Senior Major Gift Associate – Arts, Sciences & Community

Wayne State University; Detroit (MI); Hybrid; USD 71,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

Wayne State University in Detroit seeks a Senior Major Gift Associate for the Arts, Sciences & Community Impact to support strategic donor engagement and gift administration. The role advances major gift goals across six schools and colleges and collaborates with leadership to align fundraising with institutional priorities.

You will analyze donor data, prepare briefing materials, and coordinate with Advancement Communications to craft impact pieces for cultivation and solicitation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; field beneficial in business, marketing, or related area.
• 3–4 years related fundraising/marketing experience preferred.
• Knowledge of development best practices and donor relations desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational, strategic, and administrative support to fundraising professionals across multiple schools.
• Analyze data and prepare reports to support donor stewardship and recognition.
• Draft gift agreements, MOAs, and pledge documentation in collaboration with Gift Administration.
• Prepare briefing materials for leadership and stakeholders.
• Develop donor histories and updates for endowed and expendable funds.

Skills

Analytical skills

Collaboration

Communications

Learning agility

Planning & organizing

Teamwork

Technical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Senior Major Gift Associate – Arts, Sciences & Community Impact

Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Senior Major Gift Associate – Arts, Sciences & Community Impact at its Detroit campus location.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.

Essential functions (job duties)

JOB PURPOSE

Provide operational, strategic, and administrative support to fundraising professionals in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Education, College of Fine, Performing, and Communication Arts, Honors College, School of Social Work, and the University Libraries system, to help secure major and principal-level gifts. Analyze data and prepare reports to support donor stewardship and recognition. Collaborate with the Office of Gift Administration to draft gift agreements, memoranda of agreement, and other pledge documentation. Prepare information related to endowed and expendable funds. Serve as a liaison for the unit-level major gifts programs by managing project workflows, encouraging strategic alignment within the division, and interfacing with prospective and current donors. This position reports to the Senior Director, Major Gifts – Arts, Sciences and Community Impact (Sr. Dir- ASC).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Assist fundraising professionals within six schools and colleges with planning, developing, and implementing fundraising plans and initiatives to meet major gift goals and objectives. Track and monitor personalized plans created for potential major gift donors based on established strategies. Collaborate with Advancement Communications team to create and prepare impact pieces for donor cultivation and solicitation. Facilitate preparation of high-level briefing materials for Sr. Dir - ASC and university leadership. (20%)

Work with major gift and donor experience officers to review unit-specific stewardship portfolios. Coordinate with officers, dean’s office, and others as appropriate to support stewardship activities. Analyze data and prepare reports to support donor stewardship and recognition. Create and prepare donor-specific information related to giving history, named endowed and expendable funds, and updates from relevant units. (20%)

Prepare and gather statistical data for analysis and reporting purposes. Track key performance indicators based upon divisional reports and dashboards, as they correspond to unit goals and division strategic plan. Report and monitor progress toward monthly measurables and annual fundraising goals by the schools and colleges; including proposal pathways and individual fund balance reports, ensuring high-priority fundraising goals are met. (20%)

Collaborate with Gift Administration and Compliance to draft gift agreements, memoranda of agreement (MOA), and other pledge documentation. Serve as the team expert on MOA language and process for agreements, to effectively pair donor goals with school, college and institutional priorities. (15%)

Collaborate with Advancement Communications to generate fundraising communication pieces, including solicitation correspondence, proposals, and campaign-related materials. Serve as a copy-writer for Sr. Dir – ASC. Manage project workflows for engagement and segmentation for schools and colleges under the Sr. Dir – ASC leadership. (15%)

Collaborate with divisional and other university units to ensure operational efficiencies within the unit. Serve as a mentor for major gift associates throughout the division. (5%)

Route and answer routine major donor correspondence and inquiries, as appropriate. Initiate follow-up actions on pending matters. Lead special projects as assigned. (5%)

Qualifications

WORK CONTEXT

Job Reports to: Senior Director/Chair

Leadership Accountability: Implements operating plans

Supervisory Accountability: None

Organizational Accountability: None

Financial Accountability: None

Customer Accountability: Interfaces with customers outside the S/C/D

Freedom to Act: Operates with significant autonomy

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education Bachelor's degree

Additional Education Information: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in business administration, marketing, public relations, or related field.

Reasonable knowledge and understanding of university policies and procedures.

Experience Intermediate (3 to 4 years job-related experience)

Minimum of two (2) years of experience as a development or marketing professional, including developing and executing plans.

Professional understanding of, and interest in, Development and Alumni Affairs best practices and general operations. Understanding of trends and best practices within the major gifts, donor relations, and stewardship fields.

Positive and collaborative professional philosophy, recognizing that this position is integral to the achievement of the goals and objectives of Development and Alumni Affairs.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

ANALYTICAL AND PRESENTATION SKILLS: Ability to evaluate, interpret, and present complex information effectively in professionally prepared documents or presentations. Must possess a demonstrated attention to detail in order to achieve a high degree of accuracy.

COLLABORATION: Exhibits a willingness to partner with units across the university with integrity and high character to reach unified goals. Possesses the ability to navigate difficult situations with grace and understanding.

COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS: Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and professionally both orally and in writing. Strong interpersonal skills are a must. Demonstrates the ability to plan and deliver oral and written communications that are impactful and persuasive including presentations to university management and committees.

LEARNING AGILITY: Independent and innovative self-starter who displays an ability to learn quickly and easily adapts to changing situations. Experience researching topics to gain knowledge and understanding when information gaps exist.

PLANNING AND ORGANIZATION: Ability to manage several projects simultaneously, prioritize and plan work activities while meeting respective deadlines. Strong organizational and time-management skills required. Maturity, sound judgment and ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a deadline-oriented environment.

TEAMWORK: Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues within the division and other units to gain full understanding of the project and desired outcome; ability to produce high quality and consistent results with assistance of team members; provide support to teammates when tackling complex projects.

TECHNICAL SKILLS: Proficient in the use of complex administrative systems software, preferably in the higher education environment. Proficient with Microsoft Office suite, especially Word, Excel and Teams. Ability to understand and translate complex concepts into lay terms.

Working Conditions

Normal office environment. Hybrid schedule.

School/College/Division

H86 - Development & Alumni Affairs

Primary department

H8605 - Development Office

Employment type

• Regular Employee
• Job type: Full Time
• Job category: Staff/Administrative

Funding/salary information

• Compensation type: Annual Salary
• Hourly rate:
• Salary minimum: $71,000
• Salary hire maximum: $73,000

Job openings

• Number of openings: 1
• Reposted position: No
• Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
• Prior posting/requisition number:

Background check requirements

University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.