Working/Functional Title
Asst. Director of Development, Libraries
Position Summary
BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY
As the Assistant Director of Development for MSU Libraries (MSUL), the successful candidate will be part of a collaborative team that plans and directs the organization and operation of a Development program for MSUL, which includes the Main Library, Stephen O. Murray and Keelung Hong Special Collections, William C. Gast Business Library, University Archives & Historical Collections, MSU Press, and several other libraries located within Main. The Assistant Director of Development will focus efforts on significant contact with prospects whose philanthropic capacity is between $10,000 and $100,000 and more, managing a portfolio of approximately 75 major donor prospects. It is expected that the Assistant Director will average 12-15 strategic contacts per month, which will result 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 MSUL and University Advancement at Michigan State University. The Assistant Director will report directly to the Director of Development for MSU Libraries.
With input from the Director, the Assistant Director will travel optimizing a combination of in-state, out-of-state, and conferencing technology to best utilize time and resources.
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Solicitation, Cultivation & Discovery:
- Implement yearly strategic fundraising plan for the Libraries in collaboration with the development team to meet established dollar/donor goals for the unit’s annual fund program, high-end annual gifts of $1,000 - $10,000 and special gifts ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to support the Libraries’ endowment, expendable, and capital priorities.
- Build strong, engaged relationships with major gift prospects to determine and merge prospect passions/interests/needs with MSU/MSUL areas of funding priority and opportunity. Carry a portfolio of approximately 75 prospects to create and carry out fundraising strategies and solicitation of gifts of $10,000 and more.
- Engage 12-15 major prospects through personal visits which result in strategic “moves” toward closure of special and major gifts each month ($10,000 to $100,000).
- Interpret needs/priorities of MSUL units, verbally and in writing, to engender a level of understanding that is conducive to giving.
- Build working relationships with internal constituents to enhance information exchange between MSUL units as well as other MSU units, including faculty and administrators of appropriate fund-raising strategies.
Program Support:
- Oversee the MSUL annual fund and Greenline telemarketing campaigns along with digital campaigns like Giving Tuesday and Give Green Day.
- Assist with the development and writing of materials that clearly identify funding priorities, articulate the case for the support of the Libraries, and engender an insight conducive to giving in order to advance the unit’s annual and campaign fundraising goals. Materials may include solicitation appeals, proposals, and other materials for engagement, cultivation, and solicitation, as well as marketing and communication materials targeted to alums and donors.
- Assist with the coordination of and participation in donor engagement, prospecting, recognition, and stewardship events, as appropriate.
- Serve as a liaison between the donor/prospect and the Libraries/University to ensure that information and service that may be desired are provided to the full extent permitted by university policy, rules, and regulations
- Utilize Ascend alumni and donor database to coordinate with other development colleagues, record contact activities, update donor information, record strategic moves management steps, and gift documentation as appropriate. Maintain accurate donor/prospect records in the Ascend system, planning and documenting significant strategic prospect “moves” toward closure of major gifts.
RELATED DUTIES
- Prepare annual personal fundraising goals and analyze/report goal accomplishment for dean, University Advancement, volunteers, and other related groups
- Serve as a fund-raising consultant and advisor to the department heads, librarians, faculty, and staff as necessary
- 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 MSU Libraries
COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Interacts with:
- Michigan State University alumni and friends – in order to solicit as potential donors, manage donor requests, and to cultivate and train them as potential comprehensive campaign volunteers
- MSUL administrators, librarians, faculty, and department heads – in order to assist in the understanding and implementation of fundraising procedures, to seek their advice on funding needs, to answer development questions, to advise them on development strategy, and to solicit them as potential donors
- Peers – in order to obtain advice and counsel on options being considered for programs and in order to coordinate the cultivation and solicitation of donor prospects
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Supervision is received from the MSUL Director of Development
Unit Specific Education/Experience/Skills
Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year degree program in communications, public relations, marketing, business, liberal arts, or related field. One to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in professional fund raising, public relations, marketing, higher education fund raising, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Desired Qualifications
- Ability to travel in-state and some out-of-state.
- Ability to work some evenings and weekends.
- Valid driver's license.
- One to three years of progressively responsible professional experience in higher education development, not-for-profit development, outside sales, public relations, libraries, museums or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, organizational skills and intellectual curiosity.
- Collaborative team-oriented style.
- Working knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving.
- Experience with prospect management processes or related strategic relationship development.
- Understanding of and appreciation for the importance of Libraries in the community and academic environment.
- Proven ability to work autonomously, collaboratively and within a team structure.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Positive Attitude and strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to multi-task and manage time effectively in a fast-moving environment.
- Demonstrated ability to work within a campus culture that includes a diverse array of personalities.
- Some knowledge of the Land Grant University mission.
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