"Alerted.org

Working/Functional Title

Senior Director of Devel, College of Ed

Position Summary

BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY

The College of Education at Michigan State University has established a reputation for excellence and visionary thinking in its efforts to improve education, health, and well-being across our nation and world, particularly within the contexts of urban and global education. The faculty remains committed to addressing the educational and physical needs of all learners across the life span, and to working closely with educators, sport and academic leaders, and policymakers. The college is proud to claim nearly 61,000 living alumni spread across the globe.

History of Excellence: Graduate study in the areas of both elementary and secondary education at Michigan State University have been ranked No. 1 in the nation for 31 consecutive years, according to the U.S. News & World Report ranking of education graduate programs. The College is also highly ranked for Kinesiology. A 2023 National Academy of Kinesiology ranking placed MSU’s doctoral program at No. 11 in the nation. The College of Education also ranks 22nd overall in the magazine’s 2025 edition of “America’s Best Graduate Schools” and 13th among public universities. A total of 10 graduate study areas in education at MSU are in the top 11.

As MSU begins efforts to strategically position itself to enter its third billion-dollar-plus campaign, the Senior Director will play a pivotal leadership role in planning and spearheading the campaign effort, focused on endowment and expendable support for the College. This includes conducting needs assessment of programs, developing the case for support, refining funding priorities, recruiting and mobilizing volunteers, preparing and reviewing proposals, identifying prospects, and actively soliciting contributions with a focus on gifts of $100,000 and more.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising:

+ Plans and implements methods of prospect identification, solicitation, and cultivation to achieve successful solicitation for funds and matches donor interests with the needs of the College. The Senior Director will manage a portfolio of 75 major and principal gift prospects, strive to conduct 8-10 significant personal visits per month, which will include discovery visits to qualify new prospects, and deliver 2-4 proposals per month.

+ Plans and implements the major, planned, and principal gifts program for the College, as well as funding from other sources, including corporations and foundations. The Senior Director will focus on 6- and 7-figure gift fundraising with in- and out-of-state travel required.

+ Prepares an annual operating plan that outlines goals, objectives, and strategies for the overall advancement program, as well as for self and each member of the advancement team.

+ Provides assistance to donors regarding tax laws, policies, and procedures, and resolves problems to maintain a positive image of the University.

Personnel Management:

+ Hires, supervises, directs, motivates, and evaluates professional and support staff in order to assure high performance and consistency with quantity and quality of work performed.

+ Set clear directions and priorities for professionals and administrative support personnel. Promote excellence through well-defined and measurable goals.

+ Lead by example; foster a work environment that recognizes and rewards cross-functional collaboration and team-based efforts. Celebrate current achievements and set clear expectations for future success.

+ Actively mentor and train staff, providing frequent opportunities for professional learning and growth; emphasizing retention as a means of increasing the 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.

+ Recruits, trains, motivates, and evaluates volunteers in order 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 meetings of the public and University personnel in order 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 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 college 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 the College’s administrators.

+ Serves as a member of the college’s 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 cultivate and train them as potential volunteers.

+ Faculty - to educate, train, and partner with them in the Development process, to seek their advice on needs, to answer funding questions, and collaborate on prospect/proposal strategy.

+ Professional and Administrative Staff - to train and provide work oversight and to establish 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 for special projects.

+ Michigan State University Vice President and Associate Vice President of University Advancement - to advise on the progress of specific College 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 Dean of the College of Education.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

This position supervises the Associate and Assistant Directors of Development for the College and the 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. Travel is required.

Desired Qualifications

+ 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

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Patricia Karam, Director of Talent Acquisition, at [email protected].

Screening of applicants will continue until the position is filled.

MSU is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. We actively encourage applications from, and nominations of, women, persons of color, veterans, persons with disabilities and other individuals who can contribute to the intellectual diversity and cultural richness at Michigan State University. MSU is committed to providing a work environment that supports employees’ work and personal life and offers employment assistance to the spouse or partner of candidates for faculty and academic staff positions.

#LI-PK1

Work Hours

8 am -5 pm with possible 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 May 20, 2025 at 11:55 P.M.