Assistant Director of Development, College of Law
Opening Information
Post Date:06-05-2026
Department:University Advancement
Deadline:07-02-2026
Salary Range:Negotiable
Description
As the Assistant Director of Development for the College of Law (COL ), the successful candidate will be part of a collaborative team that plans and directs the organization and operation of an Advancement program for the college including the management of fundraising efforts in specific instate and outstate geographic areas. The ability to think and act strategically will be critical to the success of this position. The Assistant 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 75 major donor prospects. It is expected that the Assistant Director will average 16-17 strategic visits which result in “moves” toward major gifts, and 2 to 3 major gift solicitations per month. The Assistant Director will assist in prospect identification and volunteer recruitment and training as needed.
Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, the Assistant Director’s primary work location will be in East Lansing, Michigan at the College of Law. Providing support as needed and directed, it is expected that the Assistant Director will also provide fundraising support to the college across the state optimizing a combination of in-state travel and conferencing technology to best utilize time and resources. Regular travel is required involving automobile; additional travel involving air transportation.
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Solicitation, Cultivation & Discovery -
- Implement yearly strategic fundraising plan for the college, in collaboration with the development team, to meet established dollar/donor goals for the college’s major gift program of $100,000 and above to support the colleges endowment, expendable, and capital priorities.
- Build strong, engaged relationships with major gift prospects to determine and merge prospect passions/interests/needs with MSU/COL areas of funding priority and opportunity. Carry a portfolio of 75 prospects to create and carry out fundraising strategies and solicitation of gifts of $100,000 and more.
- Engage 16-17 major prospects through personal visits which result in strategic “moves” toward closure of major gifts each month ($100,000 and above).
- Interpret needs/priorities of COL units, verbally and in writing, to engender a level of understanding that is conducive to giving.
- Build working relationships with internal constituents to enhance information exchange between COL units as well as other MSU units, including advising faculty and administrators of appropriate fundraising strategies.
- Recruit, train, and manage volunteers who assist with planning and carrying out development objectives.
Program Support -
- Assist with the development and writing of materials that clearly identify funding priorities, articulate the case for the support of the college, and engender an insight conducive to giving in order t o advance the college’s campaign fundraising goals. Materia ls may include solicitation appeals, proposals, and other materials for engagement, cultivation, and solicitation, as well as marketing and communication materials targeted to alumni and donors.
- Assist with the coordination of and participation in college alumni and donor engagement, prospecting, recognition, and stewardship events as appropriate.
- Serve as a liaison between the donor/prospect and the university/college to ensure that information and services that may be desired are provided to the full extent permitted by university policy, rules, and regulations.
- Utilize the alumni and donor database to coordinate with other development colleagues, record contact activities , update donor information, record strategic moves management steps, and gift documentation as appropriate. Maintain accurate donor/prospect records in the database, planning and documenting significant strategic prospect “moves” toward closure of major gifts.
RELATED DUTIES
- Prepare personal fundraising goals and analyze/report goal accomplishments for Dean, University Advancement, volunteers, and other related groups.
- Serve as a fundraising consultant and advisor to the department heads and faculty as necessary.
- 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 the College of Law.
COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Interacts with:
- Michigan State University alumni and friends – in order to solicit as potential donors, manage donor requests, and to cultivate and train them as potential volunteers.
- COL administrators and faculty & staff in order 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 – in order to obtain advice and counsel on options being considered for programs and in order to coordinate the cultivation and solicitation of donor prospects.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
- Supervision is received from the COL senior director of development.
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; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in professional fund raising, public relations, marketing, higher education fund raising or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Must have a valid driver’s license; travel required.
Desired Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Business, or related field.
- Five to seven years of experience in professional fundraising, public relations, marketing, or related field.
- Professional fundraising experience in higher education.
- Available to manage 50% travel, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, when needed.
- Proven ability to work autonomously, collaboratively, and within a team structure.
- Demonstrated track record of financial development and/or productivity in a complex work environment.
- Knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Positive attitude and strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to multi-task and manage time effectively in a fast-moving environment.
- Demonstrated ability to work within a campus culture that includes a diverse array of personalities.
- Some knowledge of the Land Grant University.
- Collaborative team-oriented style.
- Experience with “Moves Management” or related strategic relationship development.
How to apply
Interested in joining the team at Michigan State University? For questions, contact Patricia Karam, Director of Talent Acquisition, at karampat@msu.edu. To apply, submit your application, resume, and cover letter at careers.msu.edu reference position number 1137346.