Assoc Director of Devel, Student Success​/Development Officer II

Working/Functional Title

Assoc Director of Devel, Student Success

Michigan State University’s Student Success development team is responsible for raising funds for crucial initiatives dedicated to the undergraduate student experience. This expansive unit raises critical support for the Division for University Health & Wellbeing, the Office of Undergraduate Education, the Division of Student Affairs, and Residential and Hospitality Services, all of which directly impact the experience and success of undergraduate students.

The MSU Student Success development team is seeking an enthusiastic, energetic, and results-oriented individual to join its dynamic fundraising team as the Associate Director of Development focused on the priorities of MSU Student Success. The Associate Director will be instrumental in helping the unit achieve aggressive goals by identifying, cultivating, and soliciting individuals for significant 6- and 7-figure support as well as periodic special purpose appeals and programs with key constituencies, corporations, and foundations.

This individual will have University Health and Wellbeing as a focus of their portfolio, but function as a team member for an office dedicated to student success as a whole. MSU has formally adopted the Okanagan Charter and is a Health Promoting University. As a health promoting campus, University Health and Wellbeing aims to support a university community with health and wellbeing equitably woven throughout all aspects of Spartan life, enhancing accessibility and safety through a culturally sensitive and holistic lens.

University Health and Wellbeing has several pillars including:
Health Promotion, Engagement, and Accessibility;
Mental Health and Trauma Support Services; and Campus Health Services. The Division has many impactful, first and or only in the nation programs, such as MSU Food Bank and Basic Needs Program, Center for Survivors, Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities, and Counseling and Psychological Services. The Associate Director of Development is expected to be an accomplished, responsive, and collaborative member of the MSU Student Success development team, who executes an aggressive schedule of donor activity to ensure a continuous pipeline of private support for the university.

The Associate Director will report directly to the Senior Director of Development for the MSU Student Success development team and work closely with the Assistant Vice President and Assistant Provost of Health and Wellbeing, in addition to the Vice Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Education, AVP for Residential and Hospitality Services, and the VP for Student Affairs.

The Associate Director of Development will manage a portfolio of approximately 75 major donor prospects, focusing efforts on prospects whose philanthropic capacity is $100,000 or more in order to maximize the fundraising potential on behalf of Michigan State University. The Associate Director will average 12-15 face-to-face strategic visits per month, which will result in greater engagement and movement toward a major gift solicitation at a rate of 2 to 4 solicitations per month, with all solicitation efforts cleared and coordinated with University Advancement at Michigan State University.

The Associate Director will travel as needed to facilitate donor engagement and close major gift solicitations.

• Engage in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, professional groups, and key constituencies in support of Student Success initiatives at Michigan State University.
• Collaborate and coordinate with University Advancement and the administrators and faculty of the divisions that MSU Student Success covers to create and carry out fundraising strategies and solicitation of gifts of $100,000 and more.
• Identify and maintain an active pool of 75 prospects under strategic management.
• Achieve the unit fundraising goals through an active and consistent program of prospect/donor outreach that includes 180 significant contacts annually.
• Utilize phone calls, email, mail, social media, and other strategies to identify, connect with, and engage alumni with the goal of soliciting financial support.
• Identify, qualify, and work to build strong, engaged relationships with major gift prospects to determine and merge prospect passions/interests/needs with MSU Student Success areas of funding priority and opportunity.
• Schedule prospect/donor visits with members of the unit leadership, faculty, or other Development colleagues, when appropriate.
• Serve as a liaison officer between the unit and donors and potential donors to ensure that such information and service as may be desired is provided to the full extent permitted by University policy, rules, and regulations.
• Serve as a consultant to donors on the tax advantage of various types of gifts.
• Plan and host campus visits for donors or potential donors or…