Development Director Jobs in Michigan
Development Director jobs in Michigan are consistently in demand, with strong hiring concentrated in nonprofit organizations, higher education, healthcare systems, and community foundations, at levels from emerging leaders through seasoned executive directors of development. Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Ann Arbor account for the largest share of openings, where anchor institutions such as the University of Michigan, Henry Ford Health, and United Way Worldwide's Michigan affiliates maintain ongoing needs for development leadership. The most sought-after specialties include major gifts, planned giving, and capital campaign management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 48+ Development Director jobs
- East Lansing, Michigan, United States
- Constituency Program Dir 1 40001223
- Area of Interest: Administrative/Business/Professional
- Area of Interest: PR/Media/Graphics/Comm/Fund Raising
- Full Time/Part Time: Full Time (90-100%)
- Group: Professional Supervisory- APSA
- Remote Work: Remote-Friendly
- Union/Non-Union: Union
- Support Staff
- Opening on: Sep 16 2026
- Closing at: Sep 29 2026 - 23:55 EDT
- 12
- Salary Commensurate with Experience
- University Advancement
- 1166732
Working/Functional Title
Assist Director, Annual Giving and Ops
Position Summary
Michigan State University seeks an Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Operations to join the Student Success Development team. The Student Success Development team is focused on raising funds to support campus wide programs and initiatives that within the Office of the Provost, the Division of Student Affairs, and the Executive Vice President for Administration.
The Assistant Director of Development will increase philanthropic support for the Student Success Development Office and its programs. The Assistant Director will manage a portfolio of annual giving campaigns and advancement operations to support the complexity of the unit’s reporting and data management and build pipeline development for Student Success Initiatives. This role requires meticulous organizational skills to design and implement high-quality annual giving strategies and programs, as well as work with central University Advancement’s data and reporting team to ensure all current and active funds are being properly accounted for. The ideal candidate will not only be organized and motivated but also possess a positive mindset.
Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Development, Student Success Development, the Assistant Director will actively work with colleagues from both University Advancement’s annual giving team as well as our unit partners to collaborate on best strategies. This position will also supervise the Development Assistant position.
ANNUAL GIVING -
Develop and maintain an annual giving and membership plan that supports prospect and donor moves management, quantified in positive impact on year-over-year fundraising program growth. Specific project responsibilities include:
- Create, manage, and execute increased Annual Giving strategies.
- Create digital annual giving campaigns to acquire new donors.
- Use data, reporting, and analysis to develop creative and successful strategies to increase giving and identify new major donor prospects.
- Pursue professional development opportunities to understand and implement new approaches in annual giving and membership.
OPERATIONS AND REPORTING -
Ensures the smooth execution of development activities through data analysis, systems management, financial coordination, and programmatic support related to fund review and expenditures.
- Manage complex, multi‑step operational workflows with consistency and precision.
- Identify process improvement opportunities and implement efficiency-enhancing solutions.
- Provide high-level administrative and operational support for the Senior Director of Development, and development leadership team.
- Serve as the primary resource for troubleshooting data issues, reconciling records, and standardizing procedures.
- Assist with operational budget planning and reconciliation of expenses, ensuring fiscal accuracy and alignment with unit priorities.
SUPERVISION -
Supervise the Development Assistant position.
REPORTING
Reports to the Senior Director of Development, Student Success Development.
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 fund raising or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Desired Qualifications
- Meticulous organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple projects independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Master’s degree.
- Excellent communication and analytic reasoning skills.
- Excellent customer service skills and the ability to work with a variety of people.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a complex higher education institution, and understanding and experience in development are highly desirable, as is a collaborative, team-oriented style.
- Experience in higher education fundraising or advancement services.
- Demonstrated experience with data analysis, CRM systems, or development operations.
- Some evenings and weekends are required throughout the year.
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.
#LI-PK1
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 deadline is September 22, 2026, at 11:55 PM
- East Lansing, Michigan, United States
- Constituency Program Dir 1 40001223
- Area of Interest: Administrative/Business/Professional
- Area of Interest: PR/Media/Graphics/Comm/Fund Raising
- Full Time/Part Time: Full Time (90-100%)
- Group: Professional Supervisory- APSA
- Remote Work: Remote-Friendly
- Union/Non-Union: Union
- Support Staff
- Opening on: Sep 16 2026
- Closing at: Sep 29 2026 - 23:55 EDT
- 12
- Salary Commensurate with Experience
- University Advancement
- 1166732
Working/Functional Title
Assist Director, Annual Giving and Ops
Position Summary
Michigan State University seeks an Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Operations to join the Student Success Development team. The Student Success Development team is focused on raising funds to support campus wide programs and initiatives that within the Office of the Provost, the Division of Student Affairs, and the Executive Vice President for Administration.
The Assistant Director of Development will increase philanthropic support for the Student Success Development Office and its programs. The Assistant Director will manage a portfolio of annual giving campaigns and advancement operations to support the complexity of the unit’s reporting and data management and build pipeline development for Student Success Initiatives. This role requires meticulous organizational skills to design and implement high-quality annual giving strategies and programs, as well as work with central University Advancement’s data and reporting team to ensure all current and active funds are being properly accounted for. The ideal candidate will not only be organized and motivated but also possess a positive mindset.
Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Development, Student Success Development, the Assistant Director will actively work with colleagues from both University Advancement’s annual giving team as well as our unit partners to collaborate on best strategies. This position will also supervise the Development Assistant position.
ANNUAL GIVING -
Develop and maintain an annual giving and membership plan that supports prospect and donor moves management, quantified in positive impact on year-over-year fundraising program growth. Specific project responsibilities include:
- Create, manage, and execute increased Annual Giving strategies.
- Create digital annual giving campaigns to acquire new donors.
- Use data, reporting, and analysis to develop creative and successful strategies to increase giving and identify new major donor prospects.
- Pursue professional development opportunities to understand and implement new approaches in annual giving and membership.
OPERATIONS AND REPORTING -
Ensures the smooth execution of development activities through data analysis, systems management, financial coordination, and programmatic support related to fund review and expenditures.
- Manage complex, multi‑step operational workflows with consistency and precision.
- Identify process improvement opportunities and implement efficiency-enhancing solutions.
- Provide high-level administrative and operational support for the Senior Director of Development, and development leadership team.
- Serve as the primary resource for troubleshooting data issues, reconciling records, and standardizing procedures.
- Assist with operational budget planning and reconciliation of expenses, ensuring fiscal accuracy and alignment with unit priorities.
SUPERVISION -
Supervise the Development Assistant position.
REPORTING
Reports to the Senior Director of Development, Student Success Development.
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 fund raising or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Desired Qualifications
- Meticulous organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple projects independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Master’s degree.
- Excellent communication and analytic reasoning skills.
- Excellent customer service skills and the ability to work with a variety of people.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a complex higher education institution, and understanding and experience in development are highly desirable, as is a collaborative, team-oriented style.
- Experience in higher education fundraising or advancement services.
- Demonstrated experience with data analysis, CRM systems, or development operations.
- Some evenings and weekends are required throughout the year.
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.
#LI-PK1
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 deadline is September 22, 2026, at 11:55 PM
See All 48 Development Director Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Development Director JobsDevelopment Director Jobs by City in Michigan
Where Michigan roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Development Director Job Market in Michigan
A snapshot from current Michigan openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Non-Profit & Social Services
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Michigan Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in development director jobs across Michigan.
- Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, communications, public administration, or a related field
- Proven experience managing major gift portfolios and donor cultivation pipelines
- Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor a development team toward annual fund goals
- Proficiency with fundraising CRM platforms such as Raiser's Edge or Salesforce Nonprofit
- Experience with grant writing, foundation relations, and corporate partnership development
- Strong public speaking and relationship-building skills for board and community engagement
Development Director Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a development director in Michigan?
Most development directors in Michigan move into the role after several years in frontline fundraising, major gifts, or nonprofit program management. A bachelor's degree is standard, and many employers at larger institutions prefer a master's in nonprofit management or a related field. The Certified Fund Raising Executive credential, administered by CFRE International and widely recognized by Michigan employers, is the most valued professional certification in this field and strengthens candidacy at competitive organizations.
Which companies hire development directors in Michigan?
Employers hiring development directors in Michigan right now include Spicer, DEGENKOLB ENGINEERS, and Michigan State University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Michigan's deep base of health systems, research universities, and community foundations creates steady, year-round demand across the state.
Which Michigan cities have the most development director jobs?
Detroit, East Lansing, and Troy lead Michigan for development director openings. Detroit's concentration of large nonprofits, health systems, and anchor cultural institutions drives the highest volume, while Grand Rapids benefits from a dense network of community foundations and faith-based organizations, and Ann Arbor's openings are anchored by the University of Michigan and its affiliated research and healthcare enterprises.
Are there remote development director jobs in Michigan?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields, since major gifts and board relations rely heavily on in-person relationship building. About 67% of development director openings tied to Michigan are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with hybrid arrangements most common at statewide advocacy organizations and national nonprofits with Michigan offices. Grant writing and planned giving coordination are the sub-functions most likely to allow flexible remote schedules.
How can I get hired as a development director in Michigan with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is starting as a development associate, annual fund coordinator, or grants coordinator at a mid-size Michigan nonprofit, then advancing into management. Institutions like Henry Ford Health, Michigan State University, and United Way chapters across the state regularly post entry-level development roles that feed into director-track positions. Earning the CFRE credential early, building a portfolio of successful grant applications, and volunteering on nonprofit board development committees all accelerate the transition into a director role.
Where can I find and apply to development director jobs in Michigan?
You can find and apply to development director jobs in Michigan on Migrate Mate, which lists current Michigan openings across nonprofits, healthcare, higher education, and foundations. Find roles that fit your experience level and location, then apply directly to the employer.
See All 48 Development Director Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Development Director Jobs