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Development Assistant

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MIJobSeen todaySeen in employer's feed today

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At a glance

Compensation
No compensation found
Location
East Lansing, MI
Work Authorization
Not specified

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Job overview

The Development Assistant provides administrative and project management support to the Nat Sci Advancement Team, University Advancement, and the College of Natural Science. The role coordinates annual giving campaigns, donor stewardship, advancement data, and alumni engagement events, while supporting financial operations and special projects. It also maintains donor and operational records and collaborates with campus partners, donors, alumni, and external constituents.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Interpersonal SkillsRelationship BuildingCustomer ServiceOrganizational SkillsAdministrative SkillsProject CoordinationMicrosoft OfficeDatabase ManagementFinancial ProcessesInformation AnalysisEvent CoordinationConfidential Records ManagementCommunicationAttention to DetailProblem SolvingAdaptabilityFundraisingPublic RelationsMarketingAdvancement and Philanthropy

Qualifications

Four-Year College ProgramCommunications, Public Relations, Marketing or RelatedUp to Six Months Related ExperienceEquivalent Education and Experience

Full job description

Position Summary

The Development Assistant will provide administrative and project management support to advance the mission and goals of the Nat Sci Advancement Team, University Advancement and the College of Natural Science.

Responsibilities

Administrative, Financial & Operational Support

  • Provide administrative and project coordination support to the Senior Director of Development and College Advancement team.

  • Coordinate calendars, meetings, travel, purchasing, reimbursements, and other operational activities.

  • Coordinate annual operating plans, assist with budget development, and maintain financial tracking in collaboration with advancement leadership.

  • Process and reconcile financial transactions, purchasing card expenses, and reimbursements using university systems.

  • Maintain departmental records, correspondence, financial documentation, procedural resources, and operational materials.

  • Serve as a liaison with University Advancement, campus departments, donors, alumni, and external partners to support advancement operations and team priorities.

  • Recommend process improvements to enhance operational efficiency and program effectiveness.

Annual Giving & Fundraising Initiatives

  • Serve as the lead coordinator for the College's annual giving program, including planning, implementing, and tracking fundraising campaigns and initiatives.

  • Coordinate multichannel fundraising efforts, including direct mail, digital communications, social media, and telemarketing.

  • Collaborate with College Marketing and Communications, University Advancement, and campus partners to coordinate campaign timelines, fundraising communications, and outreach strategies.

  • Prepare and coordinate fundraising proposals, donor communications, solicitation materials, and related correspondence.

  • Represent the College in annual giving meetings, activities, and initiatives.

  • Track campaign performance and fundraising results to support program assessment and improvement.

Donor Relations, Stewardship & Advancement Data

  • Coordinate donor stewardship, recognition, and engagement activities in collaboration with advancement staff.

  • Prepare donor acknowledgments, impact reports, stewardship communications, and personalized donor outreach.

  • Coordinate stewardship projects, communications, mailings, and donor recognition initiatives through completion.

  • Maintain donor, alumni, and prospect records in university advancement systems, including contact reports, proposals, and engagement activities.

  • Prepare donor research, prospect information, briefing materials, and reports to support fundraising and engagement strategies.

  • Assist with gift processing, gift agreements, acknowledgments, and other donor-related documentation.

  • Compile, organize, and analyze advancement data to support fundraising strategies, stewardship activities, and decision-making.

  • Support accurate data management and compliance with university policies and applicable privacy requirements.

Advancement Events & Alumni Engagement

  • Coordinate the planning, preparation, execution, and evaluation of development and alumni engagement events.

  • Manage event logistics, communications, registration, materials, guest hospitality, and follow-up activities.

  • Collaborate with advancement staff and campus partners to support donor, alumni, and student engagement initiatives.

  • Gather and organize information, coordinate outreach, and support engagement projects through completion.

Special Projects

  • Coordinate and support special projects, fundraising initiatives, and other duties that advance the College's philanthropic, alumni engagement, and strategic priorities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

  • Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to professionally engage with donors, alumni, and external constituents, build positive relationships, and represent the College with professionalism, discretion, and excellent customer service.

  • Strong organizational, administrative, and project coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, database management, and financial processes. Ability to organize and analyze information, coordinate projects and events, maintain confidential records, and collaborate effectively with internal and external constituents. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, adaptability, and commitment to accuracy and efficiency.

  • Excellent communication skills to communicate effectively and credibly, both verbally and in writing, with all audiences.

  • Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which would normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college program in Communications, Public Relations, or Marketing; up to six months of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in professional fundraising, public relations, marketing, previous advancement/philanthropy experience, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

  • Previous advancement/philanthropy experience

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

  • Cover Letter

  • Resume

  • Name and contact information for 3 References

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Bidding eligibility ends November 10, 2026 at 11:55 P.M.

How this job compares

Set against the 1,767 open Administrative Assistant jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 5, 2026.

Pay
  • This postingNot listed
  • US median$51–66K/yr224 salary ranges
  • US median$19–23/hr795 hourly ranges
Openings
Olive Jobs lists 43 open Administrative Assistant jobs in Michigan and 1,767 across the US. Under 1% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Michigan
Experience
Administrative Assistant postings that state a minimum ask for 2 years of experience at the median; the middle half ask for 1 to 3 years (899 postings).
Education
119 of the 1,767 open Administrative Assistant jobs (7%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 5, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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