University of Minnesota Law School

Class Giving Officer Position Description

The Class Giving Officer (Alumni Relations Officer 9777) is responsible for:

  • Program development, management, implementation, and evaluation for new class agent fundraising pilot program;
  • Supporting volunteer fundraisers in making peer-based asks both through individual one-on-one solicitation and through direct mail and other mass communication channels;
  • Personally cultivating and soliciting increased gifts and commitments from volunteer agents and other select members of the pilot classes;

Appointment

This is a 100% time, 12 month academic administrative (P&A) appointment, renewable annually for up to three years in total. If the granting agency confirms funding of this position beyond three years, the appointment will be renewed annually for the additional period of funding. Salary is negotiable and commensurate with qualifications.

Responsibilities

Program Development – Research, Analysis and Strategic Planning – 25%

  • Conduct benchmarking research of other similar programs at peer law schools and other institutions.
  • Conduct analysis of current Law School class giving, programs, and alumni culture to identify 5 priority classes to participate in the pilot program.
  • Utilizing research and analysis, develop a three and five-year strategic plan for piloting class agent program in the Law School environment.
  • Together with Advancement leadership and Dean of the Law School, identify key indicators of success that will serve as basis for program evaluation.
  • Identify additional infrastructure needs, and opportunities to leverage partnerships with the U of MN Foundation (UMF) and within Law School to increase efficiency and program results.

Program Management – Implementation, Reporting, and Evaluation – 25%

  • Based on strategic plan, develop annual goals to pilot the program; manage execution and ongoing evaluation of the program; Make recommendations for improvement.
  • Create annual program progress reports and analysis for Law School leadership as well as the Robina Foundation, the program funder, including a major review in year three.
  • Interface directly with UMF leaders, Law School Advancement colleagues, the dean of the Law School, faculty, and other alumni leaders, to collaborate and involve them as needed in stewarding and motivating class agent volunteers and other aspects of the program.
  • In consultation with Law School annual giving staff, develop strategies to integrate class agents and class-focused fundraising messages into overall direct mail program, and oversee the production and mailing of additional special class-based peer fundraising letters and communications.

Fundraising Volunteer Management – 35%

  • Identify, cultivate, and recruit successful class agent volunteers in the Twin Cities and around the country through personal meetings and conversations.
  • Provide professional level support to some of the Law School’s most engaged and important donors and volunteer leaders and donors engaged in fundraising for leadership annual, major outright and planned gifts for the Law School: Work closely with these alumni leaders to set class-specific goals, lead meetings, and manage execution of plans to enhance program fundraising and alumni engagement. Prepare and provide regular reports, communications, collateral materials, and prospect briefings to ensure volunteers’ success.
  • Lead planning and execution of volunteer training and stewardship programs and events for class agent volunteers to ensure that they are successful and feel that their service is valued.

Relationship Management and Individual Solicitation – 10%

  • Serve as primary relationship manager for the majority of class agent volunteers and additional program prospects as directed.
  • Meet personally with class agents and other program prospects to assess their giving potential, discuss their engagement, and to solicit increased gifts and commitments at the leadership annual or major gift level. As needed, refer qualified prospects to development officer colleagues.
  • Follow up with personal correspondence, phone calls and additional visits as appropriate to close and to steward gifts. As needed, develop gift proposals, memoranda of agreement and other gift documentation.
  • Join class agent volunteers on individual cultivation and solicitation meetings with their classmates as requested.
  • Provide regular progress reports on both personal and volunteer-led prospect cultivation and solicitation, and complete and file thorough contact reports in Donor Management System (DMS) of all contacts in a timely manner.
  • Travel regionally and nationally at a variety of donor-related and legal community events. Stand in for the Director of Advancement and Director of Alumni Relations/Annual Giving as needed, both internally and externally.

Other Duties - 5%

  • As an integral part of the Office of Advancement, assist as needed in other core program areas, including managing one or more reunion outreach committees, assisting with and attending donor and alumni events, and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications –

Required:

  • BA/BS Degree and at least 3 years of progressive responsibility in fundraising, alumni relations, volunteer relations, or other related fields
  • Demonstrated experience with program and/or high-level project management
  • Experience as a volunteer or in leading volunteers
  • Strong judgement and ability to work well independently and as part of a team
  • Excellent relationship building, oral and written communication skills
  • Demonstrated success in valuing and actively promoting diversity
  • Ability to remember people and to recall and record conversations, with strong attention to detail
  • The Law School is proud to serve a diverse and varied group of internal and external constituents. This candidate will need to work effectively across these diverse communities.

Preferred:

  • Demonstrated success in new program development and evaluation
  • Grantwriting and program reporting experience
  • Experience managing and supporting volunteer fundraisers
  • Demonstrated success in soliciting and closing individual contributions from donors at the leadership annual ($2K+) or major gift levels ($50K+)
  • Graduate of an accredited law school

To apply:

This position is open until filled. Candidates, including people of color and women, are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications will only be accepted through the University of Minnesota online employment system and only complete applications will be considered. A complete application consists of a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references who will not be contacted without prior notice. To apply, go to http://humanresources.umn.edu/jobs and reference job number 316595. If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact Abby Loyd at or 612-625-6584.

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

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