Assoc Director of Devel, Spartan Fund / Development Officer II

Working/Functional Title

Assoc Director of Devel, Spartan Fund

Position Summary

The Advancement Team is seeking an enthusiastic, energetic, and results-oriented individual with a demonstrated ability to work within a campus culture that includes a diverse array of personalities and to cohesively manage multiple expectations. 

MSU Spartan Fund (Athletics)

Competing within the prestigious Big Ten Conference, Michigan State University Athletics is a self–sustaining unit and private financial support plays a crucial role.

The Spartan Fund secures philanthropic contributions through capital, endowment, annual gifts, and planned gifts in support of MSU Athletics. These gifts support our student-athletes, programs, and coaches in their quest for excellence.

Annually, nearly 700 student-athletes across 23 varsity programs, who are getting a world-class education while playing the sport they love. With support from Spartans and others across the country, we offer championship-level opportunities in the classroom, in competition, and within the community. We are helping shape the future of MSU Athletics.

JOB SUMMARY

The Associate Director of Development identifies, cultivates, and solicits gifts and pledges from donors and prospects capable of contributing $50,000 or more.

The Associate Director of Development is responsible for managing, developing, and maintaining a portfolio of donors to secure major gifts and planned gifts. The Associate Director of Development will be responsible for fundraising in specific regions within Michigan and will also have a regional assignment outside of the state. They will work closely with other athletic department leaders, coaches, and development colleagues to maximize donations for intercollegiate athletics and Michigan State University. This role may require frequent travel and regular participation in evening and weekend activities.

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Fundraising:

Discovery, Cultivation, Solicitation:

• Develop and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects focusing on solicitations of $50,000 and above, with emphasis on 6- and 7-figure fundraising.
• Conduct strategic moves with prospects and donors and participate in a minimum of 30 solicitations per year.
• Complete at least 15-20 significant personal contacts per month with donors and prospects.  
• Provide consistent and appropriate contact, facilitate or make solicitations, and deliver effective stewardship.
• Develop and maintain an awareness of social, business, and philanthropic cultures in a defined Region and serve as an expert liaison for the Michigan State Athletics community.
• Identify and formally qualify new major and planned gift prospects by developing and executing long-range and short-range strategies and plans to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects, producing a continuous stream of donors capable of making gifts of $50,000 or more to Michigan State Athletics.

Strategy, Coordination, Collaboration:

• Gather data, assess prospects, and develop strategies designed to realize the current and lifetime potential of individual prospects. Utilize gift reports to find new prospects for special gifts and major gifts teams.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with academic and other unit colleagues on campus.
• Coordinate and facilitate activity that will directly result in prospect identification, engagement, and successful solicitation, including advising athletics leadership, coaches, and development colleagues on the culture, expectations, and needs of the University’s constituents.

Management, Planning:

• Have a comprehensive understanding of Michigan State Athletics priorities and make a persuasive verbal and written case for supporting key programs and projects, effectively matching the interests of prospects to specific Athletics Department needs.
• Assist with volunteer structures in recruiting and sustaining a strong volunteer network to assist in prospect identification, cultivation, and solicitation, as well as to provide expanded opportunities for key prospects to engage with Michigan State Athletics and the University as a whole.

 

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as Spartan Fund liaison for varsity sport(s).
• Participate in Athletic Development events as appropriate. This includes but is not limited to home and away football game activities, on and off-campus donor activities, other athletic events, etc.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Commun