Director of Development, Libraries
Opening Information
Post Date:09-22-2021
Department:University Advancement
Deadline:10-22-2021
Salary Range:Negotiable
Description
Michigan State University seeks a Director of Development to lead the fundraising program for the MSU Libraries. The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker, have demonstrated experience as a collaborator, strong management skills and a track record of personal fundraising success. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned advancement professional to grow philanthropic support from individuals, corporations and foundations.
Reporting to both the Executive Director of Constituency Programs and the Dean of Libraries, the Director of Development will have responsibility for increasing the philanthropic potential for MSU Libraries. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with colleagues across University Advancement and internally with teams in the Libraries including marketing, collections, education and community outreach, to ensure a holistic approach to building a comprehensive philanthropy program. Collaborate closely with Libraries division and unit heads to discuss and coordinate prospective material donations that support scholarship in a variety of collecting areas. The Director will work closely with the Dean and other key stakeholders to articulate funding priorities and to communicate these to diverse constituencies. In addition, they will work collaboratively with colleagues across MSU to identify giving opportunities that benefit the libraries and other areas that align with the donor’s interests.
Managing a team of professional and administrative staff, the Director will personally participate in the identification, cultivation and solicitation of principal/major gifts, and will also be an active and visible member of the network that includes Michigan State’s key donors located regionally and nationally. They will also provide strategic philanthropic direction for this unit.
MSU Libraries
MSU Libraries serve more the 5,500 faculty, 38,000 undergraduates, and 11,000 graduate and professional students on a park-like campus of over 5,000 acres. The MSU Libraries have combined holdings of over 6 million volumes with renowned collections
in music, film, agriculture, Africana and comic art and cutting-edge services including a makerspace and digital scholarship lab.
The MSU Libraries values diversity of thought, perspective, and experience and is actively committed to a culture of inclusion and respect. The candidate will enthusiastically partner with others to grow our welcoming multicultural environment.
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Fundraising:
- Develop and manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, with emphasis on 6- and especially 7-figure gifts.
- Plan and implement comprehensive strategies for prospects through the donor cycle of identification, solicitation and cultivation, and stewardship, coordinating activities with development colleagues across campus and the geographic regions, where appropriate.
- Provide assistance to donors regarding tax laws, policies and procedures and resolves problems to maintain a positive image of the University.
Personnel Management:
- Set clear direction and priorities for staff of one professional and one administrative support personnel. Promote excellence through well-defined and measurable goals; inspire and motivate staff through the free flow of information placing staff members’ work within the context of the Libraries strategic priorities as well as within the mission of Michigan State, consistent with University Advancement policies and procedures.
- Lead by example; foster a work environment that recognizes and rewards cross-functional collaboration and team-based efforts. Celebrate current achievements and set clear expectations for future success.
- Actively mentor and train staff, providing frequent opportunities for professional learning and growth; emphasize retention as a means of increasing capacity and expertise of the team. Fully leverage human and financial resources and promote greater efficiency.
- Provide the structure and guidance necessary to promote a high-performance culture.
- Recruit, train, motivate and evaluate volunteers to accomplish program goals and objectives.
Programmatic Management:
- Define and pursue a comprehensive, effective program for engagement and stewardship of past, current and future donors; oversee principal/major gift and annual giving functions for the Libraries; emphasize cultivation strategies that recognize the importance of personal interest and motivation in philanthropy to maximize donor potential; create and promote opportunities for increased volunteerism in coordination with University Advancement procedures.
- Audit internal operations to develop standardized procedures and to ensure conformity with established development policies.
- Plan, host and communicate at internal and external meetings to provide information on the Libraries at MSU or the University more broadly.
- Develop and monitor budget and expenses to ensure stewardship of university resources and alignment with departmental goals.
- Assist in setting both long- and short-term goals to determine resources required.
- Participate with appropriate teams to strategically link to community and outreach activities that have the potential to align and synergize with the philanthropic community and the work of the development team with donor populations.
COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Interacts with:
- Michigan State University alumni, individuals, corporations, foundations, and community members to solicit as potential donors, handle their donor requests and to cultivate and train them as potential volunteers.
- Leadership Team, Libraries – with a focus on building a culture of philanthropy that includes working collaboratively to develop fundraising priorities and engaging them in the fundraising process.
- Staff – to train and oversee their work and to establish priorities.
- Department Heads/Michigan State University Executive Management - to consult and coordinate work within University structure to aid in the identification of potential donors and gain support of special projects.
- Michigan State University Vice President of University Advancement – to advise on the progress of specific campaigns.
- Michigan State University Fundraising Colleagues – to seek their advice and partnership in the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major prospects and donors.
- Peers/Professional Organizations – to obtain advice and council on options being considered for programs.
- Volunteers – Provide strategic direction for the recruitment and management of volunteer boards.
Qualifications
MINIMUM 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/or higher education fundraising, marketing or related field
- Or an equivalent combination of education and experience
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Undergraduate degree, advanced degree is preferred
- Seven to ten years in professional fundraising, preferably five or more in higher education
- Demonstrated experience in marketing, development of budgets, preparation and presentation of case statements and analysis of operations
- A demonstrated commitment to MSU’s core institutional values, including strengthening a climate of respect, caring, diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Meaningful experience in or knowledge of all key development areas (major giving, annual fund, planned giving, and corporate and foundation relations)
- Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership gifts at the six- and seven-figure level
- A proven and sustained track record of success leading a development operation
- An 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
- Exceptional experience in working in a collaborative and complex organization that assures donor coordination
- Ability to prepare clear and effective written and oral presentations
- Demonstrated ability to plan and successfully execute a significant comprehensive campaign
- Working knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving; the ability to travel regionally and nationally
How to apply
If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Pat Karam, Director of Recruitment, University Advancement, karampat@msu.edu
All candidates must submit an application and resume through the Michigan State University Human Resources web-based system. The URL for this website is careers.msu.edu. posting number 733538.
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.