Careers @ MSU

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, along with AgBioResearch, Michigan State University Extension (MSUE), and the Office of University Advancement, is seeking an accomplished, responsive, and collaborative member of its External Relations team. This team member will be the primary development liaison with several units within the college and will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward alumni and friends of CANR, MSUE, and AgBioResearch, as well as business, industry, and foundations, in support of the Land Grant mission and the units priorities. The ability to think and act strategically will be critical to the success of this position.   

The Associate Director of Development will focus efforts on face-to-face contact with prospects whose philanthropic capacity is $100,000 and more, managing a portfolio of 150 to 200 major donor prospects. It is expected that the Associate Director will average 15 face-to-face strategic visits, which result in “moves” toward major gifts and 2 to 4 major gift solicitations per month. The Associate Director will play a pivotal role in identifying and qualifying major donor prospects for this campaign and in preparation for the next campaign. The Associate Director reports to the Senior Director of Development and External Relations. 

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Directly reporting to the Sr. Director of Development for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Associate Director of Development will: 

Solicitation, Cultivation & Discovery:   

• Collaborate and coordinate with External Relations, University Advancement, administrators, and faculty of CANR, MSUE, and AgBioResearch to create and carry out fundraising strategies and solicitation of gifts of $100,000 and more 

• Build strong, engaged relationships with major gift prospects to determine and merge prospect passions/interests/needs with MSU/CANR/AgBioResearch/MSUE areas of funding priority and opportunity 

• Build working relationships with internal constituents to enhance information exchange between CANR units as well as MSUE and AgBioResearch, including advising faculty and administrators of appropriate fundraising strategies 

• Engage 15-20 major prospects through personal visits, which result in strategic “moves” toward closure of major gifts ($100,000+) each month 

• Maintain accurate donor/prospect records in the Advance system, planning and documenting significant strategic prospect “moves” toward closure of major gifts 

• Recruit, train, and manage volunteers who assist with planning and carrying out development objectives 

• Regular travel involving automobile, additional travel involving air transportation 

Strategy & Coordination: 

• Interpret needs and priorities of CANR units/AgBioResearch/MSUE, verbally and in writing, to engender a level of understanding that is conducive to giving 

• Participate as part of the External Relations team on strategic planning and initiatives, budgeting, reporting, and special events 

• Serve as a liaison between the donor/prospect and the University/College to ensure that information and service that may be desired are provided to the full extent permitted by University policy, rules, and regulations  

• Build working relationships with internal constituents to enhance information exchange between CANR units, including advising faculty and administrators of appropriate fundraising strategies 

• Provide support, as needed and directed, to Senior Director of Development 

Data Management & Planning:

• Prepare annual personal fundraising goals and analyze/report goal accomplishment 

• Assist in planning and implementing special purpose appeals as necessary 

• Attend appropriate workshops and seminars to enhance professional development  

• Act as a public goodwill ambassador for Michigan State University, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, AgBioResearch, and Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) 

• Ensure best practices in office systems, practices, files, and record keeping; ensure effective use of strategic tools and resources such as contact reports, prospect management, research, and analysis, and the Advance database.  

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Interacts with: 

• Michigan State University alumni/individuals/corporations/businesses/employees and corporate leadership – in order to solicit as potential donors, manage donor requests, and to cultivate and train them as potential volunteers. 

• Faculty and Department Chairs, School Directors, Institute Directors and other CANR leaders– in order to assist in the understanding and implementation of fundraising procedures, to seek their advice on funding needs, to answer development questions, to advise them on development strategy and to solicit them as potential donors 

• Peers – in order to obtain advice and counsel on options being considered for programs and in order to coordinate the cultivation and solicitation of donor prospects. 

• CANR External Relations team – to coordinate efforts, participate in strategic planning, obtain advice and counsel on donor/development strategies. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED 

Supervision is received from the CANR Senior Director of Development and External Relations