Assoc Director of Devel, Burgess Inst​/Development Officer II

Assoc Director of Devel, Burgess Inst

The Broad College of Business and the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation seek an enthusiastic, collaborative, and results-oriented individual to join its dynamic fundraising team as the Associate Director of Development.

The Associate Director will play a critical role in advancing the Burgess Institute’s mission to foster a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation across Michigan State University. Through strategic philanthropic partnerships, this individual will help create opportunities that support student entrepreneurs, faculty innovation, alumni engagement, and the broader Spartan entrepreneurial ecosystem.

As entrepreneurship continues to expand across disciplines, the Associate Director will serve as a connector between the Burgess Institute, academic units, regional development colleagues, alumni entrepreneurs, corporate partners, and university leadership. This position will identify shared priorities, strengthen collaboration, and create pathways for philanthropic investment that support entrepreneurial thinking and experiences for students across MSU.

The Associate Director of Development is expected to be an accomplished, responsive, and collaborative member of the Eli Broad College of Business and University Advancement teams who executes a strategic donor engagement plan to build a sustainable pipeline of private support for the Burgess Institute and entrepreneurship initiatives across Michigan State University.

FUNDRAISING -

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and professional groups in support of Burgess Institute strategic priorities and Michigan State University’s broader entrepreneurship ecosystem.
• Manage an active portfolio of approximately 70 major gift prospects with philanthropic capacity of $100,000 or more, utilizing strategic moves management practices to advance donor relationships and secure philanthropic support.
• Partner with regional development officers and college/unit-based Advancement teams to identify and advance opportunities related to entrepreneurship, innovation, venture creation, experiential learning, and student success across Michigan State University.
• Serve as a university-wide Advancement resource and connector for entrepreneurship-related philanthropic opportunities by aligning donor interests with initiatives that encourage innovation and entrepreneurial thinking across disciplines.
• Develop strategies to engage Spartan entrepreneurs, founders, investors, corporate partners, and industry leaders to strengthen MSU’s entrepreneurial network and create meaningful opportunities for mentorship, engagement, and philanthropic support.
• Collaborate with Burgess Institute leadership, faculty, academic partners, and Advancement colleagues to identify emerging priorities and develop fundraising strategies that strengthen MSU’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Achieve annual fundraising goals through a proactive and consistent program of donor engagement, including approximately 180 significant contacts annually through personal visits, events, phone, email, and other outreach strategies.
• Build strong relationships with major gift prospects by understanding donor interests and connecting their philanthropic passions with Michigan State University priorities and opportunities.
• Develop and implement strategies to engage key volunteers, alumni entrepreneurs, faculty, university leaders, and Advancement partners in the cultivation and solicitation process. Coordinate joint prospect visits when appropriate.
• Serve as a primary liaison between the Burgess Institute, University Advancement partners, donors, and…