Bell Museum Associate Development Officer – University of MN Twin Cities

Bell Museum 

Payrange: $54,000- $64,000

This is a full time P&A position.

Benefit Summary for Prospective Employees

Location: UMN St Paul Campus

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled: Priority given to applications received before July 17,2022

About the role:
This is a time of growth and opportunity for the Bell Museum as we celebrate our 150th anniversary in 2022. As associate development officer, you will have the opportunity to work for a primarily public-facing unit of the University of Minnesota (as part of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences – CFANS), while leveraging the horsepower, expertise and resources of the University of Minnesota Foundation. As an associate development officer, you will have a dynamic portfolio of primarily individuals in addition to corporations and private foundations. You will manage and build an active portfolio and focus on making solicitations of $25,000+ and fostering strong, sustainable and donor-centered relationships and partnerships. In this role, you will be an active member of the Bell Museum community, in addition to being a member of the CFANS development team and University of Minnesota Foundation.

We are looking for someone to join our team who is inspired by our mission to ignite curiosity and wonder, explore our connections to nature and the universe, and create a better future for our evolving world. We believe that difference is a strength and are looking for candidates that reflect and respect diversity. We encourage you to apply for the position even if you do not believe you meet every qualification. The associate development officer position is eligible for a hybrid work environment.

What you’ll do:

Major Gifts (50%):
• Maintain an active portfolio (100+ ) of individual donors, corporations and private foundations with a focus on solicitations of $25,000+.
o Performance expectations for this position include making 6+ solicitations and work towards raising $100,000-$500,000 annually.
• With the support of the University of Minnesota Foundation’s prospect research team build a pipeline of major gift donors through engagement and qualification.
• Leverage partnerships and expertise at the University of Minnesota Foundation – specifically prospect development, planned giving, and the Bell’s annual fund & membership manager.
• Collaborate with the Director of Development to support the Bell’s priorities and strategic plan goals.
• Continue to raise the profile of the Bell Museum through collaboration with development staff across the University of Minnesota / University of Minnesota Foundation.
• Maintain accurate and timely donor records through UMF’s donor management system.

Grants | Sponsorships (35%):
• Collaborate with Bell Museum staff to support solicitations to private foundation and corporate donors.
• Execute grant proposals and reports that reflect the impact and quality of Bell Museum programs and initiatives.
• Develop and solicit corporate donors for sponsorships of special projects, exhibits and events and ensure sponsorship deliverables are executed.
• Collaborate with the Director of Development on annual grant strategy, bringing ideas and prospects to the table.
• Work in partnership with UMF corporate and foundation teams to ensure proper coordination and monitoring of the grant process.

Leadership Annual Giving | Pipeline Development (10%):
• Solicit leadership annual gifts to build a future pipeline for the Bell ($1,000-$10,000)
• Collaborate with the Annual Fund & Membership manager on opportunity for personal solicitations at the higher level annual fund

Stewardship | Recognition | Events | Communications (5%):
• Assist in management of all museum stewardship and fundraising events, including donor and member events.
• Coordinate with other members of the development team to execute member and donor stewardship and engagement strategies.
• Assist with creating development communications for donors, website.

Required qualifications:
● Bachelor’s degree
● Minimum of 2 years of successful individual fundraising experience – or four or more years of experience in marketing, consultative sales, public relations, financial advisement or related field where you were responsible for cultivating/soliciting and maintaining long-term, trusting client relationships (either individual or business) for provision of services.
● Ability to work independently and with excellent judgment and attention to detail
● Demonstrated evidence of ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously by employing effective management strategies
● Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team to support the strategic directions of the institute and the overall vision of the director
● Proficient in the use of PC software (Microsoft package), databases and email systems

Desired qualifications:
● Demonstrated ability to promote and successfully solicit gifts, managing a prospect portfolio, designing and implementing cultivation and solicitation strategies, and ensuring follow-up activities and stewardship; preferably in a museum or nonprofit setting
● Proven ability to work effectively and tactfully with a diverse group of internal and externalconstituents
● Master storyteller – excellent written and oral communication skills
● Thrives in a collaborative environment

The mission of the Bell Museum is to ignite curiosity and wonder, explore our connections to nature and the universe, and create a better future for our evolving world.

The Bell Museum is Minnesota’s official natural history museum, for over a century, the museum has preserved and interpreted our state’s rich natural history and served learners of all ages. Additionally, our scientific collections contain over one million specimens, representing every county in Minnesota and various locales around the globe, and the Whitney and Elizabeth MacMillan Planetarium expands the mission to the universe and points beyond.

The new Bell Museum facility opened in 2018 and welcomed over 230,000 members of the community through our doors that year. Since opening the new museum, the Bell has continued to be recognized as a leader and innovative, providing world-class exhibition and visitor experiences, and STEM education programs committed to our mission of igniting curiosity and wonder, exploring our connections to nature and the universe, and creating a better future for our evolving world.

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you’ll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning.  We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also 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 Scholarship
• 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

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

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.

In addition to the online application, please submit a resume and a cover letter. 

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 [email protected] or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

For questions about the position contact Kate Sigurdson, [email protected]. 

We believe it is essential to create an environment that welcomes and empowers people from historically underrepresented​ ​​and marginalized communities to have equitable access to the museum’s resources as well as opportunities to transform our work.  We are committed to upholding the diversity, equity, and inclusion definitions and values set forth by the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and the University of Minnesota.

These values will be integrated in all aspects of the museum, including:

• Hiring, recruitment, retention, and advancement of staff and volunteers
• Selection and evaluation of program and exhibition content
• Providing meaningful opportunities to participate in planning and leadership

Read more about our commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility & inclusion on this page,

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.

Please note: All employees at the University of Minnesota are required to comply with the University’s Administrative Policy: COVID-19 Vaccination and Safety Protocol by either providing proof of being fully vaccinated on their first day of employment, or complete a request for an exemption for medical exemption or religious reasons. To learn more please visit:  https://safe-campus.umn.edu/return-campus/get-the-vax

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.