Working/Functional Title

Assistant Director of Devel, NatSci

Position Summary

Basic Function and Responsibility

Are you passionate about building relationships and securing major gifts for multifaceted research that tackles pressing global challenges?  The College of Natural Science (NatSci) at Michigan State University is a dynamic interdisciplinary powerhouse focused on using discovery, innovation, and our collective ingenuity to advance knowledge across the natural sciences. 

NatSci is seeking a talented, collaborative, and ambitious individual to join our successful and synergetic development team as the Assistant Director of Development. Reporting to the Senior Director for the college, the Assistant Director will serve as a major gift fundraiser and oversee the annual giving program. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, managing a portfolio of donors for the College; focus primarily on discovery work and new alumni/donor engagement; building the pipeline for long-term relationships that promote the reputation and success of the College and MSU; overseeing the Annual Giving program; and participating in college initiatives/events.

The ability to think and act strategically will be critical to the success of this position. The Assistant Director of Development will play a key role in developing and advancing donor relationships and encouraging increased giving through the execution of cultivation and stewardship strategies for alumni and friends of the College of Natural Science. With a portfolio of 75-100, the Assistant Director of Development is responsible for developing ongoing personal relationships with prospects, as well as internally with stakeholders who can support the deepening of those relationships. In their gift work, the Assistant Director will employ an aggressive, strategic management workload process, averaging 12-15 significant contacts and two to four solicitations per month. 

The ideal candidate must thrive in a fun, collaborative, team-oriented environment that values positivity and shared success. A passion for celebrating both big and small milestones and contributing to a culture of support and encouragement is essential.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Discovery, Cultivation, Solicitation, and Stewardship:

• Maintain an active portfolio of 75-100 prospects under strategic management.
• Achieve fundraising goals through an active and consistent program of prospect/donor outreach, including 180 significant personal contacts annually. Travel is required.
• Conduct research to identify and meet prospects to qualify them through discovery visits.
• Engage donors and potential donors through personal visits, online meetings, phone calls, email, mail, social media, or other strategies as appropriate.
• Determine prospects’ passions/interests/needs and meld them with college funding priorities and opportunities.
• Serve as a consultant to donors on the tax advantages of various types of gifts.
• Develop proposals, appeal letters, and other materials for engagement, cultivation, and solicitation purposes.
• Oversee the annual giving responsibilities for the college by preparing materials for the yearly campaigns including the College Solicitation, Veterans Day Campaign, Giving Tuesday, Give Green Day, and Earth Month strategies. Manage and oversee Crowdpower content for departmental needs and priorities.
• Prepare briefing papers for the dean or other leadership prior to meeting with donors.
• Plan and host campus visits of donors, potential donors, or their representatives.

Strategy & Coordination:

• In collaboration with other colleges and units as well as regional gift planning and MSU Alumni Office colleagues, develop and execute engagement plans for prospective and current donors within your portfolio to identify and cultivate major gift prospects.   
• Prepare annual personal fundraising goals and analyze/report goal accomplishments.
• Participate in professional development and career-building activities demonstrating an eagerness to learn and a desire to excel in the fundraising profession.
• Serve as subject matter expert to build strategies with faculty, leadership, and other internal stakeholders that lead to transformational gifts.

Stewardship:

• Continue to engage, communicate impact, and build trust to steward supporters’ commitment to MSU and NatSci to move to additional gift conversations.

Minimum Requirements

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.

Desired Qualifications

• Love of travel including automobile, airline, and rail.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to “close” gifts or business deals with demonstrative experiences securing gifts of $50,000 or more.
• Experience building a business trip for both in- and out-of-state business travel focused on building relationships and maximizing engagement and philanthropic opportunities.
• Collaborative team-oriented style.

If you have experience with the responsibilities outlined in this job description or possess transferable skills, we encourage you to apply! We seek driven, successful fundraisers to join our team and contribute to our ambitious campaign.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Resume and cover letter 

Special Instructions

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Patricia Karam, Director of Talent Acquisition, at karampat@msu.edu. 

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Work Hours

8 am - 5 pm with possible evenings and weekends

Website

Advancement.msu.edu

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

The Bidding Eligibility ends on 04/15/2025 at 11:55 PM