Assistant Director Jobs in Michigan

INTRODUCTION

Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine was formally established as a four-year degree-granting program in 1910. Today, the college includes three biomedical science departments - Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, and Pharmacology and Toxicology; two clinical departments - Large Animal Clinical Sciences and Small Animal Clinical Sciences; two service units - the Veterinary Medical Center and the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory; and several research centers.

As part of MSU’s $4B comprehensive capital campaign, the College of Veterinary Medicine is pacing toward our ambitious unit goal to raise $225M by 2032 in support of four visionary priorities – including a new veterinary teaching hospital, disease prevention and treatment, one health approaches to tackling cancer, and training tomorrow’s top veterinary scientists – and to support many other important initiatives within the CVM strategic plan.

The successful candidate to serve as Assistant Director of Development will be part of a collaborative team that plans and helps direct the organization and operation of a development program for the college, including the management of fundraising efforts in specific instate and outstate geographic areas. The Assistant Director of Development will focus efforts on significant contact with prospects whose philanthropic capacity is $50,000 and more, managing a portfolio of approximately 70 major donor prospects. It is expected that the Assistant Director will average 12-15 strategic visits per 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 the college and University Advancement at Michigan State University. The Assistant Director will report directly to the Senior Director of Development and Alumni Relations for the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Regular in-state travel is required involving an automobile; additional travel out-of-state involving air transportation can be expected quarterly.

Position Summary

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Solicitation, Cultivation & Discovery:

• Build strong, engaged relationships with major gift prospects to determine and merge prospect passions/interests/needs with MSU/CVM areas of funding priority and opportunity. Carry a portfolio of approximately 70 prospects to engage in fundraising strategies and solicitation of gifts of $50,000 and more.
• Self-direct efforts to identify key prospects ready to engage, secure meetings to explore philanthropic capacity, and qualify/disqualify prospects as major gift donors.
• Implement a yearly strategic fundraising plan for the college in collaboration with the development team to meet established dollar/donor goals for the college's annual fund program, focusing efforts on prospects with capacity of $50,000+.
• Engage 12-15 major prospects through personal visits, which result in strategic “moves” toward closure of special and major gifts each month.
• Interpret needs/priorities of CVM units, verbally and in writing, to engender a level of understanding that is conducive to giving.
• Build working relationships with internal constituents to enhance information exchange between CVM units as well as other MSU units, including advising faculty and administrators of appropriate fundraising strategies.

Program Support:

• Assist with the development and writing of materials that clearly identify funding priorities, articulate the case for the support of the college, and engender an insight conducive to giving in order to advance the college's annual and campaign fundraising goals. Materials may include solicitation appeals, proposals, and other materials for engagement, cultivation, and solicitation, as well as marketing and communication materials targeted to alums and donors.
• Assist with the coordination of and participation in college alums and donor engagement, prospecting, recognition, and stewardship events, as appropriate.
• Serve as a liaison between the donor/prospect and the university/college to ensure that information and services that may be desired are provided to the full extent permitted by university policy, rules, and regulations.
• Utilize Advance alum 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. Maintain accurate donor/prospect records in the Advance system, planning and documenting significant strategic prospect “moves” toward closure of major gifts.

RELATED DUTIES

• Prepare annual personal fundraising goals and analyze/report goal accomplishment for the dean, University Advancement, volunteers, and other related groups.
• Serve as a fundraising consultant and advisor to the department heads and faculty as necessary.
• Assist in planning and implementing special purpose appeals as necessary.
• Attend appropriate workshops and seminars to enhance professional development.
• Act as a public goodwill ambassador for Michigan State University and the College of Veterinary Medicine.

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Interacts with:

• Michigan State University alums and friends – in order to solicit potential donors, manage donor requests, and cultivate and train them as potential volunteers.
• CVM administrators, faculty, and department chairs – in order to assist in the understanding and implementation of fundraising procedures, to seek their advice on funding needs, to answer development questions, to advise them on development strategy, and to solicit them as potential donors.
• Peers – in order to obtain advice and counsel on options being considered for programs and in order to coordinate the cultivation and solicitation of donor prospects.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Supervision is received from the CVM Senior Director of Development and Alumni Relations.

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; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in professional fundraising, public relations, marketing, higher education fundraising or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Must have a valid driver’s license at time of hire; travel required.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Three to five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in sales, public relations, volunteer administration, professional and higher education or medical fundraising, marketing, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Professional fundraising experience in higher education and medical school. Available to manage 50% of travel, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, when needed.
• Proven ability to work autonomously, collaboratively, and within a team structure.
• Demonstrated track record of financial development and/or productivity in a complex work environment.
• Knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Positive attitude and strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to multi-task and manage time effectively in a fast-moving environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a campus culture that includes a diverse array of personalities.
• Some knowledge of the Land Grant University.
• Collaborative team-oriented style.
• Experience with “Moves Management” or related strategic relationship development.

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 karampat@msu.edu.

WORK HOURS

8 am - 5 pm with possible evenings and weekends.

LOCATION

East Lansing, Michigan, United States

COMPENSATION

Salary Commensurate with Experience.

BIDDING ELIGIBILITY ENDS ON MARCH 24, 2026, AT 11: 55 PM