Working/Functional Title

Philanthropic Agreement Strategist

Position Summary

Serves as a subject matter expert to University Development staff in the creation, review, and evaluation of documentation for new and revised gift agreements, including the review of donor intent and the legal, financial, and administrative obligations incumbent upon the university. With support from the Office of the General Counsel and university partners, reviews and provides guidance to development directors on specific language to address complicated and unusual circumstances.  Supports in the maintenance of the endowment management system and maintains agreement storage across multiple platforms.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

- Creates documents in compliance with approved legal language and boilerplates; Prioritizes, gathers, screens, and relays sensitive information received from University donors, executives, trustees, faculty, and staff; Develops and maintains positive relationships with various offices on- and off-campus.

- Establishes and maintains operating practices relevant to endowment tracking, maintaining donor confidentiality and discretion when communicating sensitive information; Interprets University and unit policy, protocol, and administrative procedures in response to inquiries and initiates necessary action.

- Assembles and analyzes reports, gathering pertinent information for endowment processing and tracking; Compiles and analyzes information to produce and assist with departmental reports; Compiles and analyzes data and reports and provides administrative support for projects; Monitors the integrity of the endowment data stored within University Advancement database.

- Conducts training to support and administrative professional staff on the policy, procedures, and protocol for endowment processing; Serves as backup to other support staff when needed.

- Special projects and other duties as assigned.

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; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in professional fundraising, public relations, marketing, higher education fundraising or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

One to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in office management including developing reports utilizing work processing, database, and spreadsheet software. One to three years of experience providing executive level support including, but not limited to, confidential office protocol. Experience in drafting or reviewing legal/contractual documents in higher education or nonprofit setting. Familiarity with UPMIFA and endowment management principles.

Strong technical abilities and excellent grammatical skills. Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills, and an ability to exercise sound judgment. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality, multi-task, and balance and prioritize multiple projects. Experience in Ascend, AdobeSign, and SharePoint. 

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? For questions, contact Patricia Karam, Director of Talent Acquisition, at karampat@msu.edu.

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Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

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 June 23, 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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