Senior Director of Devel, Human Med / Development Officer III/S

Working/Functional Title

Senior Director of Devel, Human Med

Position Summary

BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY

Michigan State University seeks an energetic, strategic, and results-oriented individual to lead its College of Human Medicine advancement team as the Senior Director of Development. Based at the college’s headquarters in Grand Rapids, the Senior Director will lead a team of professional fundraisers and support staff to achieve aggressive fundraising and engagement goals that will lead to increased support for student scholarships, public health and biomedical research, endowed faculty positions, and programmatic priorities. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned advancement professional to expand and develop a robust fundraising operation and to lead the College of Human Medicine as one of the top academic fundraising operations in the campaign for MSU.

Serving as the college’s chief development officer, the Senior Director maintains a personal portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and employs an aggressive, strategic moves management program to ensure movement along the development pipeline. Leading by example, the Senior Director will oversee the team and work closely with the Dean of the College of Human Medicine, faculty, and volunteer leadership to ensure that MSU reaches its philanthropic potential from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Reporting to the Dean of the College of Human Medicine and to the Executive Director of Constituency Programs, the Senior Director will partner with key teams across campus locations to ensure a holistic approach to building a sustainable, robust pipeline of prospective donors. The ability to think and act strategically will be critical to the success of this position.

The College of Human Medicine is a community-based 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.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising:

• Plan and implement comprehensive strategies for prospects through the donor cycle of identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, coordinating activities with development colleagues across campus and the geographic regions, where appropriate. Plan and host campus visits as well as schedule in- and out-state travel to meet with donors and prospects.
• Develop strategies, systems, and procedures for advancing the goals and priorities of the College and departments.
• Plan, direct, and implement the major, planned, and principal gifts program for the College.
• Personally develop and manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, with emphasis on 6- and especially 7-figure gifts.
• Provide assistance to donors regarding tax laws, policies, and procedures and resolves problems in order to maintain a positive image of the College and University.

Personnel Management:

• Set clear direction and priorities for professional and administrative support staff, including a growing team of frontline fundraisers, and administrative professionals focused on alumni relations, stewardship, and advancement communications. Promote excellence through well-defined and measurable goals; inspire and motivate staff to exceed fundraising goals, maintain and foster the team culture of accountability, respect, and appreciation.   
• Lead by example; foster a work environment that recognizes and rewards team-based efforts, encourages candid feedback and input, and sustains the positive dynamic that empowers team members to thrive individually and as part of the team. Celebrate current achievements and set clear expectations for future success. 
• Actively mentor and train staff, providing frequent opportunities for professional learning and growth; emphasize retention as a means of increasing capacity and expertise of the team. Fully leverage human and financial resources and promote greater efficiency.
• Provide the structure and guidance necessary to promote a high-performance culture that meets the needs and expectations of a successful and diverse alumni community.
• Recruit, train, motivate, and evaluate volunteers to accomplish college goals and objectives.

Programmatic Management:

• Lead all aspects of the development and advancement initiatives of the MSU College of Human Medicine; serve on the dean’s leadership team.
• Audit internal operations in order to develop standardized procedures and to ensure conformity with established policy.
• Plan, host, and communicate at meetings of the public and University personnel in order to provide information on the college and/or University.
• Develop and monitor budget and expenses to ensure stewardship of university resources and alignment with departmental goals.
• Assist in setting both long- and short-term goals/plans in order to determine resources required.
• Collaborate and coordinate activities with the external relations staff, including public relations and communication, to ensure coordination of information to alumni and friends of the College.
• Coordinate the composing, editing, and publishing of unit and/or University literature related to fundraising priorities in order to provide staff and volunteers with campaign case statements and progress reports.
• Prepare and interpret statistical data results for College Administrators.

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Interacts with:

• Michigan State University Alumni/Major Corporations/Businesses/Community Leaders/Foundations/Employees and Corporate Leadership - to solicit as potential donors, respond to donor requests and to cultivate and train them as potential volunteers.
• Faculty - to educate and train them in Advancement, to seek their input on needs, and advise them on philanthropic strategy.
• Professional and Administrative Staff - to train, coach and oversee their work and to guide in establishing priorities.
• Department Heads/Michigan State University Executive Management - to consult and coordinate work within the University structure to aid in the identification of potential donors and gain support of special projects.
• Michigan State University Vice President of Advancement - to advise on the progress of specific College campaigns.
• Michigan State University Leadership - to brief on philanthropic strategy and engage in prospect/donor solicitation.
• Peers/Professional Organizations - to obtain advice and council on options being considered for programs.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Direct supervision is received from the Executive Director of Constituency Programs and from the Dean of the College of Human Medicine.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Supervision of frontline fundraisers currently including three Associate Directors of Development, the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, the Assistant Director of Advancement Communications, Stewardship Coordinator, and Development Assistant.

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; five to eight years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in professional and higher education fundraising, public relations, marketing, development of budgets, preparation and presentation of case statements and analysis of operations; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. The ability to travel regionally and nationally.

Desired Qualifications

• Seven to ten years in professional fundraising, preferably five or more progressively responsible professional experience in higher education development; meaningful experience in or knowledge of all key development areas (major giving, annual fund, planned giving, and corporate and foundation relations).
• Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership gifts at the six- and seven-figure level. Demonstrated success in setting and achieving goals and performance metrics.
• Knowledge of the primary philanthropic communities in which the college is located.
• A track record of success leading a development operation; an approach to management that brings out the best in staff and yields pride, ownership and a sense of team effort.
• Superior communication skills and the ability to connect with a variety of audiences; clear and effective written and oral presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and successfully execute a significant comprehensive campaign.
• Working knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving.

If you review this job description and have done many of the responsibilities or have transferable skills, we want to hear from you and welcome your application! We are seeking successful, ambitious fundraisers who want to become part of our team and help us in 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

HOW TO APPLY

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

Screening of applicants will continue until the position is filled.

MSU is an affirmative action, equal-opportunity employer.

MSU is committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.  The University actively encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans, and persons with disabilities. 

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Work Hours

8 am - 5 pm with some 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.

Bidding eligibility ends December 17, 2024 at 11:55 P.M.