Development Assistant

MSU Careers Details•East Lansing, MI

3d•Remote

About The Position

This position supports the Advancement team in the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. The role is responsible for providing administrative support and handling project management tasks that support fundraising and alumni engagement. Key responsibilities include assisting with donor/prospect identification, tracking, screening, and preparation for meetings; managing prospect and portfolio reporting needs; coordinating and supporting events; and general office administration. The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to work well under pressure, provide excellent customer service, convey professionalism, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which would normally be acquired by completing a four-year college program in communications, public relations, or marketing
Up to six months of related work experience in professional fundraising, public relations, marketing, event planning or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience with Microsoft Suite systems (Excel, Word and PowerPoint).

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of donor identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship processes that would normally be acquired by working in a development office for a minimum of two or more years
Possession of a valid vehicle operator’s license
Experience in public speaking and professional writing
Demonstrates a work orientation that includes problem solving, teamwork and adaptability to change
Displays a great attention to detail
Demonstrates a work orientation that includes problem solving, seeing the bigger picture, forecasting potential trouble spots, taking initiative, and a dedication to continuous self-improvement
Professionalism, confidentiality and the ability to communicate clearly and work collaboratively at all times.
Preferred software knowledge; Microsoft OneNote, Ascend by UC Innovation, Cognos Analytics (CARL) reporting tool, EBS Systems at MSU, Microsoft Access and MSU Scholarship database

Responsibilities

Provide administrative support for the colleges Advancement Team (20%)
Provide support to the Sr. Director, Director and Alumni Coordinator in making travel arrangements, preparing for donor meetings and events, and completing travel reimbursements.
Scheduling and calendaring of internal and external meetings
Assist with preparation and follow-up for prospect and donor meetings, including, assembly of meeting materials, meeting itineraries, data, contact report and proposal entry
Assist Sr. Director in establishing short- and long-term budget planning and yearly budget allocations
Assists in development of annual Operating Plan
Authorizes, monitors, and approves purchasing card expenses
Tracks and regularly provides updated information for accounts and contacts, including allocation code list, departmental directories, unit contact list, development officer contact lists, etc.
Oversee data and related communication projects for the Advancement Team (35%)
Oversee the process for tracking charitable gifts received in the college
Provide monthly gift reports to department fiscal officers
Prepare various reports for team and leadership meetings
Update address information for alumni, donor and prospect records in the Ascend database system, prepare mailing lists, maintain COM alumni, VIP and top donor lists, request appeal codes, allocation codes, and develop fundraising reports as needed.
Provides contact report, proposals and other data entry following donor meetings and advancement events
Serve as a resource for departmental support staff regarding issues related to unit endowments, stewardship, retrieval and use of alumni data and other questions as they arise related to advancement
Assist with prospect research for building engagement and cultivation strategies, including, identifying alumni/development prospects audiences, using various Advancement software tools, researching for biographical and business information on prospects, and gathering donor giving history
Retrieval of COM endowment and scholarship account balances as needed.
Provide support for donor and prospect identification, engagement, cultivation and stewardship (35%)
Process all gift agreements and endowment agreements for the unit.
Coordinate with the office of Finance and Endowments in University Advancement to ensure that endowment agreements proceed in a timely manner through the entire process.
Acts as a host to donors and invited guests at events and in the college.
Donor cultivation and stewardship activity includes meeting and greeting donors and guests and addressing questions and concerns.
Prepares donor and prospect briefing papers and Advancement guest itineraries
Assists fundraising staff with the development and preparation of proposals, stewardship reports and other support materials for prospects and donors.
Responsible for data integrity for yearly solicitation mailing to clinical faculty and to honor roll donors.
Assist with advancement events and activities for the college (10%)
Researching, planning, implementation and execution of advancement events, including but not limited to the alumni engagement events, donor meetings and events.
Assists with careful follow-up and strategic next steps after events.
Maintains event attendee registration and record tracking.