Job Posting

Institute on the Environment, UMN | Saint Paul, MN
Salary Range: $80,000 - $100,000

Do you believe in a future where people and the planet prosper together – and do you see a role for higher education in helping to bring about that future? That’s the mission and purpose of the Institute on the Environment (IonE), and we seek someone to steer operations that build financial support for that mission.

Specifically, our organization is looking for a professional who:

• excels at forming and sustaining relations leading to financial support;
• is a skilled writer and communicator who can collaborate with academics, communications professionals, and external stakeholders to articulate a case for support;
• has experience creating inviting opportunities for donors and other supporters to engage with a mission-driven, innovation-oriented organization; and
• has a track record of substantially contributing to or leading successful fund-raising campaigns.

This Director of Donor Relations and Advancement Operations is responsible for developing and implementing an advancement strategy that deepens engagement with key stakeholders and expands support for the institute’s programs and students. The Director will focus on creating a sustainable advancement program in partnership with Institute leaders and the University of Minnesota Foundation.

The Director will manage and expand IonE’s donor base by:

• developing and implementing an annual fund program;
• serve as a liaison with the University of Minnesota Foundation;
• work with IonE External Advisory Board (EAB) to develop relationships and leverage their contacts for potential donors
• Develop relationships with Community Foundations to access Donor Advised Funds
• create engagement and stewardship activities for donors and prospective donors; and manage a small portfolio of major gift prospects.

In addition, the Director will work closely with IonE communications staff around donor messages and engagement events/activities; with affiliates (faculty), students and staff across IonE’s programs to help them convey their case for support; and with individuals and organizations that share the Institute’s mission and purpose to help them discover IonE as an organization deserving of support.

The case for support at IonE includes all of its programs and aims (above). In addition, some of the funding we raise at or through IonE is administered and distributed outside the university, across all parts of the University. Thus, IonE is uniquely poised to collaborate with other university units to garner support for multi-unit, transformative gifts.

Given the diversity of these relationships and the institute’s reach, the Director should have considerable skill in building relationships, as well as confidence in developing strategy, providing counsel, and working directly with donors. The job also includes a lot of space for experimentation and creativity – so a growth mindset and adaptability are highly desirable.

TO APPLY:
This is an in-person position with the possibility of regular work-from-home. To learn more and apply, visit the University's employment page and search for Job ID 344121.
https://humanresources.umn.edu/content/find-job

We are asking for a cover letter about your interest in the position and its key parameters; a resume; and a document with short answers to the questions below. For the questions, think high-level answers, not essays. We won’t count, but we recommend no more than 300 words. We recognize that applying for a position takes effort, and we look forward to reading your materials.

1. Tell us about a recent advancement or engagement strategy or plan you developed and how you tracked its effectiveness or success. Did it meet or exceed your goals? What was effective about it or could be improved?
2. What is one thing you’ve learned in the past year that has changed, to any degree, how you think about or approach supporters, donors, partners or collaborators?
3. How have you incorporated diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in your work, and/or what do the DEIJ values described above mean to you?

We will begin reviewing applications on November 1, 2021 and the posting will remain open through November 30, 2021.

SALARY INFORMATION
The market midpoint for this job is $96K, and the salary offered will consider the candidate’s relevant experience and qualifications, as well as equity and parity within UMN.