Director of Regional Development - Greater Chicago
Job No.: 440415
Department: University Advancement
Type: Administrative Professional
Salary Range: Negotiable
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Description
Michigan State University Advancement seeks a seasoned, independent-working, motivated fundraiser to plan, implement, and evaluate comprehensive major gift fundraising activities for individuals in Illinois and Wisconsin, with primary emphasis on the greater Chicago metro area where we have over 22,000 alumni and friends. As a Regional Director of Development, he/she focuses efforts on donors and prospects whose philanthropic capacity is $100,000 and more, managing a portfolio of approximately 200 identified major gift prospects for discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. The Director averages 12 to 15 face-to-face visits per month which result in significant progress toward major gifts or the qualification and rating of new prospects, and 2 to 4 major gift solicitations per month that garner capital, endowed, annual, and deferred support. Already a very experienced fundraiser, communicator, and collaborator who understands the unique nature of the region, he/she becomes knowledgeable about MSU colleges and constituency units, representing them to the Illinois and Wisconsin area alumni and friends and soliciting them on behalf of colleagues on campus and/or the university as a whole. Whether working independently, with their regional fundraising colleagues, or as part of a team, he/she juggles day-to-day fundraising with the multiple demands of working with donors/prospects, hosting events and arranging individual appointments for University leadership, building networks of volunteers who take active roles in the current capital campaign, and documenting activity on University Advancement’s database. The Director of the Greater Chicago Region will be part of the Office of Individual Giving team at MSU, which includes Regional Major Gifts, Office of Gift Planning, Development Associates Program, and the University Advancement student intern program.
The Director may work from a home office within the region (preferred location is in the greater Chicago metro) or reside in Michigan and travel to the Chicago area regularly.
As MSU strategically executes its second billion-dollar plus campaign, the Regional Director of Development will assume a leadership role in planning and spearheading a regional campaign effort in the Greater Chicago area, in cooperation with our University Advancement major market strategy. This includes recruiting and training volunteers, qualifying and cultivating prospects, developing and reviewing proposals, and actively soliciting contributions.
Qualifications
Required:
The job requires: knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Business, or other related disciplines; 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 is required; a valid vehicle operator’s license is required.
Desired:
An advanced degree and/or professional fundraising certification is preferred; five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive experience in professional fundraising, public relations, marketing or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; possession of a valid vehicle operator’s license; 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 $100,000 or more; working knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving.
How to apply
If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Vivianne Robinson, Director of Human Resources, Recruitment and Training at robins85@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 440415 when submitting your application.
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.