Position Summary

MSU College of Human Medicine is seeking an Associate Director of Development to increase philanthropic support for student scholarships, public health and biomedical research, endowed faculty positions, and programmatic priorities. The preferred candidate will be an outcome-oriented and proven fundraiser working in local, state, and national markets as assigned.

The College of Human Medicine is a community-integrated medical school, located in rural and urban communities throughout the state, including Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Midland, Southeast Michigan, Traverse City, and the Upper Peninsula. The college has earned a national reputation for advancing excellence in medical student education and was founded on the idea that medicine can and should be taught where people live, work, and need medical care. The statewide campus system takes advantage of a unique opportunity to conduct collaborative multidisciplinary and multi-community research to address disease prevention, innovative therapies, and health equity. To support this mission, the college seeks a major gift officer with a proven track record in closing 6 and 7 figure gifts.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Associate Director of Development assists the Senior Director of Development for the College of Human Medicine with planning and implementing a comprehensive fundraising program. They will manage a portfolio of major gift prospects to fully develop potential gift (cash and deferred) income to support the mission of the college.

The Associate Director of Development will manage a portfolio of 75 +/- major donor prospects, focusing efforts on prospects whose philanthropic capacity is $100,000 or more to maximize the fundraising potential on behalf of Michigan State University. The Associate Director will average 15 strategic significant personal contacts per month, which will result in greater engagement and movement toward a major gift solicitation at a rate of 2 to 4 solicitations per month, with all solicitation efforts cleared and coordinated within the University’s Advancement community. The Associate Director will dedicate a significant amount of time traveling to manage prospect activity within key major metro areas, both in-state and out-of-state as noted above.

The duties of the Associate Director of Development are as follows but are not limited to:

FUNDRAISING -

• Identify and maintain an active pool of 75+/- prospects under strategic management. Specifically identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major donor prospects.
• Collaborate and coordinate with University Advancement colleagues, college administrators, and faculty to create and carry out fundraising strategies and solicitation of gifts of $100,000 and more, averaging 2 to 4 major gift solicitations a month.
• Work to build strong, engaged relationships with major gift prospects to determine and merge prospect passions, interests, and needs with the college funding priorities.
• Achieve individual and college fundraising goals through active and consistent prospect/donor outreach that includes 180 significant personal contacts annually. Utilize phone calls, email, mail, social media, and other strategies to identify, connect with, and engage alumni to solicit financial support for the college. Attends events as needed.
• Collaborates with major gift officers from University Advancement and other units to maximize philanthropic support and strategize on transformative giving opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with and support volunteers, other development staff, and college representatives to cultivate and solicit donors for college-wide priorities.
• Serve as a consultant to donors on the tax advantage of various types of gifts.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT -

• Prepare annual personal fundraising goals and analyze/report goal accomplishment. Assist in planning and implementing special-purpose campaigns as necessary.
• Serve as a fundraising consultant and advisor to department/division heads and faculty; partner on strategies that grow philanthropic support for their respective areas.
• Assist with coordinating and participating in alumni and donor engagement, prospecting, recognition, and stewardship events as appropriate.
• Utilize alumni and donor database to coordinate with other development colleagues, record contact activities, update donor information, record strategic moves management steps, and gift documentation as appropriate.

EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION AND DONOR STEWARDSHIP -

• Support the development of briefings, proposals, and talking points for fundraising priorities.
• Assist in developing and implementing an annual major donor communication and stewardship plan for the college that includes donor updates, engagement events, and gift stories.
• Monitor all prospect contacts to ensure positive and purposeful prospect and donor relations.

REPORTING

Reports to the Senior Director of Development, College of Human Medicine.

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS

Interacts with:

• Michigan State University alumni, faculty/staff/retirees, friends, patrons, and other potential donors to solicit and handle their donor requests.
• Faculty and Staff - to educate and train them on development direction, seek their advice on needs, answer funding questions, and advise them on funding strategy.
• Peers – to obtain advice and counsel for programs and coordinate donor prospects' cultivation and solicitation.
• 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.

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; 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. 

Must have a valid driver’s license. In-state and out-of-state travel required.

Desired Qualifications

• An advanced degree in business, communications, public relations, marketing, or other related field is desirable.
• Five years of experience in major gift fundraising, including a proven track record of securing corporate, foundation, and major gift support from individuals of $100,000 or more.
• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a complex higher education institution, and understanding and experience in development are highly desirable, as is a collaborative team-oriented style.
• Experience in academic medicine or biomedical research fundraising is preferred.
• Knowledge of fundraising and tax law affecting charitable giving.

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, atkarampat@msu.edu.