The Lead Development Officer (LDO) reports to the Dean of the School of Nursing and is a member of the Deanâ™s leadership team. The LDO leads fundraising and alumni engagement strategy and operations and serves as a key advocate for the Schoolâ™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 Deanâ™s vision of impactful philanthropy with the School of Nursingâ™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:

• Bachelorâ™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 â” 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.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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