"Associate Director, Corporate and Foundations Relations"

Overview

Reporting to the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations and working in close coordination with the University Director for Corporate and Foundation Relations as well as Yale leadership and faculty, the Associate Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations helps position Yale as a leading institution for funding of its institutional priorities and academic initiatives. Wide ranging responsibilities include working with the Director to manage corporate and foundation fundraising across Yale schools and units as well as collaborating with lead development officers for the schools and units on grant-seeking from foundations and corporations. The Associate Director helps secure foundation and corporate support in the form of research and programmatic grants and other philanthropic giving.

More specifically, the essential duties include:

1. Work with the Corporate and Foundation Relations team to identify, cultivate, solicit, and secure foundation and corporate support for the institutional priorities in the areas described above, as defined by University leadership and relevant faculty.
2. With unit leadership, manage and steward the University’s relationship with key foundation and corporate funders to ensure strong ties and increasing support. Build partnerships that benefit the University in key areas identified as institutional priorities.
3. Assist in developing and implementing cultivation strategies and methods for foundation and corporate prospects, including effectively coordinating activities such as campus visits, site visits, and travel to relevant sites.
4. Work with Yale leadership, faculty, and staff to communicate and engage with foundations and corporations around university priorities and academic initiatives as well as those areas of greatest intersection with funders’ priorities.
5. With direction from the Director and University Director, develop and maintain effective partnerships across the campus, including in individual giving, academic and financial administration, and faculty leadership. Meet as needed with key administrative and academic leaders to ensure adequate communication and coordination.
6. Work with colleagues in Corporate and Foundation Relations and Gift and Records Services to develop and implement efficient systems for tracking grant proposals, payments, and reports.
7. Work with colleagues in Prospect Development to build prospecting procedures and identify potential foundation and corporate prospects and donors.
8. Be an effective partner in support of a communications program that helps to engage and steward foundation and corporate partners.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Deep understanding of research in academic settings; excellent written and oral communication skills and exceptional organizational abilities.
2. Ability to work independently and to juggle multiple projects and deadlines; a self-starter with a high level of integrity and the ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise discretion.
3. Ability to work regularly and effectively with Yale academic and administrative leadership and faculty, and with other senior members of the schools and units. Commitment to an inclusive workplace.
4. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to relate to donors, volunteers, and colleagues as well as University leadership. Professionalism, maturity, good judgment, and an ability to work well in a team environment.
5. Knowledge of university organization and academic and administrative policies and procedures. Knowledge of foundation philanthropy and priorities. Knowledge and proficiency in fundraising strategies and techniques.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

Advanced degree. Five or more years of prior experience in foundation and corporate fundraising in an academic or research setting desirable.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Identifies, cultivates and solicits Yale alumni/alumnae and friends who are capable of making gifts to the University. Meets assigned activity and revenue goals.
2. Devises and implements cultivation and solicitation strategies. Evaluates various gift opportunities and giving vehicles; recommends the most suitable for a particular donor. Develops, writes and presents proposals in keeping with university needs and in line with donor's interest and financial situation.
3. Initiates and maintains contact with current, past, and prospective donors, promoting positive donor relations. Engages volunteers proactively as needed. Determines and executes events and programs in support of development activities, assessing the success of such events/programs and recommending changes. Identifies disaffected or disinterested donors and devises strategies to encourage/redirect their interests as appropriate.
4. Interacts with internal contacts such as deans, directors, faculty, officers and other Development staff to consult on University needs, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies, and potential donors. Keeps abreast of University events and disseminates University information to donors, prospective donors, volunteers and team members as appropriate.
5. Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree required, a minimum of two years of fundraising experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Job title and level will be commensurate with experience.