Position Summary

The College of Education (CED) seeks an accomplished, collaborative, and relationship-oriented member of its Advancement Team. The ideal candidate is an exceptional relationship builder who enjoys connecting with people, traveling to meet alumni and donors, and identifying meaningful opportunities for philanthropic investment. Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, the Assistant Director of Development serves as a frontline fundraiser responsible for building meaningful relationships with alumni, donors, and friends of the College to advance its philanthropic priorities.

Responsibilities include managing a portfolio of major gift prospects; identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors; partnering with college leadership, faculty, alumni, and University Advancement colleagues to strengthen donor engagement; supporting annual giving initiatives; participating in college and university engagement activities; and assisting the Senior Director with the planning and implementation of a comprehensive fundraising program that advances the College's strategic priorities.

Successful candidates will be strategic thinkers, outstanding communicators, and relationship builders who enjoy connecting people with opportunities to make a lasting impact through philanthropy.

This position requires frequent travel throughout Michigan and regular overnight travel, including occasional out-of-state travel, to conduct donor visits, attend events, and represent the College of Education.

 

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Solicitation, Cultivation & Discovery -

• Manage an actively assigned portfolio of approximately 75–100 prospects, developing individualized strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

• Achieve annual fundraising goals through a robust schedule of discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship visits consistent with University Advancement performance expectations.

• Identify and qualify new major gift prospects through discovery visits and strategic engagement.

• Build authentic, long-term relationships through in-person visits, virtual meetings, phone calls, written correspondence, and event participation.

• Learn donors' interests, passions, and philanthropic goals and connect them with meaningful College priorities.

• Develop solicitation strategies in partnership with the Dean, Senior Director, faculty, academic leaders, volunteers, and University Advancement colleagues.

• Prepare written proposals, stewardship plans, contact reports, and donor strategies.

• Coordinate donor activity with Regional Gift Officers and development colleagues across campus.

• Represent the College at donor, alumni, and university events throughout Michigan and nationally.

 

Annual Giving & Pipeline Development -

• Partner with Annual Giving and Communications colleagues to support annual giving initiatives and donor engagement strategies.

• Assist in developing communications and stewardship that strengthen donor relationships and encourage continued philanthropic support.

• Help identify annual donors with leadership and major gift potential.

• Participate in Give Green Day, Greenline, annual appeals, and other donor engagement efforts.

• Collaborate with Advancement colleagues to ensure consistent messaging that reflects College priorities.

 

Strategy & Collaboration -

• Build collaborative relationships with faculty, academic leadership, alumni relations, communications, and University Advancement colleagues.

• Participate in strategic planning for donor engagement and campaign initiatives.

• Maintain accurate prospect records, strategies, and activity reports using university systems.

• Prepare annual fundraising plans and monitor progress toward performance goals.

• Contribute positively to a collaborative and team-oriented advancement culture.

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

Three or more years of progressively responsible experience in higher education advancement or a related profession; demonstrated success building relationships with alumni, donors, volunteers, or community partners; excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong organizational and project management abilities; working knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving preferred.

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

Interested in joining the team at Michigan State University? For questions, contact Patricia Karam, Director of Talent Acquisition, at karampat@msu.edu.