Assoc Director of Devel, Burgess Inst / Development Officer II

MSU Internal Job Postings Details•East Lansing, MI

1d•Remote

About The Position

The Broad College of Business and the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation seek an enthusiastic, collaborative, and results-oriented Associate Director of Development. The role advances the Burgess Institute’s mission to foster entrepreneurship and innovation across Michigan State University by building philanthropic partnerships that support student entrepreneurs, faculty innovation, alumni engagement, and the broader Spartan entrepreneurial ecosystem. The Associate Director connects the Institute with academic units, regional development colleagues, alumni entrepreneurs, corporate partners, and university leadership to align shared priorities and develop opportunities for philanthropic investment. As a member of the Eli Broad College of Business and University Advancement teams, the Associate Director executes a strategic donor engagement plan to build a sustainable pipeline of private support for the Burgess Institute and entrepreneurship initiatives across MSU. The position manages an active portfolio of approximately 70 major gift prospects with philanthropic capacity of $100,000 or more, and pursues annual fundraising goals through approximately 180 significant donor contacts. The role also develops fundraising resources, coordinates donor engagement and stewardship, and serves as a liaison among the Institute, Advancement partners, donors, and prospective supporters. The position is remote-friendly, meaning some or all duties may be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon. Work hours are 8 a.m.–5 p.m., with possible evening and weekend work. Travel may involve automobile, airline, and rail.

Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to completing a four-year college degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Business, or a related area, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Three to five years of related and progressively responsible or expansive work experience in public relations, volunteer administration, professional and higher education fundraising, marketing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
Collaborative, team-oriented style.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Possession of a valid vehicle operator’s license.
Ability to close gifts or business deals; demonstrative experience closing gifts of $50,000 or more.
Travel involving automobile, airline, and rail.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Five years of related and progressively responsible or expansive experience in professional fundraising, public relations, marketing, or a related field.
Working knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience with Moves Management or related strategic relationship development.
Experience closing gifts of $50,000 or more.

Responsibilities

Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and professional groups in support of Burgess Institute priorities and MSU’s broader entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Manage an active portfolio of approximately 70 major gift prospects with philanthropic capacity of $100,000 or more, using strategic moves management practices.
Partner with regional development officers and college- or unit-based Advancement teams to advance opportunities related to entrepreneurship, innovation, venture creation, experiential learning, and student success.
Serve as a university-wide Advancement resource and connector for entrepreneurship-related philanthropic opportunities, aligning donor interests with initiatives across disciplines.
Develop strategies to engage Spartan entrepreneurs, founders, investors, corporate partners, and industry leaders in mentorship, engagement, and philanthropic support.
Collaborate with Burgess Institute leadership, faculty, academic partners, and Advancement colleagues to identify priorities and develop fundraising strategies.
Achieve annual fundraising goals through proactive donor engagement, including approximately 180 significant contacts annually through visits, events, phone, email, and other outreach.
Build relationships with major gift prospects and connect their philanthropic interests with MSU priorities and opportunities.
Engage volunteers, alumni entrepreneurs, faculty, university leaders, and Advancement partners in cultivation and solicitation; coordinate joint prospect visits when appropriate.
Serve as a primary liaison among the Burgess Institute, University Advancement partners, donors, and prospective supporters.
Plan and host campus experiences for donors, alumni entrepreneurs, corporate partners, and prospective supporters.
Establish annual fundraising goals, monitor progress, analyze results, and support special initiatives and campaign strategies.
Develop proposals, case statements, impact materials, donor communications, and other fundraising resources.
Partner with Institute leadership and Advancement colleagues to identify funding opportunities and strategies to inspire philanthropic support.
Assist with planning and executing donor engagement, prospect cultivation, recognition, stewardship, and entrepreneurship-focused events.
Use donor database systems to document activity, manage prospect strategies, track progress, and coordinate with Advancement partners.
Build and maintain partnerships with Advancement colleagues across campus to identify, coordinate, and strategically align entrepreneurship-related opportunities with donor interests.
Develop relationships with faculty, academic leaders, program directors, and campus partners to understand priorities and identify philanthropic opportunities.
Communicate the impact of entrepreneurship at MSU through stories of student innovation, alumni success, industry engagement, and cross-campus collaboration.
Coordinate prospect strategies and share information with Advancement peers to support a unified approach to donor engagement.
Steward donors by demonstrating the impact of their philanthropy and maintaining long-term relationships with the Burgess Institute and MSU.