Director of Development, CANR​/Development Officer II​/S

Director of Development, CANR / Development Officer II/S

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University is seeking a talented and ambitious individual to join our collaborative development team as the Director of Development.

In this results-oriented position, you'll play a critical role in shaping the future of STEM education and research. You'll leverage your strategic thinking and interpersonal skills to cultivate relationships with alumni and friends, securing vital resources that fuel innovation and opportunity in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

What will you do?

• Become a champion for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Michigan State University by raising support for cutting-edge research with a real-world impact across multiple fields:
  You'll manage a portfolio of 75 - 100 prospects, fostering long-term relationships that elevate the College's reputation and fuel its success.
• Uncover hidden potential:
  Employ your keen eye for discovery to identify new alumni and donors, building a robust pipeline for future giving.
• Leverage your strategic planning experience:
  Develop and execute personalized cultivation and stewardship strategies, averaging 12-15 strategic face-to-face visits and 2-4 solicitations per month.
• Collaborate for collective success:
  Partner with faculty, college leadership, and internal stakeholders to deepen relationships and maximize your impact.
• Be a part of and learn from a team dedicated to building a cohesive culture:
  Work alongside a high-performing development team, sharing best practices and celebrating collective achievements.

Why You'll Love Working Here:

• Make a tangible difference:
  Your efforts will directly translate into increased resources that empower students, faculty, research, and programs in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, AgBio Research, and MSU Extension.
• Join a collaborative environment:
  We foster a supportive and team-oriented atmosphere where you'll be empowered to grow and excel.
• Be part of a prestigious institution:
  You'll have the privilege of donning Spartan green and white, while representing the land grant mission to provide high-quality education, conduct research, and engage with the public to advance knowledge and improve lives.

The Director of Development will manage a portfolio of 75-100 major and principal gift donor prospects, focusing efforts on prospects whose philanthropic capacity is $100,000 or more to maximize the fundraising potential within the College and on behalf of Michigan State University. Additionally, the Director will oversee and manage the Associate and Assistant Directors of Development, providing leadership, mentorship, and strategic direction to ensure their success in advancing the college's development goals.

The Director will average 12-15 strategic visits per month, resulting in greater engagement and movement toward a major gift solicitation at a rate of 2 to 4 solicitations per month, with all solicitation efforts cleared and coordinated with the college and University Advancement at Michigan State University. A significant amount of the Director's time will be dedicated to traveling out of state and managing prospect activity within a few major metro areas.

The duties of the Director of Development are as follows, but are not limited to:

Fundraising -

• Engage in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of gifts, mainly from individuals, as well as some corporations and professional groups in support of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources' strategic and campaign priorities.
• Collaborate and coordinate with University Advancement, administrators, and faculty in the college to create and carry out fundraising strategies and solicitation of gifts of $100,000 and more.
• Identify and maintain an active pool of 75 prospects under strategic management.
• Achieve college fundraising goals through an active and consistent program of prospect and donor outreach that includes 180 significant contacts annually.
• Utilize phone calls, email, mail, social media, and other strategies to identify, connect with, and engage alumni with the goal of soliciting financial support.
• Identify, qualify, and work to build strong, engaged relationships with major gift prospects to determine and merge prospect passions, interests, and needs with the college's funding priority areas.
• Schedule joint prospect visits with members of college leadership, faculty, or other Development colleagues.
• Serve as a liaison officer between the unit and donors and potential donors to ensure that such information and services as may be desired are provided to the full extent permitted by university policy, rules, and regulations.
• Serve as a consultant to donors on the tax advantage of various types of gifts.
• Plan and host campus visits for donors or potential donors and their representatives.

Management -

• Provide mentorship and professional development opportunities to enhance fundraising…