Associate Director of Development, CANR / Development Officer II

MSU Internal Job Postings Details • East Lansing, MI

6d • Remote

About The Position

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at Michigan State University (MSU) is seeking a talented and ambitious Associate Director of Development to join its collaborative development team. This results-oriented position plays a critical role in shaping the future of STEM education and research by cultivating relationships with alumni and friends to secure vital resources. The role involves managing a portfolio of 90-100 prospects, identifying new donors, developing and executing cultivation and stewardship strategies, and collaborating with faculty, college leadership, and internal stakeholders. The position is part of the External Relations team, serving as the primary development liaison with several units within CANR, AgBioResearch, and MSU Extension, supporting the Land Grant mission and unit priorities. The ideal candidate will have strategic thinking abilities and strong interpersonal skills to foster long-term relationships and secure major gifts for interdisciplinary research addressing global challenges such as climate science, sustainability, urban planning, food security, and public health.

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.
• Three to five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in public relations, volunteer administration, professional and higher education fund raising, marketing or related field.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Experience in public speaking.
• Collaborative team-oriented style.
• Experience with “Moves Management” or related strategic relationship development.
• Ability to “close” gifts or business deals with demonstrative experiences closing gifts of $100,000 or more.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive experience in professional fundraising, public relations, marketing, or a related field.
• Working knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 90-100 prospects, fostering long-term relationships.
• Identify new alumni and donors to build a robust pipeline for future giving.
• Develop and execute personalized cultivation and stewardship strategies, averaging 12-15 strategic face-to-face visits and 2-4 solicitations per month.
• Collaborate with faculty, college leadership, and internal stakeholders to deepen relationships and maximize impact.
• Engage in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of gifts from individuals, corporations, and professional groups.
• Collaborate with University Advancement, administrators, and faculty to create and carry out fundraising strategies for gifts of $100,000 and more.
• Achieve college fundraising goals through an active and consistent program of prospect and donor outreach, including 180 significant contacts annually.
• Utilize phone calls, email, mail, social media, and other strategies to identify, connect with, and engage alumni for financial support.
• Identify, qualify, and build strong relationships with major gift prospects.
• Schedule joint prospect visits with college leadership, faculty, or other Development colleagues.
• Serve as a liaison officer between the unit and donors/potential donors.
• Serve as a consultant to donors on the tax advantages of various gift types.
• Plan and host campus visits for donors or potential donors.
• Prepare annual personal fundraising goals and analyze/report on goal achievement.
• Assist in planning and implementing special-purpose appeals.
• Develop and prepare solicitation appeals, proposals, and other materials for gifts of $100,000 or more.
• Interpret and articulate the needs and priorities of CANR units, AgBio Research, and MSUE to potential donors.
• Assist with the coordination of and participation in college alumni and donor engagement, prospecting, recognition, and stewardship events.
• Utilize the Advance alumni and donor database for coordination, recording activities, updating information, and documenting strategic moves management and gift documentation.
• Build working relationships with internal constituents to enhance information exchange.
• Cultivate, engage, and train Michigan State University alumni, leadership, and employees as potential donors and volunteers.
• Engage faculty, department chairs, program directors, and other college leaders in fundraising procedures and strategies.
• Obtain advice and counsel from peers across the enterprise to coordinate cultivation and solicitation.
• Ensure best practices in office systems, practices, files, and record keeping.
• Ensure effective use of strategic tools and resources such as contact reports, prospect management, research, and analysis, and the Advance database.

Benefits

• Make a tangible difference: Your efforts will directly translate into increased resources that empower students, faculty, research, and programs in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, AgBio Research, and MSU Extension.
• Join a collaborative environment: We foster a supportive and team-oriented atmosphere where you’ll be empowered to grow and excel.
• Be part of a prestigious institution: You’ll have the privilege of doing Spartan green and white, while representing the land grant mission to provide high-quality education, conduct research, and engage with the public to advance knowledge and improve lives.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level