This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as an Assistant Director of Development/Development Officer I at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts (job posting 1009295). If you have a passion for the arts, success in fundraising, and are interested in making philanthropic connections, this may be the role for you.
The Wharton Center for Performing Arts, celebrating its 42nd season, was founded with the intent to enrich the lives of Michigan residents through art, music, and entertainment. The Wharton Center engages the community through dynamic programming, outreach, and education, and has a mission of making life more meaningful through experiencing performing arts.
In this position, you will focus on significant contact with prospects whose philanthropic capacity is between $10,000 and $100,000 and more. Additionally, you will manage a portfolio of 80 major donor prospects and average 12 to 15 strategic contacts per month. Your position will help result in greater engagement and movement toward major gift solicitation at an expected rate of 2 to 3 solicitations per month. You will work in coordination with University Advancement and tend to the needs of the Wharton Center verbally and in writing to better facilitate giving, enhance cross-collaboration amongst departments at Wharton Center and within Michigan State University, and maintain accurate donor/prospect records in the Ascend system. As Assistant Director, you will act as a public goodwill ambassador for MSU and the Wharton Center, prepare annual fundraising goals, and attend workshops and seminars to enhance professional development. Find a complete list of job duties on the MSU Careers website.
The education, experience, and skills required for this role include a degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or Business, and one to three years of related work experience in professional fundraising, higher education fundraising, marketing, or similar.
Desired qualifications include a strong ability to work collaboratively and individually, a demonstrated track record of financial development, excellent written and verbal skills, and strong interpersonal skills. You should also be available to manage some travel and work some nights and weekends as performance and donor schedules change throughout the events season.
Learn more about the Wharton Center for Performing Arts here. To learn more about this position or apply, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a resume and cover letter and should be submitted by April 21.