Development Generalist, Development and Alumni Engagement

University Of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Michigan's College of Pharmacy seeks a Development Generalist to advance fundraising and alumni engagement. You will support donor identification, engagement, solicitation, stewardship, and pipeline development.

The role reports to the Executive Director of Development and Alumni Engagement, provides strategic support to leadership, and will start onsite five days a week before transitioning to a hybrid schedule with at least three onsite days per week.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 2-3 years of professional-level experience in fundraising, alumni/constituent relations, program management, or higher education administration.
• Demonstrated discretion and initiative with confidential initiatives.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Data Management, Prospect Research & Reporting responsibilities including tracking data, identifying major-gift opportunities and preparing reports.
• Project Management & Administrative Coordination including budget management and coordination with Marketing/Communications.
• Administrative Support for the Executive Director including scheduling, travel, and meeting prep.
• Collaboration with Colleagues to engage students, faculty, and staff in fundraising and donor engagement.

Skills

Fundraising

Alumni relations

Program management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Development Generalist, Development and Alumni Engagement

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume (due to system limitations). Your cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline experience that is directly related.

To be considered you must be eligible to work in the United States without requiring university sponsorship for continued employment.

Job Summary

The College of Pharmacy is looking for a relationship-oriented Development Generalist to help us advance fundraising and alumni engagement. You will support donor identification, engagement, solicitation, and stewardship while contributing to pipeline development, prospect research, communications, campaigns, events, and data tracking. You will help design, and execute our fundraising strategy, with primary oversight of alumni engagement, student philanthropy, and donor-pipeline development.

You will also provide strategic and administrative support to our Executive Director and gain broad experience in advancement, fundraising, alumni relations, and donor engagement while helping us grow philanthropic support for the College.

You will report to the Executive Director of Development and Alumni Engagement.

During the first few months, we ask that you are onsite five days per week. Once onboarding is complete, the position will transition to a hybrid schedule of at least three onsite days per week.

Responsibilities*

Data Management, Prospect Research & Reporting - 25%

• Support pipeline development by tracking and analyzing student, alumni, donor, and prospect data; research prospects; and identify major-gift opportunities
• Use engagement metrics to prioritize prospects and develop sustainable, multi-year giving strategies
• Maintain accurate donor database records, including contacts, portfolio plans, solicitations, opportunities, events, mailings, stewardship, and file uploads
• Compile reports, create prospect and mailing lists, analyze data across sources, and coordinate and track email and print communications
• Partner with our Executive Director to identify new and improve existing strategies to engage alumni with our College
• Exercise discretion in setting campaign-related strategies, establishing participation targets, and determining policy compliance for student and alumni giving programs.
• Make operational gift acceptance and allocation determinations for annual-level, special project, and student philanthropy contributions
• Manage alumni engagement and volunteer activities; develop a tracking system and record participation in a way that supports pipeline development and major gift strategy
• Lead alumni event and reception planning
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications team on newsletters, alumni spotlights, social media, and other engagement projects

Project Management & Administrative Coordination - 20%

• Support our team with special projects, events, fundraising, solicitations, and donor engagement activities
• Manage program-specific allocation budgets related to alumni events and student philanthropy campaigns
• Help with stewardship efforts, including gift processing, acknowledgment letters, reports, mailings, and milestone recognition
• Partner with Marketing and Communications on donor proposals, collateral, and related projects
• Help us develop development education for College of Pharmacy faculty, staff, and students
• Partner with the Office of University Development (OUD) on football season coordination, including invitations, parking, briefings, tickets, and logistics

Administrative Support for the Executive Director - 20%

• Provide administrative and strategic support to our Executive Director, including scheduling, meeting preparation, research, travel, expenses, reports, and other requests
• Support donor engagement by coordinating meeting logistics, preparing briefings and materials, and assisting with follow-up

Collaboration with Colleagues - 10%

• Provide cross-trained support to our Pharmacy Development and Alumni Engagement team, including special projects and shared responsibilities
• Help us foster a culture of philanthropy by engaging College of Pharmacy students, faculty, and staff in fundraising and donor engagement

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of 2-3 years of professional-level experience in fundraising, alumni/constituent relations, program management, or higher education administration or an equivalent combination of education, development internships/fellowships, and professional experience
• Demonstrated experience exercising discretion and initiative when managing complex and confidential initiatives
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, with demonstrated capacity to represent the institution to internal and external partners

Why Work at Michigan?

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

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 .

Work Schedule

40 hours/week, Monday through Friday; occasional evenings and weekends required for special events.

Application Deadline

Although the Posting End Date may indicate otherwise, this job may be filled and closed anytime 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 Title

Development Generalist

Modes of Work

Onsite
Hybrid

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

College Pharmacy

Department

College of Pharmacy

Posting Begin/End Date

9/15/2026 - 9/25/2026

$60,000.00 - $67,000.00

Administration
Development/Institutional Advancement