Assistant Development Officer – Weisman Art Museum, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

Overview

The Assistant Development Officer is a critical member of the WAM Development team and reports to the Chief Development Officer at WAM. The person in this position will be a self-starter who is able to prioritize workload, and work collaboratively with WAM team members.

The Development Operations Coordinator:

  • Develops and/or implements processes to support donor relations, annual and major giving, and stewardship.;
  • Provides support in stewardship and recognition efforts for donors. Generates and oversees completion of memorandum of agreements (MOAs) and fund creation requests. Supports and engages with Board members ;
  • Participates in the management and execution of activities to advance donor fundraising potential;
  • Develops and manages WAM grant proposals and reporting, including statistical reporting done by program staff and gathered by the development operations coordinator;
  • Develops communications plans and strategies to support programming, services, and/or initiatives, and engage prospective donors and friends.;
  • Delivers proposals to prospective donors, requesting and/or closing on gifts.;
  • Responsibilities may include management of comprehensive campaign operations, which includes participation in campaign planning and execution, assisting with volunteer management, campaign reporting, and donor stewardship.

30% Major Gifts Development:

  • Develop and implement strategies for each prospect, including ways to increase

involvement of donors and prospects in the activities of the museum. 

Utilize expertise of colleagues at the Foundation’s offices: Leadership Annual Giving, Planned Giving, Gift Administration;

  • Develop a portfolio of approximately 50-75 actively managed prospects in the $10k-$25k category;
  • Qualify prospects into major gifts prospects at the $25,000+ level;
  • File timely and accurate gift reports with the University of Minnesota Foundation’s Donor Management System (DMS);
  • Provide regular progress reports on the prospect cultivation and solicitation;
  • Assist in management of museum recognition and fundraising events, including exhibition openings and small donor gatherings;
  • Manage the “Acknowledgements 2.0” process in partnership with the Foundation (automated thank-you emails, mailings, and personal calls);
  • Primary liaison for donor event RSVPS and sending e-invitations.

30% Annual Giving Project Management 

  • Broaden and increase the level of contributed revenue through implementation of annual giving campaigns; 
  • Maintain portfolio of member prospects for identification, qualification, cultivation, and solicitation;
  • Manage the museum’s annual development calendar of events, mailings, reports, and special campaigns;
  • Manage tri-annual appeal mailings (copy, asset design, and query selection) in collaboration with the Foundation’s Annual Giving Dept and University Printing Services;
  • Serve on Development-Marketing team with colleagues ;
  • Develop and implement communications strategies for prospective members and first-time donors; 
  • Serve on museum task forces and committees as assigned.

25% Grants Management:

  • Maintain the annual grants calendar of proposals and report requirements for governmental agencies, corporations, and private foundations;
  • Manage the gathering of statistics from program staff for the purpose of grant reports;
  • Work with program staff to develop, submit and manage grant proposals, including the submission process with Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA) personnel;
  • Insure that reporting for grants is done in a timely fashion;
  • Stay informed of current and future program funding needs determined by artistic leadership;
  • Assist in the creation of a new sponsorship program in conjunction with existing programming;
  • Provide progress reports on prospect cultivation and solicitation;
  • Become trained in proposal and reporting requirements set by the University’s Sponsored Projects Administration, working closely with the museum accountant.

15% Data Management and Gift Administration:

  • Manage the regular gift processing, pledge reminders, and proper acknowledgements (in collaboration with the U of M Foundation’s Central Stewardship Services) and oversee maintenance of donor records in the DMS database; prepare reports as directed;
  • Maintain a high level of confidentiality with secure database and sensitive research data;
  • Serve as the primary list and report generator for senior staff analysis;

Other

  • This position requires travel within the Twin Cities metropolitan area and the state of Minnesota, as well as occasional attendance at local evening and weekend events.

TERMS: This is a 100% time annually renewable academic professional appointment.

Qualifications

Required:

  • Baccalaureate degree, plus two years of experience
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including customer service, conflict resolution, and facilitation;
  • Strong analytical and problem solving abilities;
  • Strong organizational skills;
  • Ability to collaborate with and coordinate with multiple internal and external stakeholders. 
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities;
  • Demonstrated experience working with databases, websites, and related technologies.

Preferred:

1-3 years of development, alumni relations, project or event management or transferrable

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online through the U of M job website. Position number: 352407

You will have to complete an online application for the position and MUST attach the following:

  • cover letter
  • resume
  • list of three professional references with their contact information

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail

employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

About the Weisman

Housed in a striking stainless steel and brick building designed by architect Frank Gehry, the Weisman Art Museum offers an educational and friendly museum experience. The museum’s collection features early 20th century American artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe and Marsden Hartley, as well as a diverse selection of contemporary art. A teaching museum for the University of Minnesota and the community, the Weisman provides a fresh, engaging arts experience through an array of [programs and a changing schedule of exhibitions. There’s always something interesting to see and do at the Weisman.

Categories: Job Postings