Senior Director of Development, MSU College of Law
Opening Information
Post Date:11-08-2017
Department:University Advancement
Deadline:02-15-2018
Salary Range:Negotiable
Description
The Michigan State University College of Law seeks an accomplished, strategically-minded, results-oriented development professional to serve as its Senior Director of Development. In partnership with a dynamic and energetic dean, the Senior Director will plan, implement and lead the strategic direction of an advancement program that includes major gift fundraising, leadership annual giving, alumni engagement and communications. In addition to providing this programmatic oversight, this individual will lead the College in exceeding its $23 million fundraising goal as part of the Empower Extraordinary campaign. The Senior Director will also map out and execute a post-campaign strategy designed to maintain the momentum generated by the campaign and increase the donor base. With 14 months remaining, the College currently is at 94% of its campaign goal.
The ideal candidate will be one who has an understanding of and appreciation for law in order to build upon the foundation of its advancement program. S/he will have had experience managing a team and in implementing administrative and operational activities in an environment in which accountability-based metrics are used as benchmarks of performance. S/he also will have proven success in identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding individuals, corporations and foundations for significant 5, 6 and 7-figure support.
This is an important moment in time for the College of Law as it reflects back on its unique 126 year history and at the same time, looks forward – with great optimism – to its promising future. Originally founded in 1891 as the Detroit College of Law, it affiliated with Michigan State University in 1995 in order to provide students with access to a wealth of resources and opportunities found in a Big 10 setting while still preserving the school’s student-centric culture. With more than 11,500 alumni, the College is dedicated to providing a learning environment where students acquire the professional skills and ethical grounding needed to become excellent advocates, stalwart members of the bar, and leaders in their communities. With a new strategic plan and renewed curriculum in place, MSU Law is poised to reach a higher level of sustained excellence. Inherent in its values is an unshakable commitment to offer a legal education that is affordable, imparted by outstanding faculty and thought leaders, and enriched by best-in-class experiences and programs. The Senior Director will play a critical role in helping the college to fulfill this commitment.
Qualifications
Required: Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in such fields as communications, public relations, business, the arts, the humanities or similar programs; five - eight years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in professional fundraising, public relations, marketing, or a related field or related and progressively more responsible or expansive professional experience in higher education development, public relations, or a related field; knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving; this position requires travel; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Desired: Undergraduate degree; a JD or experience with the legal profession is preferred; five - eight years in professional fundraising, preferably demonstrating progressive responsibility and experience in higher education fundraising; demonstration of an understanding of the key development disciplines of principal gifts, major gifts, planned gifts, corporate and/or foundation gifts and annual gifts; proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership gifts at the six and seven-figure levels; a track record of success leading a development operation; and approach to management that brings out the best in staff and yields pride, ownership and a sense of team effort; superior communication skills and the ability to connect with a variety of audiences; clear and effective written and oral presentations; demonstrated ability to plan and successfully execute a significant comprehensive campaign.
How to apply
If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Kristin Bradley, Senior Executive Director of Constituency Programs at kbradley@msu.edu.
All candidates must submit an application and resume through the Michigan State University Human Resources web-based system (MAP). The URL for this website is www.careers.msu.edu. Please indicate the position number 474106 when submitting your application.
Screening of applicants will continue until the position is filled.
MSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.
MSU is committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. The university actively encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans and persons with disabilities.