Assoc Director of Devel, Student Success​/Development Officer II

Assoc Director of Development, Student Success / Development Officer II

Michigan State University’s Student Success development team is responsible for raising funds for crucial initiatives dedicated to the undergraduate student experience. This expansive unit raises critical support for the Division for University Health & Wellbeing, the Office of Undergraduate Education, the Division of Student Affairs, and Residential and Hospitality Services, all of which directly impact the experience and success of undergraduate students.

The MSU Student Success development team is seeking an enthusiastic, energetic, and results-oriented individual to join its dynamic fundraising team as the Associate Director of Development focused on the priorities of MSU Student Success. The Associate Director will help the unit achieve aggressive goals by identifying, cultivating, and soliciting individuals for significant 6- and 7-figure support as well as periodic special purpose appeals and programs with key constituencies, corporations, and foundations.

The individual will have University Health and Wellbeing as a focus of their portfolio but will function as a team member for an office dedicated to student success as a whole. University Health & Wellbeing aims to support a university community with health and wellbeing equitably woven throughout all aspects of Spartan life. Key programs include MSU Food Bank and Basic Needs Program, Center for Survivors, Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities, and Counseling and Psychological Services.

• Engage in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, professional groups, and key constituencies to support Student Success initiatives.
• Collaborate and coordinate with University Advancement and administrators/faculty of the divisions covered to create and carry out fundraising strategies and solicit gifts of $100,000+.
• Identify and maintain an active pool of approximately 75 major donor prospects.
• Achieve unit fundraising goals through an active and consistent prospect/donor outreach program, including 180 significant contacts annually.
• Utilize phone, email, mail, social media, and other strategies to engage alumni and solicit financial support.
• Build strong, engaged relationships with major gift prospects, merging their passions/interests with MSU Student Success priorities.
• Schedule prospect/donor visits with unit leadership, faculty, or development colleagues.
• Serve as liaison officer between the unit and donors to provide information and service within University policy.
• Provide donor consultation on the tax advantages of various gift types.
• Plan and host campus visits for donors or their representatives.
• Prepare annual personal fundraising goals and analyze and report goal accomplishment.
• Assist in planning and implementing special purpose appeals as necessary.

• Interpret the needs and priorities of University Health and Wellbeing, Spartan Wellbeing Collective, and other MSU Student Success units, conveying them to potential donors.
• Participate in strategic planning, budgeting, reporting, and special events as part of the MSU Student Success development team.
• Assist the Senior Director of Development in executing the 2030 comprehensive campaign plan, including funding priorities, cultivation of leadership gifts, volunteer recruitment, and case‑for‑support development.
• Build working relationships with internal constituents to facilitate fundraising strategies.

• Maintain accurate records in the Ascend database and other prospect management tools.
• Assure best practices in office systems, file organization, and data integrity.
• Attend workshops and seminars to enhance professional development.
• Act as a public goodwill ambassador for Michigan State University and the MSU Student Success divisions.

• Interact with Michigan State University alumni, corporations, businesses, employees, and corporate leadership to solicit donors and manage donor requests.
• Collaborate with faculty, department chairs,…