Associate Director of Development, MSU Student Success Development Officer II

Working/Functional Title

Associate Director of Development MSU Student Success

Position Summary

Michigan State Universitys MSU Student Success development team is responsible for raising funds for crucial initiatives dedicated to the undergraduate student experience. This expansive Unit raises critical support for several divisions across campus all of which directly impact the experience and success of undergraduate students.

The MSU Student Success development team is seeking an enthusiastic energetic and results-oriented individual to join its dynamic fundraising team as the Associate Director of Development focused on MSU Student Success priorities. The Associate Director will be instrumental in helping the Unit achieve aggressive goals by identifying cultivating and soliciting individuals for significant 6- and 7-figure support as well as for periodic special-purpose appeals and programs with key constituencies corporations and foundations.

This individual will focus their portfolio on campus-wide presidential initiatives but will also function as a team member in an office dedicated to student success as a whole. The Associate Director of Development is expected to be an accomplished responsive and collaborative member of the MSU Student Success development team who executes an aggressive donor activity schedule to ensure a continuous pipeline of private support for the university. The Associate Director will report directly to the Senior Director of Development for the MSU Student Success development team and will work closely with senior-level executive administration at the university.

The Associate Director of Development will manage a portfolio of approximately 75 major donor prospects focusing on prospects with philanthropic capacity of $100000 or more to maximize fundraising potential on behalf of Michigan State University. The Associate Director will average 12-15 face-to-face strategic visits per month resulting in greater engagement and movement toward a major gift solicitation at a rate of 2 to 4 solicitations per month with all solicitation efforts cleared and coordinated with University Advancement at Michigan State University. The Associate Director will travel as needed to facilitate donor engagement and close major gift solicitations.

The duties of the Associate Director of Development for MSU Student Success include but are not limited to the following:

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:

Fundraising:

Engage in the identification cultivation and solicitation of gifts from individuals corporations foundations professional groups and key constituencies in support ofStudent Success initiativesat Michigan State University resulting ina standard metric of $3M raised annually.

Collaborate and coordinate with University Advancement and the administrators and faculty of the divisions thatMSU Student Successcovers to create and carry out fundraising strategies and solicitation of gifts of $100000 and more.

Identifyandmaintainan active pool of 75 prospects under strategic management.

Achieveindividual andunit fundraising goals through an active and consistentpracticeof prospect/donor outreach that includes 180 significant contacts annually.

Utilize phone calls email mail social media and other strategies to identify connect with and engage alums to solicit financial support.

Identify qualify and work to build strong engaged relationships with major gift prospects todetermineand merge prospect passions/interests/needs withMSU Student Successareas of funding priority and opportunity.

Schedule prospect/donor visits with members of the Unit leadership faculty or other Development colleagues whenappropriate.

Serve as a liaison officer between the Unit and donors/potential donors to ensure that such information and service as may be desired is provided to the full extent permitted by University policy rules and regulations.

Serve as a consultant to donors on the tax advantage ofvarious typesof gifts.

Plan and host campus visits for donors potential donors or their representatives.

Assist in planning and implementing special-purpose appeals as necessary.

Strategy & Coordination:

Interpret needs/priorities ofMSU Student Successunitpartners verbally and in writing to engender a level of understanding that is conducive to giving.

Participateas part of theMSU Student Success developmentteam on strategic planning and initiatives budgeting reporting andspecial events.

Assist the Senior Director of Development inexecuting the planfor theUncommon Will. Far Better World. campaign. This includesdeveloping funding prioritiesidentifyingand cultivating leadership gifts recruiting volunteers andcraftingthe support case.

Build working relationships with internal constituents to enhance information exchange between MSU Student Success units including faculty and administrators on appropriate fundraising strategies.

Data Management & Planning:

Prepare annual personal fundraising goals and analyze/report goal accomplishment.

Assist in planning and implementing special-purpose appeals as necessary.

Attendappropriate workshopsand seminars to enhance professional development.

Act as a public goodwill ambassador for Michigan State University and all the units contained within theMSU Student Successdivisions.

Ensure best practices in office systems practices files and record keeping; ensure effective use of strategic tools and resources such as contact reports prospect management research analysis and the Advance database.

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Interacts with:

• Michigan State University alumni individuals/Corporations/Businesses/Employees and corporate leadership to solicit potential donors manage donor requests and cultivate and train them as potential volunteers.

• Faculty and Department Chairs Program Directors and other University leaders to assist in the understanding and implementation of fundraising procedures to seek their advice on funding needs to answer development questions to advise them on development strategy and to solicit them as potential donors.
• Peers to obtain advice and counsel on options being considered for programs and coordinate the cultivation and solicitation of donor prospects.

If you review this job description and have completed many of the responsibilities or possess transferable skills we want to hear from you and welcome your application!

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.

Desired Qualifications

• Masters degree preferred.
• Five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive experience in professional fundraising public relations marketing or a related field; working knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Experience in public speaking.
• Collaborative team-oriented style.
• Experience with Moves Management or related strategic relationship development.
• Ability to close gifts or business deals with demonstrative experiences closing gifts of $50000 or more.
• Travel involving automobile airline and rail.
• Possession of a valid vehicle operators license at the time of hire.

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

Interested in joining the team at Michigan State University If you have any questions please contact Patricia Karam Director of Talent Acquisition at . To apply submit your application resume and cover letter at and reference position number.

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Work Hours

8:00 - 5:00 pm; possible evening and weekends with donor-centered functions

Website

eligibility ends on April 14 2026 at 11:55 PM