Assist Director of Annual Giving / Development Officer I

Working/Functional Title

Assist Director of Annual Giving

Position Summary

Basic Function: The Annual Giving department, within the MSU Alumni Office of University Advancement, manages annual giving activities for all colleges and units including direct mail, telemarketing, and digital philanthropy. Annual Giving is seeking an Assistant Director to assist in the organization and operation of Greenline, a student-run telemarketing program, which solicits donations from alumni and friends of MSU. Responsibilities will include managing and monitoring the use of the automated telemarketing system (Vanilla Soft) and supervision of the student staff and managers. The Assistant Director will develop and maintain positive relations with all internal and external customers, including college development officers and deans.  Additionally, the Assistant Director will be responsible for analyzing results and implementing new initiatives to increase results for fundraising and engagement of our alumni and friends populations. This position w ill require the ability to work evening hours and weekends.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:

Directly reporting to the Senior Associate Director - Annual Giving, the Assis tant Director of Annual Giving – Telemarketing will:

Ensure the call center software systems and processes are effective and efficient:

• Support the management of our calling software (VanillaSoft) and develop comprehensive training for student staff and managers.
• Monitor and assess the data in the telemarking system to ensure that calling lists are current and accurate, in order to reduce prospect fatigue.
• Oversee, coordinate, and resolve all issues regarding telemarketing computer system, its operations, and the data needed for effective calling.
• Develop and maintain pledge processing procedures and other supportive mechanisms to ensure timely responses to donor/alumni pledges, requests, and concerns.
• Develop and maintain procedures to handle prospective donor requests for information and expressions of concerns related to university programs, and to initiate written, telephone, or direct contact with such individuals, which will satisfy their requests and create an attitude conducive to giving to MSU.

Plan for and assess the results of the University Advancement call center:

• Develop and implement long-range and immediate plans for increasing revenue and donor participation for through a comprehensive telemarketing program.
• Plan and execute a comprehensive annual calendar for multiple telemarketing segments. Tasks will include setting timelines and establishing goals, segmenting audiences, updating the calling database including the appropriate scripts and information sheets, caller screens, crafting pledge and acknowledgment letters, training student callers, and monitoring and reporting on results.
• Integrate engagement activities into the call center calendar including setting leads for leadership annual giving and major gift officers, event invitations, and impactful stewards hip outreach.
• Make changes and enhancements to the telemarketing program to increase involvement and revenue from alumni, parents, students, friends, and employees of the university.
• Develop written budget requests for the telemarketing program, monitor expenditures according to approved budget limitations, and maintain the cost-efficiency of the telemarketing program.
• Conduct annual benchmarking with similar university programs and report statistical information, results, and effectiveness of MSU overall telemarketing programs and strategies.
• Serve as the liaison between college directors of development and their respective deans regarding telemarketing specific priorities and addressing any issues for respective college programs.
• Serve as the main liaison for telemarketing issues regarding vendors, systems, and inquiries from outside institutions.

Supervise the student staff of the call center:

• Ensure that student salary dollars are effectively spent and verify that managers and callers are adhering to the set schedules.
• Create and monitor the weekly work schedule of the student managers and supervisors.
• Regularly meet with and evaluate the student managers.
• Oversee hiring of a diverse student staff, representative of the student body at MSU. 
• Responsible for providing regular training for all student staff so that they are familiar with and adhering to all university policy and 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; 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. 

Must be able to work during evening hours and weekends. 

Desired Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in public relations, marketing, communication, or related fields.
• Ability to recognize the importance of teamwork and foster a good working environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Highly organized.

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. 

Work Hours

8 am - 5 pm with possible evenings and weekends

Description of End Date

This is an off-dated position funded for 1 year from date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.

Website

Advancement.msu.edu

Bidding eligibility ends on September 16, 2025, at 11:55 PM