Development Associate / Development Assistant

Working/Functional Title

Development Associate

Position Summary

Basic Function

The Development Associates Program in University Advancement provides entry-level positions that allow the University to recruit and hire individuals with the foundational skills and motivation necessary to be successful fundraisers.

The Development Associates will serve as entry-level fundraisers within the central office of University Advancement. They will work within an environment heavily concentrated on mentorship and professional coaching that will afford the candidate an opportunity to learn the art and science of fundraising at Michigan State University. The curriculum will focus on portfolio management of individuals, with an emphasis on the discovery/qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of Michigan State University alumni/donors primarily focused within the state of Michigan.

This is a contract position funded for one year from the date of hire, with the possibility of extension. The position will be funded annually with anticipation that the successful candidate(s) will be well-positioned to transition into a full-time University Advancement position within a 12–18 month time frame.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Prospect Management and Fundraising:

• Interface and coordinate prospect identification efforts with college/unit development teams, Annual Giving team, and MSU Alumni Engagement Officers.
• Represent the University at fundraising meetings and other appropriate occasions, speak to professional organizations and other appropriate groups, and host development-related functions.
• Build and manage a development portfolio.
• Discover, cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership annual and entry-level major gift prospects, primarily within the State of Michigan.
• Follow-up on leads provided by the Annual Giving Team and the Prospect Development team.
• Develop individual fundraising style to ensure first-year benchmarks are reached.

Orientation, Learning, and Continual Training:

• Develop proficiency of systems utilized by development officers including Ascend (Salesforce), Pledge Assistant, Briefing Papers, Scholarships and Endowment Database, Endowment Calculator, etc.
• Develop working knowledge of tax laws affecting Charitable Giving.
• Develop an understanding of departments across University Advancement and how they complement major gift work, including event planning/management, Annual Giving, Alumni Office, etc.
• Attend University Advancement monthly meetings to build knowledge of fundraising priorities.
• Meet regularly with the Development Associates Team.
• Meet regularly with Director, Development Associates Program.
• Perform six-month performance evaluations and complete an Annual Review to assess progress toward learning goals.
• Attend conferences/trainings offered by University Advancement for ongoing professional development.

 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Direction received from the Director, Development Associates Program.

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

• Michigan State University alumni/parents/friends/corporations/businesses/employees - to cultivate and solicit as potential donors and work with them as volunteers on boards/councils/groups.
• Regional major and gift planning colleagues, and constituency-based development colleagues - to coordinate cultivation and solicitation strategies for prospects to maximize gift potential.
• Michigan State University executive management - to consult and coordinate work within University structure to aid in the discovery of potential donors and gain support of special projects.
• Michigan State University Vice President of University Advancement and Associate Vice President of University Development - to advise on the progress of specific campaign regional goals.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which would normally would be acquired by completing a four year college program in Communications, Public Relations, or Marketing; up to six months of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in professional fundraising, public relations, marketing, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree; Business, Communications, Marketing, Non-Profit Management, and/or Public Relations preferred; demonstrated organizational, interpersonal, and written/oral communication skills.

Travel is required throughout the year both in-state and out-of-state. Possession of a valid vehicle operator’s license.