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Director of Institutional Partnerships and Strategic Giving

How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Job Summary

The Director of Institutional Partnerships and Strategic Giving is part of the major gifts team and leads efforts to secure philanthropic opportunities from corporations, foundations, and other organizational partners to advance the university's mission and strategic priorities. The Director will develop and cultivate high-impact relationships with corporate and foundation partners, working collaboratively across campus to develop proposals, align funding priorities and drive meaningful engagement strategies with internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities*

Strategic Leadership

+ Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy for corporate and foundation fundraising, including identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding organizational donors.

+ Monitor trends in corporate and foundation philanthropy to inform strategy and identify emerging opportunities.

+ Proactively market the university's core assets in research, facilities, education services, students and faculty based upon current knowledge of the trends, needs and opportunities of targeted industry partners

Direct Fundraising

+ Lead efforts to secure transformative (six- and seven-figure) gifts from corporate and foundation partners to advance university priorities in research, programming, and capital development.

+ Actively manage a targeted portfolio of prospects, setting and achieving defined engagement and revenue goals.

+ Perform in-person cultivation and solicitation visits, both on campus and at donor offices, to foster strong relationships and advance funding opportunities.

+ Oversee the drafting and submission of persuasive proposals, grant applications, and impact reports tailored to funder expectations.

+ Ensure proactive stewardship and recognition of donors through consistent communication, reporting, and relationship management.

+ Monitor and document all fundraising activity and donor interactions within the university's advancement database.

Partnership Development and Collaboration

+ Cultivate and maintain robust relationships with corporate and foundation decision-makers, linking their giving priorities with university initiatives.

+ Collaborate with student groups, faculty, deans and university leadership to identify new and leverage existing corporate/foundation funding opportunities.

+ Partner with development directors, and units across campus to identify initiatives and projects suitable for corporate and foundation support.

+ Prepare university leaders for involvement in cultivating and soliciting key corporate partners and engaging with key foundation leadership.

+ Offer consultative support to deans and senior administrators on building and leveraging key industry relationships.

+ Serve as a key resource for the campus in navigating philanthropic funding opportunities with corporations and foundations.

+ Work alongside development peers on other U-M campuses to share contacts, coordinate approaches, and amplify results.

Skills You Have

+ Exceptional relationship-building and communications skills, with the ability to engage effectively with corporate executives, foundation leaders, faculty and internal stakeholders.

+ Strong writing, proposal development, and presentation skills.

+ Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, goal-oriented environment.

+ Strategic thinker with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.

+ Familiarity with advancement databases and data-driven fundraising practices.

Required Qualifications*

+ Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.

+ Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible fundraising or foundation/corporate relations experience, preferably in higher education or a complex non-profit organization.

+ Proven track record of securing six- and seven-figure corporate and/or foundation gifts and grants.

+ Ability to travel and participate in evening and weekend activities as needed

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 thework modes (https://hr.umich.edu/working-u-m/my-employment/ways-we-work-resource-center/ways-we-work-implementation-group/modes-work) .

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Job Detail

Job Opening ID

268112

Working Title

Director of Institutional Partnerships and Strategic Giving

Job Title

Major Gifts Officer Lead

Work Location

Dearborn Campus

Dearborn, MI

Modes of Work

Hybrid

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

Dbn Inst Advancement

Department

Dbn Institutional Advancement

Posting Begin/End Date

9/01/2025 - 9/15/2025

Salary

$105,000.00 - $115,000.00

Career Interest

Development/Institutional Advancement