Development Officer, Carlson School of Management

University of Minnesota Foundation; Twin Cities (CA); On-site; USD 88,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Generous time off

Tuition benefits

Retirement plans

PSLF program

Employee Assistance

Job summary

The Carlson School of Management Development Officer at University of Minnesota Foundation leads major gift fundraising, cultivating relationships with donors and translating academic priorities into fundable initiatives. You will manage a blended portfolio and collaborate across the CSOM and UMF teams to secure philanthropic support.

Required are a BA and 4+ years in fundraising, with travel flexibility and a track record of donor cultivation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 4 years of fundraising experience.
• Entrepreneurial spirit with problem-solving mindset.
• Strong accountability and mentorship capabilities.
• Ability to work with goals, metrics and performance indicators.
• Willingness to travel and work evenings and weekends; valid Minnesota driver’s license.
• Experience in higher education fundraising is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Engage in face-to-face donor work to advance gift conversations and ensure a gratifying donor experience.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a balanced major gift prospect portfolio.
• Serve as philanthropic advisor translating academic priorities into fundable initiatives.
• Develop blended portfolios and collaborate across units to enable big idea gifts.
• Document donor interactions and maintain timely, accurate reports for the team.
• Collaborate on planning fundraising activities and set donor engagement targets.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor engagement

Relationship building

Entrepreneurial mindset

Goal setting

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Donor management systems

Job description

Development Officer, Carlson School of Management

Job ID: 376128

Location: Twin Cities

Job Family: Advancement

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Job Code: 9703MA

Employee Class: Acad Prof and Admin

About the Job

Overview

The Carlson School of Management development team is a high performing, mission driven fundraising enterprise that consistently secures more than $24 million in philanthropic support annually. This dynamic team is composed of skilled, strategic development professionals who advance both college wide priorities and department level initiatives. With a proven record of cultivating meaningful donor relationships, the team plays a pivotal role in driving philanthropic investment that fuels the College’s academic excellence, research innovation, and student success. Operating within the University of Minnesota Foundation’s fundraising model—designed to create and ensure the most gratifying gift experience—the CSOM team embraces a culture of partnership, collaboration, and shared purpose in pursuit of exceptional outcomes for donors, the University, and the broader community.

Position Focus

The Development Officer is a high performing fundraiser and strategic partner responsible for driving philanthropic growth and securing major gifts for the Carlson School of Management. Reports to the Associate Vice President, Philanthropy for CSOM.

Responsibilities

Fundraising & Donor Engagement (90%)

• Focus on engaging in face-to-face meaningful donor work that advances gift conversations and supports the University of Minnesota ensuring a gratifying gift experience for all donors.
• Prospect Management: Actively identify and cultivate, solicit, and steward a balanced, healthy portfolio of major gift prospects through consistent outreach and relationship building.
• Serve as the philanthropic advisor/thought partner to donors, helping translate academic priorities into compelling, fundable initiatives.
• Under the direction of leadership, develop of blended portfolio, breaking down departmental silos to allow for "big idea" gift opportunities in addition to core unit priorities.
• Assist with the operational framework for specific fundraising initiatives ensuring alignment with University of Minnesota Foundation standards and strategic vision.
• Serve as a member of the overall development team by collaborating with colleagues across disciplines on donor strategies, maintaining timely, accurate reports and information.
• Perform one’s work within a framework of commitment to production, collaboration, innovation and purpose.
• Develop and maintain a thorough working knowledge of unit priorities.
• Manage and lead specific fundraising projects as assigned.

Other Duties as Assigned (10%)

• Collaborate in the planning and production of fundraising activities to define philanthropic goals, donor engagement targets, and logistical frameworks.
• Participate in ongoing professional development and training to stay current on philanthropic trends and advanced fundraising methodologies.
• Document all donor interactions and touchpoints by entering detailed contact reports to ensure accurate relationship tracking and seamless team-wide communication.
• Impact Reporting: Review and provide input on specialized impact reports for donors, showing exactly how their funds supported a specific unit or initiative.

Performance Metrics

UMFway Guidelines FY27

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 4 years of fundraising or related experience.
• Ability to lead with an entrepreneurial spirit, constantly pursuing solutions and effective/efficient enhancements.
• Skills in high-standard accountability paired with empathetic mentorship
• Deep understanding of goal-setting frameworks and performance metrics.
• Ability to maintain a growth mindset in all deliverables.
• Willingness to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends. Ability to maintain a valid Minnesota driver’s license.

Preferred:

• 6 or more years of fundraising experience.
• Experience in higher education advancement and nonprofit fundraising.
• Proven success in donor cultivation and donor management systems.

About the Department

At the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF), our mission is to connect passion with possibility, inspire generosity, and support greatness at the University of Minnesota by placing donors at the heart of everything we do and every decision we make. UMF is a nonprofit organization responsible for raising and managing gifts to the University of Minnesota.

For more information about UMF, please visit https://give.umn.edu/about/about-umf.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $88,000 to $100,000 depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree‑seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer‑paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.