Associate Director of Development, Education
Opening Information
Post Date:01-19-2025
Department:University Advancement
Deadline:03-10-2025
Salary Range:Negotiable
Description
Assoc Director of Devel, College of Ed
Position Summary
Basic Function: The College of Education, together with the Office of University Advancement, is seeking an accomplished, responsive, collaborative and results-oriented fundraiser to join its Advancement team. This team member will be the primary development liaison for several units within the college, and will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward alumni and friends of the College of Education, as well as corporate, foundation, and other college stakeholders, in its efforts to improve teaching and learning across our nation and world, particularly within the contexts of urban and global education. The ability to think and act strategically will be critical to the success of this position.
The Associate Director of Development will focus efforts on face-to-face contact with prospects whose philanthropic capacity is $100,000 or more, managing a portfolio of 125 to 150 major donor prospects. It is expected that the Associate Director will average 15 to 20 face-to-face strategic visits, which result in “moves” toward major gifts, and 2 to 4 major gift solicitations per month. The Associate Director will play a pivotal role in the identification and qualification of major donor prospects in preparation for MSU’s next capital campaign.
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:
Directly reporting to the Senior Director of Development for the Education, the Associate Director of Development will:
Solicitation, Cultivation & Discovery:
- Collaborate and coordinate with College of Education Office of Development, University Advancement, and administrators and faculty of the College of Education to create and carry out fundraising strategies and solicitation of gifts of $100,000 and more
- Build strong, engaged relationships with major gift prospects to determine and merge prospect passions/interests/needs with MSU/College of Education areas of funding priority and opportunity
- Engage 15-20 major prospects through personal visits which result in strategic “moves” toward closure of major gifts ($100,000+) each month
- Maintain accurate donor/prospect records in the Ascend system, planning and documenting significant strategic prospect “moves” toward closure of major gifts
- Recruit, train, and manage volunteers who assist with planning and carrying out development objectives
- Regular travel by automobile and air
Strategy & Coordination:
- Interpret needs/priorities of College of Education units, verbally and in writing, to engender a level of understanding that is conducive to giving
- Participate as part of the College of Education Advancement team on strategic planning and initiatives, budgeting, reporting, and special events
- Assist the Senior Director of Development in planning for the capital campaign. This includes the development of funding priorities, the identification and cultivation of leadership gifts, recruitment of volunteers, and development of the case for support
- Build working relationships with internal constituents to enhance information exchange between College of Education units, including advising faculty and administrators of appropriate fund-raising strategies
Data Management & Planning:
- Prepare annual personal fundraising goals and analyze/report goal accomplishment
- Assist in planning and implementing special purpose appeals as necessary
- Attend appropriate workshops and seminars to enhance professional development
- Act as a public goodwill ambassador for Michigan State University and all units contained within the College of Education
- 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, and analysis, and the Ascend database
Qualifications
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. Must have a valid driver’s license at the time of hire.
Desired Qualifications
- 3-5 years of professional major gift fund raising experience in higher education or readily transferable skills and a proven track record of working in a complex environment
- Working knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, organizational skills and intellectual curiosity
- Collaborative team-oriented style and ability to work with a variety of personality types
- Experience with “Moves Management” or related strategic relationship development
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Travel required
If you review this job description and have done many of the responsibilities or have transferable skills, we want to hear from you and welcome your application! We are seeking successful, ambitious fundraisers who want to become part of our team and help us in our ambitious campaign!
How to apply
If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Patricia Karam, Director of Talent Acquisition, at karampat@msu.edu.
All candidates must submit an application, resume, and cover letter through the Michigan State University Human Resources web-based system; the URL for this website is careers.msu.edu. Please indicate the position number
HOW TO APPLY
If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Patricia Karam, Director of Talent Acquisition, at karampat@msu.edu.
All candidates must submit an application, resume, and cover letter through the Michigan State University Human Resources web-based system; the URL for this website is careers.msu.edu. Please indicate the position number 1016769 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 a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. The University actively encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans, and persons with disabilities.
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 a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. The University actively encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans, and persons with disabilities.