Bell Museum Associate Development Officer – University of MN Twin Cities

Bell Museum Associate Development Officer
Job ID345107
Location Twin Cities
Job Family Advancement
Full/Part Time Full-Time
Regular/Temporary Regular
Job Code9717G2
Employee Class Acad Prof and Admin

Salary Range: $58,000-$62,000

​Benefits Summary for Prospective Employees

Summary of Position

Working with the Director of Development, the Associate Development Officer works to implement fundraising strategies on behalf of the Bell Museum, with a focus on building a strong major gift pipeline, expanding meaningful corporate, individual and foundation donor engagement, and closing gifts. Responsibilities include securing leadership annual gifts and the active identification/qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of members and individuals for current and planned gifts, as well as corporate and foundation prospects for philanthropic grants and sponsorships. In coordination with the Director of Development and Annual Fund and Membership Manager, the Associate Development Officer will collaborate on donor and member event planning and execution.

Job Duties:
50% Major Gifts Development:
• Develop and implement strategies for each prospect, including ways to increase involvement and support from donors and prospects through Bell Museum activities and initiatives. Utilize a number of strategies including leadership annual giving, current and planned giving to develop a mutually beneficial philanthropic relationship with the donors. Develop and maintain a portfolio of approximately 100 major gifts prospects
• Make assessments to qualify prospects as current major gift prospects ($50,000 or more) and collaborate with the Director of Development to refer prospects.
• Actively solicits gifts with a goal of at least 6 solicitations per year at $25,000 or more.
• Total annual gift production expectations for this level of position range from approximately $100,000 to $500,000.
• Develop and coordinate proposals for major gifts within the portfolio and in collaboration with the Development Officers from other units. Execute moves/action steps on behalf of and in collaboration with the development teams.
• Complete and file timely reports, maintain accurate and relevant records with the University of Minnesota Foundation’s Donor Management System (DMS). Provide regular progress reports on the prospect cultivation and solicitation, and promptly complete and file through reports in DMS of all contacts.
• Collaborate with development staff across the University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota Foundation to expand funding opportunities for the Bell Museum.

30% Grants | Sponsorships:
• Develop and solicit corporate donors for sponsorships of special projects, exhibits and events and ensure sponsorship deliverables are executed.
• Collaborate with the Director and Development on annual grant strategy, bringing ideas and prospects to the table.
• Maintain and expand the grants calendar for the Bell Museum. This Includes taking an active role in writing and engaging appropriate Bell staff on proposal development and reporting.
• Work in partnership with UMF corporate and foundation teams to ensure proper coordination and monitoring of the grant process.
• Assist with the solicitation of sponsorship gifts for new and existing programs under the direction of the Director of Development.
• Provide progress reports on prospect cultivation and solicitation and complete contact reports in a timely manner.

15% Leadership Annual Giving | Pipeline Development:
• 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

5% Stewardship | Recognition | Events | Communications:
• 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 as part of public museum programs and activities.
• Assist with creating development communications for donors, website.

Qualifications
Required qualifications:
● Bachelor’s degree
● Minimum of 2 years of successful 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
● Exhibits integrity and discretion
● 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 external constituents
● Experience working in an arts/non-profit setting
● Demonstrated success with corporate/private foundation grants
● Experience with individual, corporate and private foundation fundraising
● Master storyteller – excellent written and oral communication skills
● Thrives in a collaborative environment
● Requires occasional regional travel and attendance at some evening and weekend events

About the Department
The mission of the 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, established by the legislature in 1872 and held in trust by the University of Minnesota. 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.

We are looking for individuals to join our team who are 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 development department is embedded within the Bell Museum which allows all team members to become uniquely connected to the culture and mission of the Bell Museum. In addition, development team members also work in collaboration with the Bell’s collegiate development partners in the College of Food Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, as well as the University wide development community, and University of Minnesota Foundation.

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

Questions about the position can be directed to Kate Sigurdson, [email protected].

 

Diversity
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.

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.

Please note: All employees at the University of Minnesota are required to report complete vaccination against COVID-19 or submit documentation requesting a medical or religious exemption on their first day of employment. To learn more, please visit the University’s COVID-19 Response webpage.

About the U of M

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.