Working/Functional Title
Director of Development, Lyman Briggs
Position Summary
BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY
The Lyman Briggs College at Michigan State University seeks a Director of Development to lead its fundraising and alumni relations program. The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker, have demonstrated experience as a collaborator, strong management skills, and a track record of personal fundraising success. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned advancement professional to grow philanthropic support from individuals, corporations and foundations.
Reporting to both the Executive Director of Constituency Programs and the Dean of the College, the Director will have responsibility for increasing the philanthropic potential for the Lyman Briggs College. The successful candidate will also work collaboratively with key teams within Lyman Briggs, University Advancement, and across campus. The Director will be a confident, creative, enthusiastic, and results-oriented leader. Managing a team of professional and administrative staff, the Director will personally participate in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of major/principal gifts and will also be an active and visible member of the network that includes Lyman Briggs’ key donors, both regionally and nationally.
The Director of Development for Lyman Briggs College will preferably have an understanding of and appreciation for the sciences in order to build upon the foundation of its advancement program. The Director is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individuals, corporations, and foundations for significant 5-, 6- and 7-figure gifts to support scholarships, programs, and building renovations.
Lyman Briggs College is a residential, undergraduate, science-focused learning community dedicated to innovative and inclusive teaching, research, and engagement with the sciences in their diverse human, social, and global contexts. Lyman Briggs students build strong foundations through science and math courses (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths) as well as History, Philosophy, Sociology, and Communication of Sciences. Briggs is the only college of its kind in the country, offering this integrated and innovative science instruction in a close-knit living-learning community, with small class sizes, and
with the resources and opportunities of one of the world''s premier research universities. LBC graduates go on to be scientists, doctors, and engaged citizens of the world. LBC is committed to achieving excellence by creating and sustaining an accessible and inclusive culture that values cultural and academic diversity. Therefore, we are particularly interested in candidates of all backgrounds who are committed to the principle that excellence and diversity are achieved through shared trust and respect, open access, and proactive inclusion.
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Fundraising
- Develop and manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, with emphasis on 5-, 6-, and especially 7-figure gifts.
- Work closely with the Dean of Lyman Briggs College on a philanthropic strategic plan.
- Collaborate with other advancement colleagues on donor cultivation and solicitation.
- Plan and implement comprehensive strategies for prospects through the donor cycle of identification, solicitation and cultivation, and stewardship, coordinating activities with development colleagues across campus and the geographic regions, where appropriate.
- Provide assistance to donors regarding tax laws, policies and procedures and resolving problems to maintain a positive image of the University and College.
Personnel Management
- Set clear direction and priorities for staff. Promote excellence through well-defined and measurable goals; inspire and motivate staff through the free flow of information, placing staff members’ work within the context of Lyman Briggs strategic priorities as well as within the mission of Michigan State University, consistent with University Advancement policies and procedures.
- Lead by example; foster a work environment that recognizes and rewards cross-functional collaboration and team-based efforts. Celebrate current achievements and set clear expectations for future success.
- Actively mentor and train staff, providing frequent opportunities for professional learning and growth; emphasize retention as a means of increasing capacity and expertise of the team. Fully leverage human and financial resources and promote greater efficiency.
- Provide the structure and guidance necessary to promote a high-performance culture.
- Recruit, train, motivate, and evaluate volunteers to accomplish program goals and objectives.
Programmatic Management
- Define and pursue a comprehensive, effective program for engagement and stewardship of past, current and future donors; oversee principal/major gift and annual giving functions for the Lyman Briggs College; emphasize cultivation strategies that recognize the importance of personal interest and motivation in philanthropy to maximize donor potential; create and promote opportunities for increased volunteerism in coordination with University Advancement procedures.
- Audit internal operations to develop standardized procedures and to ensure conformity with established development policies.
- Plan, host and communicate at internal and external meetings to provide information on Lyman Briggs initiatives and the University more broadly.
- Develop and monitor budget and expenses to ensure stewardship of college and university resources and alignment with goals.
- Assist in setting both long- and short-term goals to determine resources required.
- Participate with appropriate teams to strategically link to outreach activities that have the potential to align and synergize with the philanthropic community.
- Collaborate and coordinate with marketing and communication teams at Lyman Briggs, University Advancement, and MSU.
COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Interacts with:
- LBC and other Michigan State University alumni, individuals, corporations, foundations, and community members.
- LBC faculty and advisors – with a focus on building a culture of philanthropy that includes working collaboratively to develop fundraising priorities and engaging them in the fundraising process.
- LBC staff – to train and oversee their work and to establish priorities.
- Unit Heads/Michigan State University Executive Management.
- Michigan State University Vice President of University Advancement.
- Michigan State University Fundraising Colleagues.
- Professional Organizations & Peers.
- Volunteers.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Direction is received from the Executive Director of Constituency Programs and the Dean of the Lyman Briggs College.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Provide leadership for the college Engagement Team and collaborate with professionals focused on engagement of all forms and with a variety of stakeholders including alumni, corporate and foundation partners, college members, and donors. Supervision over the Alumni & Donor Relations Coordinator.
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 higher education fundraising; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Desired Qualifications
- Undergraduate degree, advanced degree is preferred.
- Five to seven years in professional fundraising, preferably five or more in higher education or with a science focused organization. Demonstrated experience in marketing, development of budgets, preparation and presentation of case statements, and analysis of operations.
- A demonstrated commitment to MSU’s core institutional values, including strengthening a climate of respect, caring, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Meaningful experience in or knowledge of all key development areas (major giving, annual fund, planned giving, and corporate and foundation relations).
- Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership gifts at the 6- and 7- figure level.
- A proven and sustained track record of success leading a development operation.
- An approach to management that brings out the best in staff and yields pride, ownership, and a sense of team effort.
- Superior communication skills and the ability to connect with a variety of audiences.
- Exceptional experience in working in a collaborative and complex organization that assures donor coordination.
- Ability to prepare clear and effective written and oral presentations.
- Demonstrated ability to plan and successfully execute a significant comprehensive campaign.
- Working knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving; the ability to travel regionally and nationally.
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
Work Hours
Work hours are 8AM to 5PM with some nights and weekends
Bidding and Eligibility Ends on 5/18/2021 at 11:55 PM
