Senior Director of Development for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Michigan State University - East Lansing, MI
Michigan State University seeks a Senior Director of Development for the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources who will be a strategic, collaborative, and results-driven leader, guiding the advancement efforts for one of the nation’s premier agriculture and natural resources programs. As the college’s chief development officer, the Senior Director will manage a personal portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, meet individual fundraising goals, and lead the advancement team in achieving annual targets for fundraising and alumni engagement. This role oversees a team of 11 professionals—including six frontline fundraisers, alumni engagement, and stewardship staff—and works closely with the Dean of CANR as a key member of his leadership team. The CANR advancement program is among the university’s highest performing academic fundraising units. With the energy and vision of a new dean, this role offers an exciting opportunity to elevate an already-strong program to new heights. It is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned advancement professional to enhance a robust development operation and play a critical role in advancing one of MSU’s most ambitious campaign efforts: Uncommon Will. Far Better World.
As the nation’s premier land-grant university and first agricultural college, known originally as The Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, Michigan State University was founded with the goal of democratizing higher education and bringing innovation in science and in the arts and humanities into everyday life. MSU has evolved into a world-class university, offering a full spectrum of programs that attracts gifted professors, academic staff, support staff members, and students. The University is part of the Big Ten Conference and, since 1964, has been one of 71 members of the prestigious Association of American Universities. MSU is a top-ranked global university, with 32 undergraduate and graduate programs and concentrations ranked in the top 25 nationally by U.S. News & World Report, including nine No. 1-ranked programs. MSU is often called Michigan’s State University, and for good reason. MSU enrolls more Michigan students than any other university – approximately 35,000 – and more than 275,000 of its more than half a million alums live in state.
Michigan State University's College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, the first college at MSU, has a well-established national and international reputation for innovative research, education, extension and outreach. The mission of CANR is to enhance the quality of life for the people of Michigan and the world by advancing knowledge for the management of communities and agriculture, natural resources, and food systems to meet diverse human needs in a sustainable manner. They accomplish this mission through learning, discovery, and engagement. As a community, CANR values: scholarship; providing service to others; cultivating and maintaining partnerships; balance among teaching, research, and outreach and extension activities; creation of basic and applied science and its translation into workable solutions that address critical societal needs; promoting excellence and valuing academic freedom, diversity, equity, and inclusion; accountability to meet the mission and programmatic priorities; and the tradition of the land-grant mission, upon which MSU was founded. The University and CANR are both national leaders and partners in fostering the economic sustainability of the state.
"While our 65,000 alumni represent a strong and engaged donor base, we also attract support from corporations, foundations, and high-profile philanthropists. Our programming aligns with a wide range of donor priorities—from promoting sustainability and fighting global hunger to developing world-class athletic surfaces and protecting Michigan’s water resources. This is a once-in-a-career opportunity to help shape the future of a legacy institution poised for even greater impact. The incoming Senior Director of Development will inherit a strong foundation—CANR exceeded its fundraising targets for the fourth consecutive year in FY25, reflecting the strength of our donor relationships and strategic engagement. They will lead a high-performing development team and collaborate closely with a leadership team that values innovation, initiative, and bold thinking." — Matthew Daum, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
For more information, including core competencies and qualifications, please refer to the full prospectus.
As the nation’s premier land-grant university and first agricultural college, known originally as The Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, Michigan State University was founded with the goal of democratizing higher education and bringing innovation in science and in the arts and humanities into everyday life. MSU has evolved into a world-class university, offering a full spectrum of programs that attracts gifted professors, academic staff, support staff members, and students. The University is part of the Big Ten Conference and, since 1964, has been one of 71 members of the prestigious Association of American Universities. MSU is a top-ranked global university, with 32 undergraduate and graduate programs and concentrations ranked in the top 25 nationally by U.S. News & World Report, including nine No. 1-ranked programs. MSU is often called Michigan’s State University, and for good reason. MSU enrolls more Michigan students than any other university – approximately 35,000 – and more than 275,000 of its more than half a million alums live in state.
Michigan State University's College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, the first college at MSU, has a well-established national and international reputation for innovative research, education, extension and outreach. The mission of CANR is to enhance the quality of life for the people of Michigan and the world by advancing knowledge for the management of communities and agriculture, natural resources, and food systems to meet diverse human needs in a sustainable manner. They accomplish this mission through learning, discovery, and engagement. As a community, CANR values: scholarship; providing service to others; cultivating and maintaining partnerships; balance among teaching, research, and outreach and extension activities; creation of basic and applied science and its translation into workable solutions that address critical societal needs; promoting excellence and valuing academic freedom, diversity, equity, and inclusion; accountability to meet the mission and programmatic priorities; and the tradition of the land-grant mission, upon which MSU was founded. The University and CANR are both national leaders and partners in fostering the economic sustainability of the state.
"While our 65,000 alumni represent a strong and engaged donor base, we also attract support from corporations, foundations, and high-profile philanthropists. Our programming aligns with a wide range of donor priorities—from promoting sustainability and fighting global hunger to developing world-class athletic surfaces and protecting Michigan’s water resources. This is a once-in-a-career opportunity to help shape the future of a legacy institution poised for even greater impact. The incoming Senior Director of Development will inherit a strong foundation—CANR exceeded its fundraising targets for the fourth consecutive year in FY25, reflecting the strength of our donor relationships and strategic engagement. They will lead a high-performing development team and collaborate closely with a leadership team that values innovation, initiative, and bold thinking." — Matthew Daum, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
For more information, including core competencies and qualifications, please refer to the full prospectus.