Working/Functional Title

Associate Director of Devel, Social Sci

Position Summary

Join the College of Social Science Team: Seeking a Dynamic Associate Director of Development!

Are you ready to make a real impact in the world of philanthropy? The College of Social Science, in collaboration with the Office of University Advancement, is on the lookout for a stellar fundraiser to join our Advancement team. We’re seeking someone who is both accomplished and responsive, collaborative, and results-oriented – ready to take our fundraising efforts to new heights!

But that’s not all – as our Associate Director of Development, you’ll dive headfirst into face-to-face interactions with high-capacity prospects ($100,000 or more), managing a portfolio of 75 major donor prospects. Imagine yourself engaging in 15 to 20 strategic visits each month, skillfully navigating “moves” toward 2 to 4 major gift solicitations per month. Your efforts won’t just stay local; you’ll also be reaching out to prospects beyond Michigan, with particular emphasis on Michigan, where most of our prospects reside.

Your role will be pivotal for success during our current capital campaign: Uncommon Will. Far Better World. You’ll be at the forefront, identifying and qualifying major donor prospects and laying the groundwork for our future successes. If you’re someone who thrives on strategic thinking, enjoys building meaningful relationships, and is ready to play a vital role in shaping the future of philanthropy at MSU, then we want to hear from you! Join us in making a difference – apply now and be part of something extraordinary.

If you review this job description and have done many of the responsibilities or have transferable skills, we want to hear from you and welcome your application! We are seeking successful, ambitious fundraisers who wish to become part of our team and help us in our ambitious campaign! 

About The College of Social Science

Our science is world-changing, applicable, and, above all, transformative.

The students, staff, faculty, and alumni of the College of Social Science work every day to make our world a better place. From studying how sleep affects our brains, to how policies affect our communities to how greenhouse gases affect our planet; social scientists seek to understand and solve the world’s toughest problems. Students have the opportunity to conduct world-class research, engage in service learning, take classes all around the globe, and test out the job market with an internship.

The Associate Director of Development will report directly to the Senior Director of Development for the College of Social Science.

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

Job Duties:

Fundraising:

• Collaborate and coordinate with Social Science Advancement, University Advancement, and administrators and faculty of the College of Social Science to create and carry out fundraising strategies and solicitation of gifts of $100,000 and more
• Build strong, engaged relationships with major gift prospects to determine and merge prospect passions/interests/needs with MSU/Social Science areas of funding priority and opportunity
• Engage 15-20 major prospects through personal visits which result in strategic “moves” toward closure of major gifts ($100,000+) each month
• Maintain accurate donor/prospect records in the Advance system, planning and documenting significant strategic prospect “moves” toward closure of major gifts
• Recruit, train, and manage volunteers who assist with planning and carrying out development objectives
• Regular travel involving automobile and air travel

Strategy, Coordination, and Communication:

• Interpret needs/priorities of Social Science units, verbally and in writing, to engender a level of understanding that is conducive to giving
• Participate as part of the Social Science Advancement team on strategic planning and initiatives, budgeting, reporting, and special events
• Assist the Senior Director of Development in planning for the capital campaign. This includes the development of funding priorities, the identification and cultivation of leadership gifts, recruitment of volunteers, and development of the case for support.
• Build working relationships with internal constituents to enhance information exchange between Social Science units, including advising faculty and administrators of appropriate fund-raising strategies

Program Management:

• Prepare annual personal fundraising goals and analyze/report goal accomplishment
• Assist in planning and implementing special purpose appeals as necessary
• Attend appropriate workshops and seminars to enhance professional development
• Act as a public goodwill ambassador for Michigan State University and all of the units contained within the College of Social Science
• Ensure best practices in office systems, practices, files and record keeping; ensure effective use of strategic tools and resources such as contact reports, prospect management, research, and analysis, and the Ascend database

Minimum Requirements

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 public relations, volunteer administration, professional and higher education fund raising, marketing or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree
• Five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive experience in professional fundraising, public relations, marketing, or related field; working knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Experience in public speaking
• Collaborative (teamwork) skills and interest
• Experience with “Moves Management” or related strategic relationship development
• Ability to “close” gifts or business deals with demonstrative experiences closing gifts of $50,000 or more
• Working knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving
• Interest and ability to travel, including by automobile, airline, and rail

If you have experience with the responsibilities outlined in this job description or possess transferable skills, we encourage you to apply! We seek driven, successful fundraisers to join our team and contribute to our ambitious campaign.

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

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

#LI-PK1

Work Hours

8 am - 5 pm with possible evenings and weekends

Website

Advancement.msu.edu

Bidding eligibility ends October 14, 2025 at 11:55 P.M.

About Michigan State University

Spartans work every day to advance the common good in uncommon ways.Together, we tackle some of the world?s toughest problems to find solutions that make life better?from alternative energy to better food safety to breakthrough medical and environmental applications achieved through rare isotope research.We teach. We explore and we discover. We collaborate and lead. We innovate, inspire, and empower. We achieve our potential and create circumstances that help our students and others achieve theirs.We're good at it, and we've been at it for more than 150 years.The nation?s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept became a model for the nation.Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world?on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation. Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs, we?re a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders.In ways both practical and profound, we work to create a stronger, more sustainable, and more hopeful future for all.

Connections working at Michigan State University