Senior Director, Social Science / Development Officer III/S

Working/Functional Title

Senior Director of Development, CSS

Position Summary

BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY

The College of Social Science at Michigan State University works to solve the most complex global societal challenges while achieving transformational impact for the common good. With almost 7,000 undergraduate students and over 1000 graduate students, the College is the largest on campus and has over 12 degree granting programs. The college has over 400 faculty members who are committed to exceptional instructional, research, and outreach services. Area of strengths involve multiple disciplines and concepts, ranging from the widespread use of artificial intelligence to the challenges of combating cybercrime; from the need for creative ways to promote well-being and address mental and physical health across the life span; to the advances that happen when historical insights and advanced analytics are used to craft and evaluate sound public policies. The College works tirelessly to transform the human experience and inspire leaders. 

Founded in 1967, James Madison College (JMC) was established with a visionary goal: to blend the intimate qualities of a small college with the resources and opportunities of a large research university. Our focus is on public affairs, deeply rooted in the liberal arts, and we have been a leader in this field since our inception. At JMC, students experience the best of both worlds. They live and learn in designated residence halls, like Case Hall, which not only houses students but also faculty offices, academic advisors, classrooms, seminar rooms, the South Pointe dining hall, and the JMC library. This immersive environment fosters a learning experience that goes beyond traditional classroom walls.

The Senior Director of Development serves as the chief development officer for the College of Social Science and oversees the fundraising programs for both the College of Social Science as well as James Madison College. This blended position is a unique opportunity for a seasoned fundraiser to lead comprehensive fundraising strategies for both programs. The ideal candidate will maximize each college’s philanthropic potential and serve as a player-coach to frontline fundraisers in both units. In this capacity, the Senior Director manages a personal portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and employs a rigorous, strategic moves management program to ensure that prospects are consistently engaged and moved through the development pipeline.

In addition to personally cultivating and soliciting major and principal gifts, the Senior Director manages 6 direct reports, including 3 frontline fundraisers, and collaborates closely with the Deans and the leadership teams of both colleges. This leadership role involves working with senior administrators and department chairs to ensure alignment with strategic priorities and to foster a culture of philanthropy. 

As MSU enters into its next comprehensive campaign, the Senior Director will assume a pivotal role in helping to shape both colleges’ campaign priorities. This includes leading efforts to assess program needs, recruiting and training volunteers, finalizing case statements, identifying and cultivating prospects, and soliciting contributions from alumni to reach both colleges’ goals. A particular focus will be placed on identified prospects with major and principal gift capacity.

The Senior Director will also coordinate the colleges’ administrative and operational activities related to fundraising, working to increase private sector contributions through a targeted and integrated approach. This includes ensuring the strategic recruitment and training of alumni and volunteers, conducting thorough needs assessments, developing and reviewing proposals, and actively soliciting contributions to support the colleges’ ambitious goals.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising:

• Plans and implements methods of prospect identification, solicitation, and cultivation in order to achieve successful solicitations for funds and match donor's interest with the needs of the Colleges.
• Plans and implements the major, planned, and principal gifts program for the Colleges, as well as funding from other sources, including corporations and foundations.
• Collaborates with colleagues across campus and regionally to ensure donors’ philanthropic interests are being met.
• Provides assistance to donors regarding tax laws, policies, and procedures and resolves problems in order to maintain a positive image of the University.

Personnel Management:

• Supervises, directs, motivates, and evaluates support staff in order to assure consistency, quantity, and quality of work performed.
• Sets clear direction and priorities for professionals and administrative support personnel. Promotes excellence through well-defined and measurable goals.
• Leads by example and fosters a work environment that recognizes and rewards cross-functional collaboration, team-based efforts, and inclusive working environments. Celebrates current achievements and sets clear expectations for future success. 
• Actively mentors and trains staff, providing frequent opportunities for professional learning and growth; emphasizing retention as a means of increasing capacity and expertise of the team. 
• Fully leverages human and financial resources and promotes greater efficiency.
• Provides the structure and guidance necessary to promote a high-performance culture that meets the needs and expectations of a successful and diverse alumni community.
• Recruits, trains, motivates, and evaluates volunteers to accomplish college goals and objectives.

Programmatic Management:

• Audits internal operations to develop standardized procedures and to ensure conformity with established policy.
• Plans, hosts, and communicates at public and University personnel meetings to provide information on the College and/or University.
• Assists in budget preparation to ensure consistency with unit goals.
• Assists in setting both long- and short-term goals/plans to determine resources required.
• Supervises and/or coordinates with external relations staff, including development, alumni, public relations, and communications, to ensure coordination of information to alumni and friends of the College.
• Coordinates the composing, editing, and publishing of Colleges’ materials to provide college leadership and volunteers with campaign case statements and progress reports.
• Assists in preparing and interpreting statistical data related to philanthropy for Colleges’ Administrators.
• Serves as a member of the Colleges’ leadership team to build a culture of philanthropy.

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS 

• Michigan State University Alumni/Individuals/Major Corporations/Businesses/Employees and Corporate Leadership - to solicit as potential donors, handle their donor requests and to cultivate and train them as potential volunteers.
• Faculty - to educate and engage them in Development process, to seek their advice on needs, and to answer funding questions and advise them on funding strategy.
• Professional and Administrative Staff - to train and oversee their work and to establish priorities.
• Department Heads/Michigan State University Executive Management - to consult and coordinate work within University structure, to aid in the identification of potential donors and gain support of special projects.
• Michigan State University Vice President of University Advancement and Associate Vice President of University Development - to advise on the progress of specific Colleges’ campaigns.
• Michigan State University campaign leadership - to seek their advice on the cultivation and solicitation of major donors and to assist them in soliciting donors.
• Michigan State University Trustees - to seek advice and obtain assistance for solicitation.
• Peers/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.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Direction is received from the Executive Director of Constituency Programs and from the Deans of the College of Social Science and James Madison College.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Supervision of the College of Social Science and James Madison College Associate and Assistant Directors of Development and other College of Social Science /alumni relations College advancement administrative staff.

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. T. 

Desired Qualifications

• Travel is required. 
• Eight years of successful fundraising experience (preferably in higher education), including several years at a director or manager level. Experience in related fields such as public relations or marketing may be taken into consideration.
• Demonstrated organizational, interpersonal, and written/oral communications.
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating major gifts through planned giving instruments.
• Working knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving.

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

HOW TO APPLY

If you have any questions regarding this position, please get in touch with Patricia Karam, Director of Talent Acquisition, at karampat@msu.edu. 

Screening of applicants will continue until the position is filled.

#LI-PK1

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 March 18, 2025, at 11:55 PM