Working/Functional Title

Director of Gift Planning

Position Summary

Michigan State University is seeking an enthusiastic, energetic, and results-oriented individual with a deep understanding of gift planning to join its dynamic fundraising team as the Director of the Office of Gift Planning. This position will play a leadership role in increasing the number of donors with sophisticated gift plans and the level of their charitable commitments in concert and coordination with development/advancement colleagues and university leadership. The Director of Gift Planning will exercise functional and administrative supervision over gift planning fundraising staff as assigned.

The Director of Gift Planning will be an accomplished, responsive, and collaborative member of MSU University Advancement Team. The Director will be responsible for executing an aggressive schedule of donor activity to ensure a continuous pipeline of private future and current support for Michigan State University. The successful candidate will model and disseminate effective donor-centric fundraising techniques and will play a central role coordinating and coaching unit fundraisers and donors - and donors’ attorneys, accountants, and financial planners - through complex transactions. The best candidate will be proficient in major gift fundraising and in technical areas such as estate and wealth planning, tax, illiquid or hard to value assets, complex charitable giving vehicles and structures, and the financial and personal issues affecting wealthy families.

The Director of Gift Planning will manage a revolving three-year portfolio of 75 principal, major, and/or gift planning prospects. The Senior Director will average 15 strategic personal meetings and conversations per month, which will result in greater engagement and movement toward solicitation. The successful candidate will partner with the Senior Director of Gift Planning to model, execute, and train the gift planning advisors and other University Advancement colleagues on a comprehensive and cohesive team approach. The Director will report to the Senior Director of Gift Planning.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties of the Director of Gift Planning are as follows but not limited to:

Fundraising - 

• Manage a portfolio of 75 principal, major, and planned giving prospects and donors.
• Annual fundraising activity should include over 180 significant personal meetings with prospects/donors/advisors and the delivery of over 35 proposals each year.
• Research selected individuals to identify, develop strategy for, and cultivate potential planned and major gifts.
• Assist donors and University Advancement colleagues regarding gift planning strategies, tax law, policies, procedures, and in resolving problems to effectively increase philanthropic support on behalf of Michigan State University.
• Maintain donor/prospect records to facilitate future commitments, current major gifts, and establish and maintain gift histories and records.
• Coordinate and strategize solicitation activities with regional and constituency-based fundraising colleagues.
• Develop and maintain consistent professional and collegial relationships with all college, program, and/or central fundraising personnel.
• Respond to requests from donors and potential donors, follow-up with timely cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship as needed and appropriate.
• Maintain fundamental knowledge of college, athletic, and cultural center’s strengths and critical private supports needs and campaign initiatives.
• Prepare and issue timely correspondence with alumni, friends, and donors.
• Possess a thorough understanding and ability to articulate the priorities and objectives for Michigan State University and the “Uncommon Will. Far Better World.” Campaign.
• Understand and administer the University’s stewardship and gift acceptance policies and procedures.
• Prepare and submit a personal annual operating plan.

Program Management/Team Supervision - 

• Set a leadership example of collaborative gift planning at Michigan State University and model best practices and behaviors for donor-centric fundraising.
• Support the Senior Director in devising an annual Op Plan on behalf of the Office of Gift Planning.
• In coordination with the Gift Planning team, envision and execute gift planning training and workshops that will enhance the knowledge and preparation of the entire fundraising team at Michigan State University.
• Recruit, hire, train, and guide Gift Planning fundraisers and support staff.
• Assist the Senior Director of Gift Planning in devising and executing fundraising strategies for the gift planning team.
• Conduct the annual review process and evaluations for all direct reports.
• Assist the Senior Director of Gift Planning in meetings and projects as needed.
• Participate and assist in planning for alumni and donor events in the appropriate region.
• Complete other relevant tasks as assigned and mutually negotiated.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Direction received from the Senior Director of Gift Planning.

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS 

Interacts with: Michigan State University alumni, friends, administration, staff, and faculty as potential gift planning and major gift prospects, donors or volunteers.

University Development College fundraisers to develop donor solicitation strategies and collaboration on the implementation and follow through of said strategies.

Minimum Requirements

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 public relations, volunteer administration, professional and higher education fund raising, marketing or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Travel involving by automobile, airlines, and rail; Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Desired Qualifications

• An advanced degree is preferred.
• Fundraising experience at an institution of higher learning.
• Demonstrated excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to speak in public and in small group environments.
• Collaborative and team-oriented work style.
• Strong work ethic.
• Experience with “Moves Management” or related strategic relationship development techniques and practices.
• Ability to “close” current and future gifts and/or business deals.
• Working knowledge of tax laws affecting bequests, split income gifts, current giving, charitable and general estate planning.
• Demonstrated knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn, Michigan State University’s mission, culture, and values, with an appreciation for its land-grant heritage and alumni community.

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 

Special Instructions

Interested in joining the team at Michigan State University? If you have any questions, please contact Patricia Karam, Director of Talent Acquisition, at karampat@msu.edu. 

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Work Hours

8 am - 5 pm with possible evenings and weekends

Website

Advancement.msu.edu

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment, and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Bidding eligibility ends May 12, 2026, at 11:55 PM

About Michigan State University

Spartans work every day to advance the common good in uncommon ways.Together, we tackle some of the world?s toughest problems to find solutions that make life better?from alternative energy to better food safety to breakthrough medical and environmental applications achieved through rare isotope research.We teach. We explore and we discover. We collaborate and lead. We innovate, inspire, and empower. We achieve our potential and create circumstances that help our students and others achieve theirs.We're good at it, and we've been at it for more than 150 years.The nation?s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept became a model for the nation.Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world?on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation. Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs, we?re a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders.In ways both practical and profound, we work to create a stronger, more sustainable, and more hopeful future for all.

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