Senior Director of Development, College of Law
Opening Information
Post Date:06-29-2022
Department:University Advancement
Deadline:10-09-2022
Salary Range:Negotiable
Description
Michigan State University College of Law seeks an accomplished, strategically-minded, results-oriented development professional to serve as its Senior Director of Development. In partnership with a dynamic and energetic dean, the Senior Director will plan, implement and lead the strategic direction of an advancement program that includes major gift fundraising, leadership annual giving, alumni engagement and communications. In addition to providing this programmatic oversight, the Senior Director will also map out and execute a campaign strategy for the upcoming MSU campaign, focusing on engaging diverse alumni and securing resources for the MSU College of Law strategic priorities.
The ideal candidate will be one who understands and appreciates law to build upon the foundation of its advancement program. They will have had experience managing a team and in implementing administrative and operational activities in an environment in which accountability-based metrics are used as benchmarks of performance. They also will have proven success in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding diverse individuals, corporations, and foundations for significant 5, 6 and 7-figure support.
This is an important moment in time for the MSU College of Law as it reflects on its unique 131-year history and at the same time, looks forward – with great optimism – to its promising future. Originally founded in 1891 as the Detroit College of Law, it affiliated with Michigan State University in 1995 to provide a Big 10 setting in a state of art facility. In 2021 the MSU College of Law was fulling integrated within MSU. With more than 11,500 alumni, the College provides a learning environment where students acquire the professional skills and ethical grounding needed to become excellent advocates, stalwart members of the bar, and leaders in their communities.
With a new 2022 DEI strategic plan and an in-progress 2023 strategic plan that will chart the course for the COL next ten years, MSU College of Law is poised to reach a higher level of sustained and inclusive excellence to become the preeminent law school in Michigan serving diverse communities in Michigan and beyond. Inherent in its values is an unshakable commitment to legal education that is 1) affordable to ensure that student employment choices are not constrained by excessive debt and is 2) imparted by outstanding faculty and thought leaders, 3) includes traditional as well as contemporary areas of study such as health law and legal inequities, and 4) includes the best-in-class and experiential opportunities. The Senior Director will play a critical role in the fulfilment of this commitment.
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities
FUNDRAISING
- Develop long-range, annual and immediate plans to fully develop the gift and grant potential from private sources to the MSU College of Law.
- Plan and direct the college’s campaign goals and activities.
- Personally develop and manage a portfolio of approximately 1o0 prospects with emphasis on 6- and 7-figure gifts.
- Plan and implement comprehensive strategies for prospects through the donor cycles of identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship with a goal of conducting a minimum of 100 significant visits annually. Plan and host campus visits as well as schedule in- and out-state travel to meet with donors or potential donors.
- Aid donors regarding tax laws, policies, procedures and resolve problems to maintain a positive image of the College and University.
PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
- Set clear direction and priorities for staff of four professionals and administrative support personnel. Promote excellence through well-defined and measurable goals.
- Lead by example; foster a work environment that recognizes and rewards personal and team-based efforts.
- Recruit, retain, actively mentor and train a diverse staff, providing opportunities for professional learning and growth including DEI competencies.
- Organize, train, and utilize committees of volunteers, individual volunteers, and appropriate personnel to assist in accomplishing specific program goals and objectives.
- Serve as a fund raising consultant and advisor to college personnel, as necessary and appropriate.
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
- Lead all aspects of the development and advancement initiatives of the MSU College of Law.
- Design and implement programs and events (on and off campus) that are strategic and that promote meaningful engagement with the College for diverse potential donors Ensure proper, prompt, strategic follow-up.
- Consult with and obtain the support and endorsement of appropriate leaders and officials across the College and University in the development and implementation of program plans.
- Facilitate and provide philanthropic training to College leaders and staff.
- Advise on communication strategies and content to support fundraising and advancement efforts.
- Represent the MSU Law College at fund raising meetings and other appropriate meetings as well as speak to professionally related organizations and other appropriate groups as needs dictate.
- Audit internal operations to develop standardized procedures and to ensure conformity with established development policies.
- Develop and monitor budget and expenses to ensure stewardship of college resources and alignment with departmental goals.
- Perform analysis of fundraising activities and prepare and interpret statistical data results for College leadership, volunteers, University Development, and other related groups.
Communications/Interpersonal Relationships
- Michigan State University and MSU College of Law Alumni, Individuals, Major Corporations, and Businesses - to solicit as potential donors, handle their donor requests, and train them as potential volunteers.
- Faculty, Program Directors, other College Leadership and Staff including communications- to educate and train them in development direction, to seek their advice on needs, answer funding questions and advise them on funding strategy.
- Clerical and Support Staff - to implement the necessary detailed work for fund-raising and advancement programs.
- Peers – to obtain advice and counsel on options being considered for programs and to coordinate the cultivation and solicitation of donor prospects.
- 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 such fields as communications, public relations, business, the arts, the humanities or similar programs; five - eight years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in professional fundraising, public relations, marketing, or a related field or related and progressively more responsible or expansive professional experience in higher education development, public relations, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience. This position requires travel.
Desired Qualifications
Undergraduate degree; a JD (Juris Doctorate) or experience with the legal profession is preferred; five - eight years in professional fundraising, preferably demonstrating progressive responsibility and experience in higher education fundraising; demonstration of an understanding of the key development disciplines of principal gifts, major gifts, planned gifts, corporate and/or foundation gifts and annual gifts; proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership gifts at the six and seven-figure levels; a track record of success leading a development operation; and 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; clear and effective written and oral presentations; demonstrated ability to plan and successfully execute a significant comprehensive campaign.
How to apply
If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Patricia Karam, Director of Recruitment at karampat@msu.edu.
All candidates must submit an application, resume and cover letter through the careers.msu.edu website. The URL for this website is careers.msu.edu. Please indicate the position number 790992 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 disabili