Associate Director of Development, College of Engineering
Opening Information
Post Date:06-11-2026
Department:University Advancement
Deadline:08-06-2026
Salary Range:Negotiable
Description
MSU College of Engineering is seeking an Associate Director of Development to increase philanthropic support for student and faculty-focused, capital, and programmatic priorities. The preferred candidate will be an outcomes-oriented, proven fundraiser who has a strong proclivity for teamwork, collaboration, diplomacy, and an authentic appreciation for the power of philanthropy in higher education.
The MSU College of Engineering is finishing a historic year of fundraising success – nearing $100M in total philanthropic support and leadership on the fundraising efforts for a new $340M+ multidisciplinary project, the Leinweber Center for Engineering and Digital Innovation.
The College of Engineering is poised to significantly expand its fundraising activity from prospects within Michigan, across the United States and abroad who are interested in the College’s agenda to impart knowledge to students at all levels including secondary, undergraduate, graduate, and lifelong learning is implicit in this core value. The College believes in the discovery of new knowledge through innovative research that encourages entrepreneurship and economic development to benefit our global society. To support this mission, the College of Engineering seeks a major gift officer with a proven track record in closing 6 and 7 figure gifts.
This position will partner with the Senior Director of Development and the Development and Alumni Relations Team for the College of Engineering regarding planning and implementing a comprehensive fundraising program. The Associate Director of Development will manage a portfolio of major gift prospects to fully develop potential gift (cash and deferred) income to support the mission of the college.
The Associate Director of Development will manage a dynamic portfolio of approximately 75 major donor prospects, focusing efforts on prospects whose philanthropic capacity is $100,000 or more to maximize the fundraising potential within the College and on behalf of Michigan State University. The Associate Director will average 12-15 strategic interactions per month, which will result 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 the College and University Advancement at Michigan State University. The Associate Director will dedicate a significant amount of time traveling to manage prospect activity within key major metro areas, both in-state and out-of-state as noted above.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties of the Associate Director of Development are as follows but are not limited to:
FUNDRAISING -
- Identify and maintain an active pool of approximately 75 prospects under strategic management. Specifically, identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major donor prospects.
- Collaborate and coordinate with University Advancement colleagues and College of Engineering administrators and faculty to create and carry out fundraising strategies and solicitation of gifts of $100,000 and more, averaging 2 to 4 major gift solicitations a month.
- Work to build strong, engaged relationships with major gift prospects to determine and merge prospect passions/interests/needs with the College’s funding priorities.
- Achieve individual and college fundraising goals through active and consistent prospect/donor outreach that includes 150 or more significant contacts annually. Utilize phone calls, email, mail, social media, and other strategies to identify, connect with, and engage alumni to solicit financial support for the College. Attend college events as needed.
- Collaborate with major gift officers from University Advancement and other units to maximize philanthropic support and strategize on transformative giving opportunities.
- Engage 12-15 major prospects per month through personal interactions, which results in strategic “moves” toward closure of major gifts.
- Work collaboratively with and support volunteers, other development staff, and college representatives to cultivate and solicit donors for college-wide priorities.
EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION AND DONOR STEWARDSHIP -
- Support the development of briefings, proposals, and talking points for fundraising priorities.
- Partner with the college’s Assistant Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship and the broader Development team in developing and implementing major donor communication and stewardship plans for the college that includes donor updates, engagement events, and gift stories.
- Monitor all prospect contacts to ensure positive and purposeful prospect and donor relations.
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT -
- Serve as a fundraising consultant and advisor to department/division heads and faculty; develop strategies that grow philanthropic support for their respective areas.
- Assist with coordinating and participating in alumni and donor engagement, prospecting, recognition, and stewardship events as appropriate.
- Utilize 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.
- Lead by example in fostering a work environment that recognizes and rewards cross-functional collaboration and team-based efforts. Celebrate current achievements and set clear expectations for future success.
REPORTING
Reports to the Senior Director of Development, College of Engineering.
COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS
Interacts with:
- Michigan State University alumni, faculty/staff/retirees, friends, patrons, and other potential donors to solicit and handle their donor requests.
- Faculty and Staff - to educate and train them on development direction, seek their advice on needs, answer funding questions and advise them on funding strategy.
- Peers – to obtain advice and counsel for programs and coordinate donor prospects' cultivation and solicitation.
- Professional Organizations – to obtain advice and counsel on options being considered for programs.
- Government Agencies/Foundations – to assess current funding priorities and particular donor procedures.
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.
Travel required - Must have a valid driver’s license.
Desired Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree is preferred. An advanced degree in business, communications, public relations, marketing, or some other related field is desirable.
- Five years of experience in major gift fundraising, including a proven track record of securing corporate, foundation, and major gift support from individuals of $50,000 or more.
- Strong verbal and written communications and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a complex higher education institution and understanding and experience in development desired, as well as a collaborative team-oriented style.
- Experience in academic medicine or biomedical research fundraising.
- Knowledge of fundraising and tax law affecting charitable giving.
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 and reference position number 1138601.