Director of Development/Assistant Athletics Director-Development Officer II/S

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Working/Functional Title

Director of Development/Assistant Athletics Director

Position Summary

As a member of the prestigious Big Ten Conference, Michigan State University Athletics is a self-sustaining unit, competing amongst some of the premier athletics programs within the NCAA. Private support for MSU Athletics plays a crucial role in a fiscally responsible department competing at a high level. By seeking private support from supporters across the country, MSU can offer student-athletes a championship-level opportunity in and outside the classroom and in competition.

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Working/Functional Title

Director of Development/Assistant Athletics Director

Position Summary

As a member of the prestigious Big Ten Conference, Michigan State University Athletics is a self-sustaining unit, competing amongst some of the premier athletics programs within the NCAA. Private support for MSU Athletics plays a crucial role in a fiscally responsible department competing at a high level. By seeking private support from supporters across the country, MSU can offer student-athletes a championship-level opportunity in and outside the classroom and in competition.

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The chosen candidate for the Director of Development/Assistant Athletics Director will be an exceptional fundraiser and communicator, an effective people manager, and a visionary leader with a proven track record and an enterprise perspective. The individual will be a strategic partner with the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director of Development, Senior Director of Development, and many others within the MSU community, both internally and externally. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned professional who thrives on leading a team driven to succeed and desires to serve in a leadership role for one of the preeminent development programs at Michigan State University.

BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

As a member of the Spartan Fund Leadership team, the Director of Development Assistant AD will have oversight of Spartan Fund’s annual giving and communication efforts. The Director of Development Assistant AD will lead a team focused on sports-specific fundraising strategies, leadership giving, gift processing, data and analytics, Give Green Day, and donor communications.

The Director of Development Assistant AD will carry a portfolio and will identify, cultivate, and solicit gifts and pledges to increase support for MSU athletics and increase Spartan Fund membership.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In collaboration with colleagues from University Advancement and MSU Athletics, and under the direction of the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director of Development, the Director of Development Assistant AD  shall:

Personnel Management:

• Help set clear direction and priorities for professionals on the team. Promote and exemplify excellence through well-defined and measurable goals.
• Lead by example; foster a work environment that recognizes and rewards cross-functional collaboration with colleagues throughout campus. Celebrate current achievements and set clear expectations for future success.
• Actively mentor and train staff, providing frequent opportunities for professional learning and growth. Improve efficiencies for the team.
• Provide the structure and guidance necessary to promote a high-performance culture that meets the needs and expectations of a successful and diverse athletics community.
• Mentor, direct, and serve team members as they work to reach personal and team fundraising goals.  

Programmatic Management:

• Provide strategic oversight of the Annual Giving program, developing clear and measurable goals for increased dollars and membership each year.

• Lead communication efforts on behalf of the Spartan Fund, working in close collaboration with team and athletics colleagues. Provide direction, leadership, and support to team members focused on annual giving appeals, mini-giving campaigns, oversite/creation of renewal guide, proposals, social media, donor features, information about parking/tickets, event invites, etc.

• Help educate supporters and partners internally and externally about the needs of MSU Athletics and how every dollar will impact the student-athlete experience. Together with colleagues, develop strong communications outlining the case for support.  

• Continue to build and organize a comprehensive annual giving program and assist in setting long- and short-term goals to acquire resources needed to move MSU Athletics forward.  

• Develop and orchestrate strategic interactions between major and annual giving, communications, events and stewardship, marketing, and ticketing. 

• Support and work with coaches and their staff to coordinate fundraising efforts, plans, and initiatives for their respective sports as it pertains to sport-specific giving assignments determined by the Executive Senior Associate AD of Development.

• Oversee and coordinate Spartan Fund/Athletic Department special fundraising initiatives. 

Fundraising:

• Develop and manage a portfolio of 50-75 major gift prospects focusing on solicitations of $50,000 and above.
• Complete at least 5-10 face-to-face strategic meetings per month with donors and prospects, totaling 60-100 Significant Personal Meetings (SPMs).
• Provide consistent and appropriate contact, facilitate or make solicitations, and deliver effective stewardship to those within the portfolio.
• Have a comprehensive understanding of Michigan State Athletics priorities and make a persuasive verbal and written case for supporting key programs and projects, effectively matching the interests of prospects to specific Athletics Department needs.

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

• Michigan State University Alumni/Individuals/Major Corporations/ Businesses/Employees and Corporate Leadership - to solicit as potential donors, handle donor requests, and train and work alongside potential volunteers.
• Michigan State University Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director of Development- to advise on the progress of annual giving efforts.
• Coaches - seek their advice on needs, answer fundraising questions, and work with them on fundraising strategies for their programs.
• Athletics development team members - to train and oversee their work in support of a comprehensive strategic plan.
• MSU Athletics colleagues- to consult and coordinate work within the university structure to aid in the identification of potential donors and gain support for special projects.
• Peers/Professional Organizations - to obtain advice and counsel on options being considered for programs.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Direction is received from the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director of Development.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Supervision over the Director of Annual Giving and graphics and Communications Manager.  

Unit Specific Education/Experience/Skills

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, and/or Business. Three to five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in volunteer administration professional and higher education fundraising, public relations, marketing, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Travel Required.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Business, Economics, Communications, Public Relations, and/or Marketing preferred.
• Seven to ten years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in professional and higher education fundraising, public relations, marketing, development of budgets, preparation and presentation of case statements, and analysis of operations, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in athletics fundraising preferred.
• Proven success managing a team of professionals.
• Demonstrated successful fundraising in a complex university setting.
• Experience working with volunteers and other internal and external partners. 
• Proven organization, interpersonal, and written/oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience leading a comprehensive annual giving campaign. 
• Work Experience in professional education, fundraising, public relations, marketing, or sales preferred.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Resume and cover letter

Special Instructions

HOW TO APPLY

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Patricia Karam, Director of Recruitment, at karampat@msu.edu. 

All candidates must submit an application and resume through the Michigan State University Human Resources web-based system; the URL for this website is careers.msu.edu.

Screening of applicants will continue until the position is filled.

  

Work Hours

8 am - 5 pm with some evenings and weekends

Website

Advancement.msu.edu

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Bidding eligibility ends October 31, 2023 at 11:55 P.M.

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