Director of Foundation Relations Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environment

Title: Development Officer II/APA 14
Working Title: Director of Foundation Relations –
Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environment

BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY

University Advancement, together with the College of Agriculture
and Natural Resources, AgBioResearch, and MSU Extension, is seeking
a confident and energetic leader to help plan and co-lead the
organization and operation of a comprehensive foundation
development program for CANR, AgBioReseach, MSUE, and the broader
MSU community. This position will be a key partner working closely
with CANR leaders and faculty to increase the department’s
development outcomes, primarily focused in the foundation space.
Identification, cultivation, and solicitation of foundation and
nonprofit entities will comprise the managed portfolio. The
Director of Foundation Relations – Agriculture, Natural Resources,
and Environment will be a key member of the CANR and Foundation
Relations development teams, and one who can assist in growing our
philanthropic efforts that support the service and
research-oriented vision and mission of CANR, AgBioResearch, MSU
Extension and the broader MSU community. This position will primary
focus on foundation prospects with a capacity to make grants of
$100,000 and more. This position is a dual report to the CANR
Senior Director of Development and the Senior Director of
Foundation Relations.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising (75%)

• Plans and implements methods of prospect identification,
  cultivation, and solicitation in order to match foundation
  interests with the strengths of CANR and MSU.
• In collaboration with the CANR Sr. Director of Development and
  the Sr. Director of Foundation Relations, this position will be
  responsible for the foundation development program for the College,
  AgBioResearch, MSU Extension, and broader MSU community. The
  Director will focus on 6- and 7-figure gift fundraising with in-and
  out-of-state travel required.
• Regularly meet with faculty to support their foundation funding
  needs and to source potential foundation partners.
• Communicate CANR faculty research/programs in a clear and
  concise way to foundation staff with the goal of building
  relationships and securing funding.
• Prepare annual operating plan that outlines measureable goals,
  objectives, and strategies to ensure fundraising success.

Foundation Development Programmatic Management (25%):

• Manage a robust portfolio and prioritize projects and research
  most appropriate to pitch to foundation partners.
• Audits internal operations in order to develop standardized
  procedures and to ensure conformity with established
  policy.
• Plans, hosts, and communicates at meetings and trainings of the
  public and University personnel in order to provide information on
  the College and/or University.

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

• Foundations – in order to solicit as potential donors,
  handle direct communication with foundations to solicit mainly
  programmatic and research support.
• MSU Faculty – in order to educate, train and partner
  with them in the Development process, to seek their advice on
  needs, to answer funding questions, and collaborate on
  prospect/proposal strategy.
• Department Heads/Michigan State University Executive
  Management – in order to consult and coordinate work within
  University structure to aid in the identification of potential
  donors and gain support of special projects.
• Michigan State University Vice President and Associate Vice
  Presidents of University Advancement – in order to advise on
  the progress of specific College campaigns.
• Peers/Professional Organizations – in order to obtain
  advice and council on options being considered for programs.

SUPERVISION

Supervision for this position is a dual report between the CANR Sr.
Director of Development and Sr. Director of Foundation
Relations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Required: 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 volunteer administration, professional
and higher education fundraising, public relations, marketing, or
related field; or an equivalent combination of education and
experience. Travel is required.

Desired:

• A Bachelor’s degree: Communications, Public Relations,
  Marketing, and/or Business preferred.
• Five years’ experience in professional fundraising, public
  relations, marketing, or a related field or three years of
  progressively responsible professional experience in higher
  education development, public relations development of budgets,
  preparation and presentation of case statements, and analysis of
  operations or a related field. Previous experience working in
  agriculture, environmental sciences, or academic environment a
  plus.
• Demonstrated organizational, interpersonal, and written/oral
  communications.
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating major gifts through
  planned giving instruments.
• Working knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable
  giving.
• Travel involving automobile.

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 want to become part of our team and, help
us help us in our ambitious campaign!

HOW TO APPLY
If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact
Patricia Karam, Director of Recruitment, at [email protected].
All candidates must submit an application resume and cover letter
through the Michigan State University Human Resources web-based
system, the URL for this website is careers.msu.edu.Please indicate the
position number 925539 when submitting your
application.

Screening of applicants will continue until the position is
filled.

MSU is committed to achieving excellence through a diverse
workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach
their full potential.The University actively encourages
applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color,
veterans, and persons with disabilities.

To apply, visit https://careers.msu.edu/en-us/job/517348/director-of-foundation-relations-anr-development-officer-ii

jeid-af80eda7948b5f4ab842aad2ff828f5a