Working/Functional Title

Asst. Director of Development, Libraries

Position Summary

BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY

As the Assistant Director of Development for MSU Libraries (MSUL), the successful candidate will be part of a collaborative team that plans and directs the organization and operation of a Development program for MSUL, which includes the Main Library, Stephen O. Murray and Keelung Hong Special Collections, William C. Gast Business Library, University Archives & Historical Collections, MSU Press, and several other libraries located within Main. The Assistant Director of Development will focus efforts on significant contact with prospects whose philanthropic capacity is between $10,000 and $100,000 and more, managing a portfolio of approximately 75 major donor prospects. It is expected that the Assistant Director will average 12-15 strategic contacts 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 MSUL and University Advancement at Michigan State University. The Assistant Director will report directly to the Director of Development for MSU Libraries. 

With input from the Director, the Assistant Director will travel optimizing a combination of in-state, out-of-state, and conferencing technology to best utilize time and resources.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Solicitation, Cultivation & Discovery:

• Implement yearly strategic fundraising plan for the Libraries in collaboration with the development team to meet established dollar/donor goals for the unit’s annual fund program, high-end annual gifts of $1,000 - $10,000 and special gifts ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to support the Libraries’ endowment, expendable, and capital priorities.
• Build strong, engaged relationships with major gift prospects to determine and merge prospect passions/interests/needs with MSU/MSUL areas of funding priority and opportunity. Carry a portfolio of approximately 75 prospects to create and carry out fundraising strategies and solicitation of gifts of $10,000 and more.
• Engage 12-15 major prospects through personal visits which result in strategic “moves” toward closure of special and major gifts each month ($10,000 to $100,000).
• Interpret needs/priorities of MSUL 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 MSUL units as well as other MSU units, including faculty and administrators of appropriate fund-raising strategies.

Program Support:

• Oversee the MSUL annual fund and Greenline telemarketing campaigns along with digital campaigns like Giving Tuesday and Give Green Day.
• Assist with the development and writing of materials that clearly identify funding priorities, articulate the case for the support of the Libraries, and engender an insight conducive to giving in order to advance the unit’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 donor engagement, prospecting, recognition, and stewardship events, as appropriate. 
• Serve as a liaison between the donor/prospect and the Libraries/University to ensure that information and service that may be desired are provided to the full extent permitted by university policy, rules, and regulations
• Utilize Ascend 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. Maintain accurate donor/prospect records in the Ascend 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 dean, University Advancement, volunteers, and other related groups
• Serve as a fund-raising consultant and advisor to the department heads, librarians, faculty, and staff 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 MSU Libraries

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Interacts with:

• Michigan State University alumni and friends – in order to solicit as potential donors, manage donor requests, and to cultivate and train them as potential comprehensive campaign volunteers
• MSUL administrators, librarians, faculty, and department heads – 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 MSUL Director of Development

Unit Specific Education/Experience/Skills

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year degree program in communications, public relations, marketing, business, liberal arts, or related field. One to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in professional fund raising, public relations, marketing, higher education fund raising, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Ability to travel in-state and some out-of-state.
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends.
• Valid driver's license. 
• One to three years of progressively responsible professional experience in higher education development, not-for-profit development, outside sales, public relations, libraries, museums or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, organizational skills and intellectual curiosity.
• Collaborative team-oriented style.
• Working knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving. 
• Experience with prospect management processes or related strategic relationship development.
• Understanding of and appreciation for the importance of Libraries in the community and academic environment.
• Proven ability to work autonomously, collaboratively and within a team structure.
• 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 mission.

If you review this job description and have done many of the responsibilities or have transferable skills, we want to hear from you and welcome your application! We are seeking successful, ambitious fundraisers who want to become part of our team and help us help us in our ambitious campaign! 

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

HOW TO APPLY

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Patricia Karam, Director of Recruitment, at karampat@msu.edu. 

Screening of applicants will continue until the position is filled.

Work Hours

8 am - 5 pm with some 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 April 23, 2024 at 11:55 P.M.

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About Michigan State University

Spartans work every day to advance the common good in uncommon ways.Together, we tackle some of the world?s toughest problems to find solutions that make life better?from alternative energy to better food safety to breakthrough medical and environmental applications achieved through rare isotope research.We teach. We explore and we discover. We collaborate and lead. We innovate, inspire, and empower. We achieve our potential and create circumstances that help our students and others achieve theirs.We're good at it, and we've been at it for more than 150 years.The nation?s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept became a model for the nation.Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world?on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation. Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs, we?re a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders.In ways both practical and profound, we work to create a stronger, more sustainable, and more hopeful future for all.

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