Assistant Vice President for Donor Engagement

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How to Apply

We require a cover letter for consideration. Please attach it as the first page of your resume (due to system limitations).

To be considered, you must be eligible to work in the United States without requiring university sponsorship for continued employment.

Job Summary

The Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Donor Engagement is a senior leader responsible for shaping and implementing a comprehensive, donor-centered engagement strategy that strengthens relationships across the full giving continuum. As a member of the Leadership Team (LT), the AVP plays a critical role in advancing the university's fundraising priorities by deepening donor connection, loyalty, and lifetime value.

You will provide strategic oversight and integration across multiple engagement functions, including Marketing & Communications, Stewardship & Donor Relations, Donor Digital Experience, Annual Giving, University & Development Events, and Presidential Engagement. The AVP ensures these areas operate cohesively to deliver a seamless, personalized, and data-informed donor experience.

You will report to: Vice President for Development

You will oversee several senior directors. These include the Senior Executive Director of Marketing & Communications, the Senior Director of Annual Giving, and the Senior Executive Director of Stewardship and Events. Additionally, you will oversee the Special Liaison to the President's Office and the Office of the Vice President and Secretary. Finally, you will also be responsible for the Director of Donor Digital Experience and Digital Hub.

This position is eligible for hybrid work. You will need to be in-person at least 3 days per week to maintain leadership presence.

Click here to review the full job description, and for more information about our current campaign, visit our website.

Responsibilities*

Strategic Leadership & Vision (50%)

• Develop and lead a comprehensive donor engagement strategy aligned with institutional fundraising priorities and campaign goals.
• Serve as an advisor to the Vice President for Development and a collaborative partner across the development community and university leadership.
• Champion a donor-centric philosophy that emphasizes personalization, stewardship, and building long-term relationships.
• Serve as a connector across silos, driving integration and shared accountability for results.
• Promote alignment across all engagement touchpoints to ensure a consistent, high-quality donor journey.
• Oversee the development of compelling, integrated activities that leverage multiple channels (digital, print, events, etc.).
• Cultivate a meaningful partnership with cross-institutional departments such as the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan (AAUM) and the Office of the Vice President for Communications (OVPComm) that results in deeper engagement of the university's constituents.

Team Leadership & Oversight (40%)

• Provide leadership and direction to the following functional areas:

• Marketing & Communications

• Annual Giving

• Donor Digital Experience & Digital Hub

• Presidential Engagement

• Stewardship, Donor Relations, and Gift Fund Management

• University & Development Events

• Lead and develop a team of leaders, promoting a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Ensure appropriate structure, resourcing, and alignment across both large, established teams and smaller, specialized functions.

Data, Analytics & Performance Management (10%)

• Use data and analytics to inform strategy, measure effectiveness, and continuously improve outcomes.
• Establish clear goals and metrics across engagement functions.
• Foster a culture of data-informed decision-making and experimentation.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10-12 years of progressive leadership experience in development/advancement, marketing, communications, or related fields.
• Expertise leading complex teams and managing multiple functional areas.
• Experience developing integrated engagement or fundraising strategies.
• Strong understanding of donor lifecycle, stewardship best practices, and annual giving strategies.
• Experience leading through influence, building relationships, and collaborating across a complex organization.
• Experience using data and analytics to inform strategy and achieve results.

Why Work at Michigan?

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

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 the work modes.

Additional Information

Although the posting end date may indicate otherwise, this job may be filled and closed any time after a posting duration of seven calendar days.

Exciting News: We Moved!

Join our team at our brand-new location, Michigan House! You'll find us at 2301 Commonwealth Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.

For additional information about this position and to review other current openings in Development, please visit our website at: https://giving.umich.edu/um/careers

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.