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University Advancement

Director of Development – Mid Michigan and Northern Michigan Region

Post Date: 03-31-2021
Deadline: 06-03-2021
Job No.: 697976
Department: University Advancement
Type: Administrative Professional
Salary Range: Negotiable

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Description

Michigan State University Advancement seeks a seasoned, independent-working, motivated fundraiser to plan, implement, and evaluate comprehensive major gift fundraising activities for individuals in the Mid-Michigan and Northern Michigan region, with primary emphasis on the greater Lansing area. When appropriate, the Director of Development will oversee and manage special campus wide fundraising initiatives as directed by University Advancement leadership. As a Regional Director of Development, he/she focuses efforts on donors and prospects whose philanthropic capacity is $100,000 and more, managing a portfolio of approximately 100 major gift prospects for discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.  The Director averages 5-8 face-to-face visits per month which result in significant progress toward major gifts or the qualification and rating of new prospects, and 1-2 major gift solicitations per month that garner capital, endowed, annual, and deferred support. The Director will work from an office in University Advancement on the MSU campus.  Already a very experienced fundraiser, communicator, and collaborator who understands the unique nature of the region, he/she becomes knowledgeable about MSU colleges and constituency units, representing them to the Mid-Michigan regional alumni, faculty, staff, retirees, and friends. The Director will solicit these prospects on behalf of colleagues on campus and/or the university as a whole. Whether working independently, or collaboratively as part of a team with fundraising colleagues, he/she juggles fundraising responsibilities with the multiple demands of working with donors/prospects, hosting events, arranging individual appointments for University leadership, building networks of volunteers who take active roles in the current capital campaign, and documenting activity on University Advancement’s database. The Director of Development for Mid-Michigan and Northern Michigan will be part of the Office of Individual Giving team at MSU, which includes the offices of Regional Major Gifts, Gift Planning, Special Constituencies and Talent Development (Development Associates program and the University Advancement student intern program).

As MSU strategically executes its second billion-dollar plus campaign, the Regional Director of Development will assume a leadership role in planning and spearheading a regional campaign effort in the greater Mid-Michigan and Northern Michigan area, in cooperation with our University Advancement major market strategy. This includes recruiting and training volunteers, qualifying and cultivating prospects, developing and reviewing proposals, and actively soliciting contributions. For more information on this position, please visit our career opportunities website at www.advancement.msu.edu/careers/.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Prospect Management and Fundraising 

  • To research and develop plans and strategies for solicitation of major gifts, with a focus on gifts and pledges of $100,000 or more.
  • To assist in the coordination of activities with constituency-based development officers, regional major gift officers and gift planning advisors to maximize efficiency of the solicitation process and magnitude of gifts. 
  • Oversee and manage special campus wide fundraising initiatives directed by University Advancement leadership.
  • To maintain records and resource materials which will assist in the identification of major gift prospects interested in support of particular university programs and activities.
  • To assist constituency-based development officers, faculty, and administrators in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift prospects likely to support specific university programs and activities. The Central Development staff can be called upon to work with the President, Provost, Vice Presidents, and other university leadership in the region.
  • To develop proposals and gift agreements and assist University Development staff, faculty, and administration in the presentation of proposals and gift agreements to major gift prospects.
  • To establish direct or indirect contact with those major gift prospects having the greatest potential for support of university programs and activities to assure a level of mutual understanding conducive to support.
  • Plan and host campus visits for major gift prospects with faculty and university leadership as part of a strategic cultivation plan when required.
  • Schedule and arrange for visits by senior university leadership with major gift prospects in the region to move along strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
  • Prepare reports on the activities/operations of the region and its accomplishments, and maintain the prospect tracking system for major gift prospects, especially those within the Regional Director’s portfolio.  
  • Develop promotional materials, transmittal letters, and other supportive material required for discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
  • Provides assistance to donors regarding tax laws, policies and procedures and resolves problems in order to maintain a positive image of the university.

Development and Implementation of a University Advancement Strategy in the Region 

  • Plan and produce strategic engagement opportunities in the region for major gift prospects ranging from targeted dinners with individuals and couples, to small campaign-related dinners, to partnering with the MSU Alumni Office and University Advancement alumni donor relations team on larger alumni engagement events, when appropriate.
  • Represent the university at fundraising meetings and other appropriate occasions, speak to professional organizations and other appropriate groups as program needs dictate, and host development-related functions.
  • To organize, train, and utilize volunteers to assist in accomplishing specific program goals and objectives.

RELATED DUTIES

  • Perform analyses of fundraising activities and prepare reports for the Executive Director of Individual Giving, University Advancement, university officials, volunteers, and other related groups and stakeholders.
  • Serve as fundraising consultant and advisor to university leadership as necessary.
  • Duties associated with this position involve working on a display terminal at least 10% of the time.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

  • Direction received from the Senior Director of Development – Michigan

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

  • Michigan State University alumni/friends/corporations/businesses/employees and corporate leadership - in order to solicit as potential donors, handle their donor requests and to cultivate and train them as potential volunteers.
  • Regional major and gift planning colleagues, and constituency-based development colleagues - in order to coordinate cultivation and solicitation strategies for major gift prospects in an effort to maximize the campaign gift potential.
  • Michigan State University executive management - in order to consult and coordinate work within University structure to aid in the discovery of potential donors and gain support of special projects.
  • Michigan State University Vice President of University Advancement and Associate Vice Presidents of University Advancement - in order to advise on the progress of specific campaign/regional goals.
  • Michigan State University campaign leadership - in order to seek their advice on the cultivation and solicitation of major donors and to assist them in soliciting donors.

 

Qualifications

REQUIRED

knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Business, or other related disciplines; 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.

 DESIRED 

  • An advanced degree and/or professional fundraising certification is preferred.
  • Five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive experience in professional fundraising, public relations, marketing or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; possession of a valid vehicle operator’s license. 
  • Collaborative team-oriented style.
  • Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Experience in public speaking.
  • Experience with “Moves Management” or related strategic relationship development. 
  • Ability to “close” gifts or business deals with demonstrative experiences closing gifts of $100,000 or more.
  • Working knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving.
  • Travel is required. Possession of a valid vehicle operator’s license.

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 that website is careers.msu.edu. Please indicate the position number 697976 when submitting your application.