead the development team in setting measurable annual and multi-year fundraising goals (e.g., revenue growth, number of major gifts, number of stewardship activities) to maximize transformational giving.
• Serve as an internal and external ambassador by conducting presentations, events, or communications annually that showcase ISR's mission, priorities, and impact.
• Partner with the U-M Office of University Development to coordinate ISR's participation in university-wide campaigns and to co-develop joint proposals or initiatives per year.
• Improve our system for tracking and evaluating all goals, programs, and activities (e.g., quarterly dashboard reviews, donor pipeline reports) to ensure continuous improvement.
  
  
  

Effective Operational Management (30%)

• Model ISR's values of culture and respect, ensuring all team members complete training as appropriate.
• Organize and manage day-to-day operations of the development team; set annual work plans and complete performance reviews with measurable deliverables for each staff member aligned to institutional objectives.
• Lead, mentor, and develop staff through regular coaching, performance reviews, and professional development plans, aiming for a balance of staff satisfaction and results.
• Ensure the ISR Director is strategically engaged in development activities by preparing comprehensive briefings for 100% of donor and strategic social science events and tracking outcomes.
• Personally manage a portfolio of ISR's highest-level donors, maintaining an active portfolio of prospects with defined annual goals for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship (e.g., major solicitations per year).
• Create meaningful meetings and experiences that strengthen engagement among the ISR leadership team, faculty, and staff.
• Oversee prudent management of human, financial, and physical resources; ensure timely and accurate reporting of all fundraising results (cash, pledges, bequests, gifts-in-kind, and other commitments) via monthly or quarterly reports.
  
  
  

Partnerships and External Engagement (30%)

• Act as a visible and trusted ambassador by attending and representing ISR at a minimum number of external events or conferences each year, engaging with alumni, donors, corporations, foundations, and peer institutions.
• Establish and sustain collaborative relationships across ISR and U-M to advance fundraising, alumni engagement, and stewardship initiatives co-host or hold joint events or programs annually with internal partners.
• Proactively build and manage partnerships with external organizations - including corporations, foundations, and peer universities - by initiating a set number of new partnership opportunities each year while strengthening and stewarding existing relationships.
• Represent ISR within the network of leading peer institutions to share best practices and raise ISR's national profile.
  
  
  

Required Qualifications*

We'd Like To Hear From You If You Have

• Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree in social sciences, business, communications, or a related field.
• At least 8 years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, alumni relations, and/or public relations, preferably in higher education. The underfill is for six years of experience.
• Fundraising Achievement: Demonstrated success in planning and executing comprehensive advancement programs, including leading campaigns that result in measurable increases in gifts, pledges, or endowments. Proven track record of securing major gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Team Leadership & Development: Experience managing, motivating, and mentoring diverse teams, including senior-level fundraisers and communications staff. Demonstrated ability to develop staff professionally, set performance goals, and achieve team targets.
• Strategic & Operational Skills: Strong strategic planning, organizational, and interpersonal skills. Proven ability to align team activities with institutional priorities, manage budgets, and deliver measurable results.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Experience working with senior-level volunteers, alumni, and external partners. Demonstrated ability to cultivate relationships that increase engagement and philanthropic support.
• Collaboration & Culture: Commitment to fostering a collaborative, respectful, and inclusive organizational culture. Evidence of success in creating an environment that values respect and authenticity by including a variety of voices in the development plans.
• Mobility: Willingness and ability to travel regionally and nationally to support donor cultivation, stewardship, and alumni engagement activities.
  
  
  

Desired Qualifications*

We'd especially like to hear from you if you have the required qualifications and these:

• Advanced degree in the social sciences, business, communications, or a related field.
• Knowledge of social science research, public policy, or higher education advancement practices.
• Experience collaborating with university-level development offices and contributing to large-scale campaign planning.
• Demonstrated ability to translate institutional priorities into measurable advancement strategies and outcomes.
  
  
  

Work Locations

To fulfill the responsibilities of this role, this position will be on-site at the University of Michigan offices in Ann Arbor, with flexible scheduling and remote opportunities made available within our overall institute policies. If relocation is required, we will allow for a reasonable time and flexibility to make necessary arrangements.

Modes of Work

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.

Underfill Statement

Openings may be filled at the Senior or Intermediate level depending on match with opportunity, your depth and breadth of experience and qualifications. The intermediate level requires a bachelor's degree in a field of science directly related to the position as well as one to three years of related experience. Salary would be commensurate with the Intermediate level position.

Positions at the Development Director Senior level will be filled at the $160,000- $180,000 salary range.

Positions at the Development Director Intermediate level will be filled at the $140,000-$160,000 salary range.

Additional Information

The statements included in this description are intended to reflect the general nature and level of work assigned to this classification and should not be interpreted as all-inclusive.

The Institute for Social Research (ISR) at the University of Michigan seeks to create a community of respect and authentic collaboration by recruiting and retaining individuals that represent a variety of voices as a reflection of our commitment to serve the people of Michigan, to maintain the excellence of the university, and to ground our research in varied disciplines, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning.

Selection Process

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Institute for Social Research job openings are posted for a minimum of fourteen (14) calendar days. Candidates will be evaluated based on qualifications and interest areas. Initial interviews are remote, with in-person interviews for finalists, involving a cross-section of ISR staff. Our goal is to fill the role in mid February 2026

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.