Assistant Director of Development

Who We Are

Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) is a private, non-profit academic institution intrinsically tied to the real world – a confluence of industry knowledge, work ethic and an enduring desire to know more. The university offers Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in engineering, computer science, machine learning, user experience, construction management, actuarial science, business and nursing. With about 3,000 students, faculty and staff, MSOE is large enough for big opportunities and small enough for personal attention.

A Small University Dedicated to Achieving Big Things

MSOE is a supportive environment where everyone is valued. Our method of learning by doing is our distinction: it is how we teach, how we learn and how we serve. MSOE’s top priority is serving our students. By joining our community, you are building the leaders of tomorrow.

Our Mission

MSOE is the university of choice for those seeking an inclusive community of experiential learners driven to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. We are united by our six values – collaboration, excellence, inclusion, innovation, integrity and stewardship – which represent the core of our campus culture. MSOE has embarked on an ambitious strategic plan, Extraordinary Together, that propels the institution forward. At MSOE, we are dedicated to promoting an academic environment marked by an unwavering respect for every individual.

Summary

MSOE invites applications for a full-time Assistant Director of Development to join our University Advancement team. Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, the Assistant Director of Development is responsible for cultivating and stewarding relationships with alumni, friends, faculty and staff to facilitate support of MSOE through major gifts while serving as a philanthropic liaison for key institutional priorities. This position manages a portfolio of donors and prospects and works closely with campus leaders to translate university priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities. In partnership with university advancement colleagues, the Assistant Director of Development will develop and execute an annual plan to increase major gifts to MSOE.

Essential Job Functions

Major Gift Productivity

• Develop and manage a portfolio of qualified prospects and donors at the $25,000 level and above.  This includes discovery of new prospects and managing them effectively through all stages of the donor engagement process including discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Complete a minimum of 120 personal meetings that meet the standard for qualified action to build strong donor relationships and advance prospects toward philanthropic commitments.
• Achieve metrics for prospects added to the development portfolio, number of solicitations, number of solicitations closed and total dollars committed during each fiscal year.
• This will require independent travel, as well as with other development staff, faculty and administrators including collaborating and preparing strategy and meeting documents. 
• Devise strategies and develop proposals to solicit commitments from prospective major giving donors. 

Major Gift Portfolio Management

• Responsible for developing a cultivation and solicitation strategy for each prospect under management and entering call reports and substantive contacts for each completed action in a timely manner.
• Responsible for the timely completion for gift agreements, letters-of-intent and in-kind gift forms to document donor commitments.
• Collaborate with donor relations and stewardship to ensure donors are properly thanked and impact of giving is communicated.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across University Advancement including Annual Giving, Donor Relations, Alumni Relations, Advancement Operations, and UA Marketing.
• Participate in prospect strategy meetings, campaign planning and pipeline development efforts.
• Support Senior Director of Development, VPUA and Office of the President through briefings and follow-up.

Philanthropic Liaison for Institutional Priorities

• Serve as primary development liaison for assigned institutional priorities (e.g., academic colleges, programs, centers, scholarships, strategic initiatives or capital priorities).
• Partner with campus leaders to understand funding needs, program goals and impact opportunities.
• Translate institutional priorities into clear, compelling philanthropic cases for support.
• Advise campus partners on fundraising readiness, donor engagement strategies and appropriate stewardship practices, including preparation for joint meetings.

Participate as a Member of the Office of University Advancement

• Attend all department meetings as required.  Provide staff support for events and activities related to the Office of University Advancement including engaging alumni, donors and partners to advance cultivation and stewardship.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Staff events as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time. The nature of fundraising and constituent engagement requires flexibility in work hours, including evenings, weekends, and overnight travel to meet institutional advancement objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Minimum of one (1) year of professional experience in fundraising, sales, business development, client relationship management, higher education, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Experience in direct fundraising, donor relations, or major gift development preferred.
• Experience in related fields outside higher education fundraising may be considered.
• Experience may be considered in lieu of educational accomplishments.
• Expected to maintain confidentiality.

Physical Demands

Ascending and descending of stairs (building that does not contain an elevator).

Why Join MSOE?

At MSOE, we invest in our employees’ professional and personal growth. MSOE offers competitive, fully comprehensive benefit plans to all full-time employees including medical, dental, life, disability and vision insurance, 13 paid holidays, Paid Time Off, and paid parental leave, as well as a 403(b) retirement plan with company matching of up to 6% of employee earnings and immediate vesting. Educational benefits are available for employees and family members. Plus, employees have access to our state-of-the-art fitness center at no charge. Located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, MSOE is just blocks away from the beautiful lakefront, the theater district, museums, sports and music venues, parks and shopping. To view more detailed information about MSOE, please visit www.msoe.edu/hr.

The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principle functions of the occupation described and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the occupation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.It is the policy of MSOE to provide equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic characteristics, marital status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law. This policy applies to all jobs at the University and to all the terms, benefits, and conditions of employment/enrollment.