Advancement Associate

The College of Design advancement team seeks a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and flexible Advancement Associate. The role supports the college's alumni relations and development functions to build engagement, partnership, and financial support from alumni, friends, and design professionals. This position will report to the Lead Development Officer, working closely with both alumni relations and development staff by providing donor stewardship activities, annual fund, events coordination, project and office management, communications, and administrative support. A willingness to learn new responsibilities and software programs, a high level of organization, adaptability, and accurate attention to detail are keys to success in this role. This is a 100%, 12-month, continuing civil service position. This position requires full-time in-person work with opportunities for remote/flexible work.

Responsibilities

Stewardship & Fundraising Support: 40%

• Coordinate stewardship strategies and tactics to establish and expand a culture of giving across numerous constituencies; work with the University of Minnesota Foundation on stewardship activities including annual reports on endowments
• Provide administrative support for a comprehensive stewardship program to build long-term giving relationships and a legacy of increasing support with alumni and benefactors by focusing on education, cultivation, and gratitude.
• Manage and identify best practices for the benefactor acknowledgment process.
• Partner with development officers to ensure follow-through on donor strategies and assist in advancing relationships with benefactors and alumni.
• Partner with finance, academic, and administrative departments across the college to coordinate fund utilization spending plans.
• Serve as the Annual Giving administrator for the college; work with the University of Minnesota Foundation and development colleagues to coordinate mailings, e-appeals, and phone solicitations.
• Provide donor acknowledgment support by monitoring the UMF Donor dashboard for gifts that require custom and/or Dean acknowledgment; be responsible for the execution of these custom phone calls, emails, and letters by the Dean, development officers, or faculty.
• Carry out additional development recognition projects; provide administrative support to development officers, including editing/reviewing documents, calendar management, and other support duties as needed.

Alumni/Donor Engagement & Event Support 30%

• Participate in alumni and donor-centric event planning and manage event logistics.
• Serve as a contact/resource for alumni relations and development; screen and respond to phone and email requests.
• Create and maintain event listings on the University's calendar system (Live Whale).
• Serve as a primary user of the Donor Management System (DMS) to maintain constituent records, submit queries, run reports, and manage engagement coding.
• Train and supervise student staff to support data projects.

General Support: 30%

• Book reservations and ensure travel expenses, vendor invoices, and reimbursements are completed and submitted.
• Maintain supplies related to team operations (eg: gifts, postcards, thank you notes, etc.).
• Provide support to departments and units on fund administration, with a focus on ensuring private support/foundation funds are used appropriately and comply with Memorandums of Agreement.
• Serve as a liaison between departments, finance, the Foundation, and the college Advancement team.
• Help maintain alumni/donor data and mailing lists.
• Hire and supervise Advancement student worker(s).
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree or a combination of related education and work experience equal to at least 4 years.
• Computer experience in a work environment, including experience with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work productively, professionally, independently, and collaboratively.
• Previous service experience with demonstrated ability to provide excellent customer service to a variety of constituents from diverse backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, abilities, etc.
• Attention to detail with a high degree of accuracy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and prioritize multiple tasks. Evidence of self-initiative.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills and the ability to provide creative solutions.
• Previous experience writing basic and complex correspondence.
• Special events planning and/or coordination experience.
• Experience providing customer service by all three methods: phone, email, and in person.
• Demonstrated discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Exposure to or experience with any of the following:
• The University's Donor Management System (DMS) or any other database software.
• Mass email marketing/Customer Relations Management (CRM) tools (i.e. SalesForce Marketing Cloud).
  Adobe Photoshop.
• Electronic communications, including web content systems or social media.
• Previous lead worker experience.
• Previous experience with development or alumni relations.

Located within the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, the College of Design encompasses a full range of design disciplines including Apparel Design, Architecture, Graphic Design, Human Factors & Ergonomics, Interior Design, Landscape Design, Product Design, and Retail and Consumer Studies. In addition to its undergraduate and graduate programs, the College of Design houses five research centers, two research labs, and the Goldstein Museum of Design.

Pay Range: $47,000 - $52,000 annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 75% - 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented 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

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

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

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.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).