Aspen Leadership Group is proud to partner with Michigan State University in the search for a Senior Director of Development, College of Natural Science and Lyman Briggs College.
Reporting to the Executive Director of Constituency Programs, the Senior Director of Development will serve as the chief development officer for the College of Natural Science, overseeing the fundraising programs for both the College of Natural Science (NatSci) and Lyman Briggs College (LBC). This blended position is a unique opportunity for a seasoned fundraiser to lead comprehensive fundraising strategies for two distinct units at MSU, serving on the leadership teams of both colleges and driving fundraising results for both programs. The Senior Director will maximize each college's philanthropic potential and serve as a player-coach to frontline fundraisers in both units. In this capacity, the Senior Director will manage a personal portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and employ a rigorous, strategic moves management program to ensure that prospects are consistently engaged and moved through the development pipeline. The Senior Director will work with senior administrators and department chairs to ensure alignment with strategic priorities and foster a culture of philanthropy. As MSU prepares to launch the public phase of its next campaign, the Senior Director will assume a pivotal role in shaping the campaign priorities of both colleges. This includes leading efforts to assess program needs, recruiting and training volunteers, developing case statements, identifying and cultivating prospects, and soliciting contributions from alumni. A particular focus will be placed on identified prospects with major and principal gift capacity. The Senior Director also will coordinate both colleges' administrative and operational activities related to fundraising, working to increase private sector contributions through a targeted and integrated approach. The Senior Director will ensure the strategic recruitment and training of alumni and volunteers, conducting thorough needs assessments, developing and reviewing proposals, and actively soliciting contributions to support both colleges' ambitious goals in science education and research. Michigan State University currently operates in a hybrid work environment, spending two to three days in the office per week, depending on travel schedules. The Senior Director of Development will be expected to integrate into the culture of the university and spend time in person developing relationships with faculty and staff, as well as with colleagues across campus to effectively represent and convey the university's mission to stakeholders.
Located in East Lansing, three miles east of Michigan's capitol in Lansing, MSU's campus is one of the biggest and greenest in the nation. The 5,000-acre campus is home to more than 51,000 students. Top-ranked programs, high-quality opportunities, and a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative community enable those students to create personalized paths that prepare them to succeed and lead. MSU offers more than 400 academic programs and over 300 education-abroad programs. It has an outstanding record of students earning Rhodes, Goldwater, and other prestigious national and international scholarships. Wherever one goes, there are Spartans working to make a better world. The MSU community includes more than 12,000 faculty and academic support staff and an alumni network nearly half a million strong.
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 165 years. A top global university, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery to make a better world while providing students with life-changing opportunities. The university is ranked in the top 10 nationally by U.S. News & World Report for learning communities, study abroad, and service-learning offerings. MSU also has 35 undergraduate and graduate programs and concentrations ranked in the top 25 nationally by the publication, including six top ranked programs — undergraduate and graduate programs in supply chain management and logistics, graduate programs in elementary and secondary education, as well as both online and on campus graduate programs in curriculum and instruction. The university also has been named a gold-status veteran-friendly school by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency eight years in a row and received a gold rating for sustainability achievements in 2022 through the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
A bachelor's degree or knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a bachelor's degree program in communications, public relations, marketing, business, or a related field is preferred for this position as is at least eight years of professional experience in fundraising, public relations, marketing, or a related field. Michigan State University will consider candidates with a broad range of backgrounds. If you are excited about this role and feel that you can contribute to MSU, but your experience does not exactly align with every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply. All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of Michigan State University as well as the responsibilities and qualifications presented in the position prospectus.
The salary range for this position is $150,000 to $170,000 annually.
Michigan State University is committed to the inclusion of all qualified candidates. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or participating in the selection process, please contact Tonya Malik-Carson at tonyamc@aspenleadershipgroup.com.
To apply for this position, visit: https://opportunities.aspenleadershipgroup.com/opportunities/3194.
jeid-684c66a32cf6d8439e97f8b549625d8c
