Director of Annual Giving/Athletics - Development Officer I/S

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Working/Functional Title

Director of Annual Giving/Athletics

Position Summary

As a member of the prestigious Big Ten Conference, Michigan State University Athletics is a self-sustaining unit competing at a high level amongst some of the premier athletics programs within the NCAA. Private support for MSU Athletics plays a crucial role for a department that is fiscally responsible and 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 Annual Giving/Athletics

Position Summary

As a member of the prestigious Big Ten Conference, Michigan State University Athletics is a self-sustaining unit competing at a high level amongst some of the premier athletics programs within the NCAA. Private support for MSU Athletics plays a crucial role for a department that is fiscally responsible and 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 Director of Annual Giving / Athletics will partner with the Director of Development /Assistant AD Annual Giving & Strategy and many others within the Spartan Fund team on a comprehensive annual giving program. The Director of Annual Giving / Athletics will execute annual giving strategies around donor acquisition, retention, upgrade initiatives, and sport-specific giving campaigns utilizing technology and other methods to connect with potential supporters. This is an exciting opportunity for a professional who desires to serve in an important role for one of the preeminent development programs at Michigan State University.

BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

As a supervisor and member of the Spartan Fund team, the Director of Annual Giving / Athletics will execute Spartan Fund’s annual giving strategies. The Director of Annual Giving / Athletics will supervise a team focused on an annual giving program that includes leadership annual giving, sports-specific giving, membership and renewals, gift processing, and data and analytics. The Director of the Annual Giving will carry a portfolio of leadership annual giving and discovery prospects and will identify, cultivate, and solicit gifts to help grow Spartan Fund membership.  

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In collaboration with colleagues from University Advancement and MSU Athletics, and under the direction of the Director of Development /Assistant AD Annual Giving & Strategy, the Director of Annual Giving / Athletics shall:

Programmatic Management:

• Help develop and execute a comprehensive annual giving program with specific goals and performance metrics, including but not limited to donor acquisition, retention, and upgrades.
• Build annual giving strategies utilizing technology and using traditional solicitation methods. Find creative ways to connect with donors and prospective donors while promoting a level of understanding about the donor impact and the mission of Spartan Fund.
• Oversees member benefits program for Spartan Fund members, including but not limited to donor experiences, priority seating, and parking.
• 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 messaging and fundraising materials for annual giving appeals that clearly outline the case for support.
• 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 Spartan Fund leadership.  

Personnel Management:

• Help set clear direction and priorities for professionals on the team. Promote and exemplify excellence through well-defined and measurable goals.
• Works collaboratively with Spartan Fund team members to move annual giving donors into assistant and major gift officer portfolios when appropriate.
• Works collaboratively with Spartan Fund team members to develop and streamline reports to administrators, head coaches, and other key partners. 
• Coordinates with Spartan Fund team members to ensure management of internal databases, donor records, and gift processing procedures.
• Lead by example; foster a work environment that recognizes and rewards cross-functional collaboration with colleagues throughout campus.
• 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.

Fundraising:

• Develops and cultivates new prospective donor relationships and works to expand the Annual Giving donor base.
• Develop and manage a portfolio of leadership annual giving donors and discovery prospects focused on solicitations of $25,000 and above.
• Provide consistent and appropriate contact, facilitate, make solicitations, and deliver effective stewardship to those within the portfolio while utilizing technology. Complete 8-10 visits virtually per month. When possible, schedule in-person meetings with donors while they are visiting campus.  
• 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 and handle donor requests.
• Michigan State University Director of Development / Assistant AD Annual Giving & Strategy - to advise on the progress of annual giving efforts.
• Coaches - to seek their advice on needs, to answer fundraising questions, and to work alongside them on fundraising strategies for their programs. 
• Athletics development team members – supervising team in support of a comprehensive annual giving plan and other internal operations.   
• 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 Director of Development / Assistant AD Annual Giving & Strategy.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Supervision over annual giving and internal operations team members. 

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. One to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in professional fundraising, public relations, marketing, higher education fundraising, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Business, Economics, Communications, Public Relations, and/or Marketing preferred.
• Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Communications, Public Relations, Sports Management, Marketing, and/or Business.
• Four to six years of work experience in professional and higher education fundraising.
• Experience in athletics fundraising preferred.
• Proven success managing a team of professionals.
• Experience working with internal and external partners. 
• Proven organization, interpersonal, and written/oral communication skills.

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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