Position Summary

The Residential College in the Arts and Humanities (RCAH) and University Development at Michigan State University seek an established fundraiser to lead a relatively new academic unit to a culture of philanthropy. RCAH is an innovative living-learning degree option designed for students who want to combine a small-college experience with the resources and opportunities available at a major university. The RCAH is home to individuals with diverse interests, skills, and talents. Our students:

•  have a passion for civic engagement;
•  engage in literature, history, ethics, the visual and performing arts, and the study of languages and cultures;
•  chart their own path with ongoing advising and career development support;
•  value individual expression, exploration and achievement.

In the RCAH, students have the opportunity to live and learn together, engage in the arts and humanities through experiential learning, focus critical attention on the public issues we face, and build community within and beyond their residential home.

In partnership with the leadership of a dynamic and energetic dean, the Director of Development shall be a confident, creative, enthusiastic and results-oriented development leader. This person shall have an understanding of and appreciation for the arts and humanities in order to build upon the foundation of its advancement program. This person shall have experience managing a fundraising program in the environment in which accountability-based metrics are used as benchmarks of performance. The Director of Development will be responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting leadership annual gifts and stewarding individuals, corporations and foundations for significant 5 and 6-figure support.

The Director of Development is expected to be an experienced, responsive and collaborative leader of the RCAH development effort who executes an aggressive calendar of donor and alumni engagement activity to ensure a continuous pipeline of private support for the college.  The Director will report directly to the Executive Director of Constituency Programs and the Dean of the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities.

Unit Specific Education/Experience/Skills

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in such fields as communications, public relations, business, the arts, the humanities or sundry programs; three to five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in professional fundraising, public relations, marketing, or a related field OR three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive professional experience in higher education development, public relations, or a related field; knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving; this position requires travel.

Desired Qualifications

Undergraduate degree; advanced degree preferred; three to five years in professional fundraising, preferably demonstrating progressive responsibility and experience in higher education fundraising; demonstration of an understanding of the key development disciplines of leadership annual gifts, major gifts, planned gifts, corporate and/or foundation gifts; proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership gifts at the five and six-figure level; a track record of success leading a development operation; and 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; clear and effective written and oral presentations; demonstrated ability to plan and successfully execute a significant comprehensive campaign.

Required Application Materials

Cover Letter and Resume

Work Hours

Work hours are 8 am to 5 pm, with some nights and weekends.