Assistant Director of Development, College of Veterinary Medicine Working/FunctionalTitle Assistant Director of Devel, Vet Med Position Summary Michigan State University's College of VeterinaryMedicine was formally established as a four-year degree-granting program in 1910. Today, the college includes three biomedical sciencedepartments
- -Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, and Pharmacology and Toxicology; two clinicaldepartments
- Large Animal Clinical Sciences and Small Animal Clinical Sciences; two service units
- the Veterinary Medical Center and theVeterinary Diagnostic Laboratory; and several research centers. As part of MSU's $4B comprehensive capital campaign, the College ofVeterinary Medicine is pacing toward our ambitious unit goal to raise $225M by 2032 in support of four visionary priorities
- including anew veterinary teaching hospital, disease prevention and treatment, one health approaches to tackling cancer, and training tomorrow's topveterinary scientists
- and to support many other important initiatives within the CVM strategic plan.
The successful candidate toserve as Assistant Director of Development will be part of a collaborative team that plans and helps direct the organization and operationof a development program for the college, including the management of fundraising efforts in specific instate and outstate geographic areas.
The Assistant Director of Development will focus efforts on significant contact with prospects whose philanthropic capacity is $50,000 andmore, managing a portfolio of approximately 70 major donor prospects. It is expected that the Assistant Director will average 12-15strategic visits per month, which will result in greater engagement and movement toward a major gift solicitation at a rate of 2 to 4solicitations per month, with all soli citation efforts cleared and coordinated with the college and University Advancement at MichiganState University. The Assistant Director will report directly to the Senior Director of Development and Alumni Relations for the College ofVeterinary Medicine. Regular in-state travel is required involving an automobile; additional travel out-of-state involving airtransportation can be expected quarterly.
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Solicitation, Cultivation &Discovery:
Build strong, engaged relationships with major gift prospects to determine and merge prospect passions/interests/needswith MSU/CVM areas of funding priority and opportunity. Carry a portfolio of approximately 70 prospect s to engage in fundraising strategiesand solicitation of gifts of $50,000 and more. Self-direct efforts to identify key prospects ready to engage, secure meetings toexplore philanthropic capacity, and qualify/disqualify prospects as major gift donors. Implement a yearly strategic fundraising planfor the college in collaboration with the development team to meet established dollar/donor goals for the college's annual fund program,focusing efforts on prospects with capacity of $50,000+. Engage 12-15 major prospects through personal visits, which result instrategic "moves" toward closure of special and major gifts each month. Interpret needs/priorities of CVM units, verbally and inwriting, to engender a level of understanding that is conducive to giving. Build working relationships with internal constituents toenhance information exchange between CVM units as well as other MSU units, including advising faculty and administrators of appropriatefund-raising strategies.
Program Support:
Assist with the development and writing of materials that clearly identifyfunding priorities, articulate the case for the support of the college, and engender an insight conducive to giving in order to advance thecollege'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 thecoordination of and participation in college alums and donor engagement, prospecting, recognition, and stewardship events, as appropriate. Serve as a liaison between the donor/prospect and the university/college to ensure that information and services that may bedesired are provided to the full extent permitted by university policy, rules, and regulations. Utilize Advance alum and donordatabase to coordinate with other development colleagues, record contact activities, update do nor information, record strategic movesmanagement steps, and gift docu mentation as appropriate. Maintain accurate donor/prospect records in the Advance system, planning anddocumenting significant strategic prospect "moves" toward closure of major gifts.
RELATED DUTIES
Prepare annual personalfundraising goals and analyze/report goal accomplishment for the dean, University Advancement, volunteers, and other relatedgroups Serve as a fund-raising consultant and advisor to the department heads and faculty as necessary Assist in planningand implementing special purpose appeals as necessary Attend appropriate workshops and seminars to enhance professionaldevelopment Act as a public goodwill ambassador for Michigan State University and the College of VeterinaryMedicine
COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Interacts with: Michigan State University alums and friends
- in order to solicit potential donors, manage donor requests, and cultivate and train them as potential volunteers CVMadministrators, faculty, and department chairs
- in order to assist in the understanding and implementation of fundraising procedures, toseek their advice on funding needs, to answer development questions, to advise them on development strategy, and to solicit them aspotential 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 CVMSenior Director of Development and Alumni Relations. Minimum Requirements Knowledge equivalent to that which normallywould be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing and/or Business; one tothree 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. Must have avalid driver's license at time of hire; travel required Desired Qualifications Three to five years of related andprogressively more responsible or expansive work experience in sales, public relations, volunteer administration, professional and highereducation or medical fundraising, marketing, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education andexperience. Professional fundraising experience in higher education and medical school. Available to manage 50% of travel, includingevenings, weekends, and holidays, when needed. Proven ability to work autonomously, collaboratively, and within a teamstructure. Demonstrated track record of financial development and/or productivity in a complex work environment. Knowledgeof tax laws affecting charitable giving. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Positive Attitude and stronginterpersonal skills. Ability to multi-task and manage time effectively in a fast-moving environment. Demonstrated abilityto work within a campus culture that includes a diverse array of personalities. Some knowledge of the Land G rantUniversity. Collaborative team-oriented style. Experience with "Moves Management" or related strategic relationshipdevelopment. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employmentwithout regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability orprotected veteran status. Required Application Materials Resume and cover letter SpecialInstructions Interested in joining the team at Michigan State University? For questions, contact Patricia Karam, Director of TalentAcquisition, at karampat@msu.edu . #LI-PK1 Work Hours 8 am
- 5 pm with possible evenings andweekends Website Advancement.
msu.edu Bidding eligibility ends on March 24, 2026, at 11:55PM To apply, visit https://careers.msu.edu/jobs/assistant-director-of-devel-vet-med-development-officer-i-east-lansing-michigan-united-states-1a3fb14f-87a7-4204-a7d4-f19e099f305f jeid-586e5fb2a640b04dad0f97ff0b7bba98