Director of Development

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director of Development at the Montana State University Alumni Foundation (“Alumni Foundation”) is responsible for securing philanthropic support from individuals, private foundations, and other charitable entities to advance the mission and priorities of Montana State University (“MSU”). Development staff play a critical role in building and sustaining donor relationships, ensuring donor intent is clearly understood and honored, and acting as responsible stewards of philanthropic investment.

Directors of Development demonstrate strong interpersonal judgment and adaptability, tailoring language and approach to diverse audiences. They are intellectually curious, skilled at identifying and communicating relevant information, and confident in guiding prospective donors towards meaningful contributions. The Director of Development brings proven experience securing Major Gifts (greater than $25,000) and Planned Gifts (including bequests, trusts, and real estate).

Directors of Development are expected to manage a portfolio of approximately 80 - 120 MSU alumni, friends, and prospects, proactively leading all stages of the donor lifecycle: identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. They plan and conduct strategic face-to-face donor meetings, follow through with timely documentation and outreach, and work diligently to secure and steward philanthropic support for MSU.

The Director of Development reports to the Senior Director of Development, understands and values the importance of higher education, and is highly organized, collaborative, and an effective communicator. They motivate volunteers, peers, and prospects, act with a high level of personal and professional integrity, and consistently take initiative to meet performance goals. The role requires a willingness to travel and the ability to confidently lead a successful fundraising program - including strategic planning, goal setting, implementation, and evaluation - to achieve measurable results.

Focusing primarily on donor solicitation, the Director of Development works closely with Alumni Foundation leadership and with academic and administrative partners in assigned areas. In each area, the Director of Development is responsible for establishing, managing, and advancing a robust gift pipeline and portfolio.

Key responsibilities may include:

• Become the academic unit expert and serve as liaison between the academic unit and the Alumni Foundation.
• Establish competency and be able to communicate on academic unit departments, degrees, key faculty, areas of research, programs, awards and recognition, cultivation opportunities, needs, funding initiatives, and other areas as appropriate.
• Create and implement a comprehensive development plan for the academic unit.
  Meet regularly with the Dean and appropriate academic unit leadership to review monthly reports by unit, and to discuss key prospect strategies, faculty development assignments, prospect identification, and progress to goal.
• Educate Alumni Foundation peers and other groups as appropriate about the academic unit.
• Cultivate philanthropic relationships with individuals and entities interested in the success of MSU by travelling in-state and nationally to solicit prospects.
• Achieve competency in Alumni Foundation history and purpose as well as an understanding of MSU’s strategic plans and priorities, academic units, funding priorities, and general needs.
• Develop and maintain deep subject-matter expertise in assigned development specialists, initiatives, or university priorities, working closely with the Sr. Managing Director of Strategic Initiatives to ensure alignment and impact.
• As directed, establish goals and report on progress to meet fundraising targets.
• Design, implement, and optimize comprehensive fundraising strategies, including detailed prospect development plans, to advance donor engagement and philanthropic investment.

• Draft high-quality formal correspondence, proposals, briefings, and other written materials tailored to the needs and interests of assigned prospects.
• Collaborat…