Associate Director of Devel, Engineering / Development Officer II

MSU - Michigan State University; East Lansing (MI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan State University seeks an Associate Director of Development to increase philanthropic support for student, faculty, and program priorities within the College of Engineering. The role manages ~75 major donor prospects, targeting gifts of $100,000+ and coordinating with University Advancement.

The position emphasizes collaboration, donor relations, and a results-driven fundraising program across Michigan and beyond, with travel to key metro areas and steady engagement with prospects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing and/or Business; 3–5 years of related fundraising experience.
• Experience in major gift fundraising and securing gifts of $50,000 or more.
• Ability to work in a complex higher education environment and collaborate with teams.

Responsibilities

• Identify and manage a pool of approximately 75 prospects for major gifts.
• Collaborate with University Advancement to develop fundraising strategies and solicitation plans.
• Engage 12-15 major prospects monthly toward moves and closures.
• Travel as needed to manage prospect activity in key metro areas.

Skills

Verbal and written communications

Donor relations

Strategic thinking

Team collaboration

Education

Four-year college degree in Communications/Public Relations/Marketing/Business

Advanced degree (desirable)

Job description

Working/Functional Title

Associate Director of Devel, Engineering

Position Summary

MSUCollege ofEngineeringis seeking an Associate Director of Developmenttoincrease philanthropic support for student and faculty-focused,capital,and programmatic priorities.The preferred candidate will be an outcomes-oriented, proven fundraiserwho has a strong proclivity for teamwork, collaboration,diplomacy,and an authentic appreciation for the power of philanthropy in higher education.

The MSU College of Engineering is finishing a historic year of fundraising success – nearing $100M in total philanthropic support and leadership on the fundraising efforts for a new $340M+ multidisciplinary project, the Leinweber Center for Engineering and Digital Innovation.

The College of Engineeringis poised to significantly expand its fundraising activity from prospects within Michigan, across the United States and abroad who are interested in the College’s agenda to impart knowledge to students at all levels including secondary, undergraduate, graduate, and lifelong learning is implicit in this core value. The College believesinthediscovery of new knowledge through innovativeresearch thatencouragesentrepreneurship and economic development tobenefitour global society.To support this mission, the College ofEngineeringseeks a major gift officerwith a proventrack recordin closing 6 and 7 figure gifts.

This position will partner withtheSeniorDirector of Developmentand the Development and Alumni Relations Teamfor the College ofEngineeringregarding planning and implementing a comprehensive fundraising program.The Associate Director of Development will manage a portfolio of major gift prospects to fully develop potential gift (cash and deferred) income to supportthe mission of the college.

The Associate Director of Development will manage a dynamicportfolio ofapproximately75major donor prospects, focusing efforts on prospects whose philanthropic capacity is $100,000 or moretomaximize the fundraising potential within the College and on behalf of Michigan State University. The Associate Director will average 12-15 strategicinteractionsper 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 theCollege and University Advancement at Michigan State University. The Associate Director will dedicate a significant amount of time travelingtomanageprospectactivity withinkeymajor metro areas,both in-state and out-of-stateas noted above.

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties of the Associate Director of Development are as follows but are not limited to:

FUNDRAISING -

• Identifyandmaintainan active pool ofapproximately 75prospects under strategic management. Specifically,identify, qualify, cultivate,solicit, and steward a portfolio of major donor prospects.
• Collaborate and coordinate with University Advancement colleagues and College of Engineering administrators and faculty to create and carry out fundraising strategies and solicitation of gifts of $100,000 and more, averaging 2 to 4 major gift solicitations a month.
• Work to build strong, engaged relationships with major gift prospects to determine and merge prospect passions/interests/needs with the College’s funding priorities.
• Achieve individual and college fundraising goals through active and consistent prospect/donor outreach that includes 150 or more significant contacts annually. Utilize phone calls, email, mail, social media, and other strategies to identify, connect with, and engage alumni to solicit financial support for the College. Attend college events as needed.
• Collaborate with major gift officers from University Advancement and other units to maximize philanthropic support and strategize on transformative giving opportunities.
• Engage 12-15 major prospects per month through personal interactions, which results in strategic “moves” toward closure of major gifts.
• Work collaboratively with and support volunteers, other development staff, and college representatives to cultivate and solicit donors for college-wide priorities.

EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION AND DONOR STEWARDSHIP -

• Support thedevelopmentofbriefings,proposals,and talking points for fundraising priorities.
• Partner with the college’s Assistant Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship and the broader Development team in developing and implementing major donor communication and stewardship plans for the college that includes donor updates, engagement events, and gift stories.
• Monitor all prospect contacts to ensure positive and purposeful prospect and donor relations.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT -

• Serve as a fundraising consultant and advisor to department/division heads and faculty;developstrategies that grow philanthropic support for their respective areas.
• Assist with coordinating and participating in alumni and donor engagement, prospecting, recognition, and stewardship events as appropriate.
• Utilize alumni and donor database to coordinate with other development colleagues, record contact activities, update donor information, record strategic moves management steps, and gift documentation as appropriate.
• Lead by example in fostering a work environment that recognizes and rewards cross-functional collaboration and team-based efforts. Celebrate current achievements and set clear expectations for future success.

Reporting

Reports to theSeniorDirector of Development, College ofEngineering.

Communications/Interpersonal Relations

Interacts with:

• Michigan State University alumni, faculty/staff/retirees, friends, patrons, and other potential donorstosolicitand handle their donor requests.
• Faculty and Staff - to educate and train them on development direction, seek their advice on needs, answer funding questions and advise them on funding strategy.
• Peers – to obtain advice and counsel for programs and coordinate donor prospects' cultivation and solicitation.
• 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.

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; 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; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Travel required - Must have a valid driver’s license.

Desired Qualifications

• Abachelor’sdegree is preferred.An advanced degree in business, communications, public relations, marketing, or some other related field is desirable.
• Five years of experience in major gift fundraising, including a proven track record of securing corporate, foundation, and major gift support from individuals of $50,000 or more.
• Strong verbal and written communications and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a complex higher education institution and understanding and experience in development desired, as well as a collaborative team-oriented style.
• Experience in academic medicine or biomedical research fundraising.
• Knowledge of fundraising and tax law affecting charitable giving.

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

Interested in joining the team at Michigan State University? For questions, contact Patricia Karam, Director of Talent Acquisition, at [e-mail].

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 June 16, 2026, at 11:55 PM