Director of Devel, Honors College Development Officer IIS

Working/Functional Title

Director of Devel Honors College

Position Summary

A premier program of Michigan State Universitythe HonorsCollege is a community of approximately 3200 bright academically talented undergraduate students who wish to pursue and achieve academic excellence through active innovative the intimacy of a small college atmosphere on the campus of one of the worlds leading research universities the Honors College attracts the highest caliber students from across the country to MSU and produces highly successful graduates. More than 17500 graduates in fact who are leaders in their fields and are making meaningful contributions within their communities and around the world.

Under the leadership of a dynamic and energetic new dean the college seeks a confident creative collaborative enthusiastic and results-oriented major gift officer who understands and has appreciation for academic excellence to build upon the foundation of its advancement program. As part of Michigan State Universitys $4 billion Uncommon Will. Far Better World. comprehensive campaign the Honors College has set an ambitious goal of $45 million. The director will be instrumental in helping the college achieve this goal by identifying cultivating and soliciting individuals for significant 6- and 7-figure support as well as periodic special purpose appeals and programs with business industry and interested foundations. The selected candidate must be an exceptional fundraiser an accomplished motivator and mentor an effective manager of people and a visionary change agent who has a proven track record in successfully leading dynamic development programs. Experience leading comprehensive/capital campaigns in higher education is a plus.

Serving as the colleges chief development officer thedirector willmaintaina personal prospect portfolio ofmajor donorprospectsas well asemployastrategic moves management program to ensure constant positiveprogressionalong thedonor continuumand engage new audiences to build the by example thedirector will overseean assistant directorof development and work in partnership with the Honors College deans and unit directors to drive the colleges campaign strategy willwork closely with thedean senior administrators and volunteer leadership to ensure that theHonorsCollege reaches its full philanthropic potential.

As MSU strategicallyprogressesthroughitsthirdbillion-dollar plus campaign the Director willassume a leadership role inplanning and spearheading thecampaign effort for the includes recruiting and training volunteersarticulating the case for supportidentifyingand cultivating prospects developingengagementstrategies to best positionsuccessful proposal deliveryand activelysolicitingphilanthropic investmentswith a focus on gifts of $100000 andgreater.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising:

• Plans and implements methods of prospect identification cultivation and solicitation to maximize fundraising support and match donors interest with the needs of the College. The director will manage a portfolio of approximately 60-75 major gift prospects strive to conduct 15-20 significant contacts (visits/virtual) per month which will include discovery visits to qualify new prospects and deliver 2-3 proposals per month.
• Plans and implements the majorandplannedgiftsstrategyfor the Collegeas well as funding from other sources including corporations and foundations.
• Assistsdonorsregardingtax laws policies and procedures and resolves problemstomaintaina positive image of the University.

Personnel Management:

• Supervises directsmotivatesand evaluates stafftoassureconsistencyinquantity and quality of work performed.
• Setsclear direction and priorities for staff of professionals and administrative support through well-defined andmeasurablegoals; inspiresand motivatesstaff through the free flow of information placing staff members work within the context ofthe Collegesstrategic priorities as well as within the mission of Michigan StateUniversity.
• Leadsbyexampleandfostersa work environment that recognizes and rewards cross functional collaboration and team-based achievements and setsclear expectations for future success.
• Actively mentors and trainsstaffprovidingfrequent opportunities for professional learning and growth; emphasizesretention as a means of increasing capacity andexpertiseof the and financial resources and promotesgreater efficiency.
• Providesthe structure and guidance necessary to promote a high-performance culture that meets the needs and expectations of a successful and diverse alumniand donorcommunity.
• Recruits trains motivates and evaluates volunteerstoaccomplishcollege goals andobjectives.

Programmatic Management:

• Supervises and/or coordinates with external relations staff including development alumni public relationsand communicationstoensure coordination of information to alumni and friends of the College.
• Audits internal operations to develop standardized procedures and to ensure conformity with established policy.
• Assistsin setting both long- and short-term goals/plans todetermineresourcesrequired.
• Plans hosts andcommunicatesat meetings of the public and University personnel to provide information on the College and/or University.
• Assistsin budget preparation to ensureefficiency andconsistency with departmental goals.
• Coordinates the composingeditingand publishing ofCollegeliterature to provide staffand volunteers with campaign progress reports.

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

• Michigan State University Alumni/Individuals/Major Corporations/Businesses/Employees and Corporate Leadership - tosolicitas potential donors handle their donor requests and to cultivate and train them as potential volunteers.
• Facultyand College Leadership- todeterminecollege/department priorities andinvolvethemoncampaigndirection to seekadviceon needs to answer funding questionsandadvisethem onfundraisingstrategy.
• Staff - to train/guidetheir workestablishgoalsandpriorities andensure cohesive executionof college strategies by the team.
• Department Heads/Michigan State University Executive Management - to consult and coordinate work withinUniversitystructure to aid in the identification of potential donors and gain supportofspecial projects.
• Michigan State University Vice Presidentand Associate Vice Presidentof University Advancement-to advise on the progress of specificcollegecampaignsand goals.
• Michigan State Universitycampaign leadership- to seektheir adviceon the cultivation and solicitation of major donors and toassistthem insolicitingdonors.
• Michigan State University Trustees -to seekadvice and obtainassistanceforsolicitation whenappropriate.
• Peers/Professional Organizations - to obtain advice andcounselon options beingconsidered for programs.
• Government Agencies/Foundations -to assesscurrent funding priorities andparticular donor procedures.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Direction is received from theSeniorExecutive Director of Constituency Programs andfrom the Dean oftheHonorsCollege.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Supervision over theAssistantDirectorof Development for theHonorsCollegeand collaboration/coordination of work priorities regarding shared administrative assistance.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Communications Public Relations Marketing and/or Business; three to five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in public relations volunteer administration professional and higher education fund raising marketing or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Travel isrequired.A validvehicle operators license isrequired.

Desired Qualifications

• Five to sevenyearsof successful fundraising experience (preferably in higher education)including several years at a director in related fields such aspublic relationsor marketingmay be taken into consideration.
• Demonstrated organizationalinterpersonaland written/oral communications.
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating major gifts through planned giving instruments.
• Working knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving.

If you have experience with the responsibilities outlined in this job description or possess transferable skills we encourage you to apply! We seek driven successful fundraisers to join our team and contribute to our ambitious campaign.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin citizenship age disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Resume and cover letter

Special Instructions

If you have any questions regarding this position please contact Patricia Karam Director of Talent Acquisition at .

#LI-PK1

Work Hours

8 am - 5 pm with possible evenings and weekends

Website

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Bidding eligibility deadline is January 20 2026 at 11:55 PM