"Senior Director, Foundation Relations - University Advancement"

Position Summary

The Senior Director is responsible for securing major gift level support from foundations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Washington University. The position raises funds for a diverse range of purposes including but not limited to research, facilities, programs, scholarship, and endowment with primary focus on the STEM departments, centers and initiatives. The successful candidate will be strategic, thoughtful and experienced in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of gifts and grants.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Fundraising: Identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of foundations and philanthropic organizations.

• Engage in qualification, strategy, relationship building, and proposal development for gifts or grants at the $250,000-level and above.
• Work with faculty and fundraising colleagues to develop effective fundraising strategies that translate into successful proposals. May include being the primary writer on a grant or gift.
• Develop and implement innovative plans for enhancing stewardship of foundation donors. Provide timely reports of grants from foundations that have made philanthropic gifts to the University.

University Knowledge and Partnerships.

• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of the programs and research being conducted by faculty within the schools, departments, and units for which he/she is the staff liaison, including the STEM departments, centers and institutes of the Danforth Campus.
• Conduct regular meetings with faculty and academic staff to identify research and programs at the university that align with foundations’ funding interests.
• Serve as the department’s liaison to the Internal Selections Committee.
• Conduct regular meetings with UA colleagues in the philanthropic strategy vertical whose roles align with liaison responsibilities.
• Identify, secure, and attend meetings for leadership and faculty with foundation staff. Host campus visits by foundation representatives. Attend professional Corporate and Foundation Relations conferences.
• With the Assistant Director, oversee annual benchmarking of peer institutions’ funding from foundations.
• Responsibly document all work with prospects and funders into the constituent relationship management tracking system in a timely manner in accordance with the policies and procedures of University Advancement.
• Provide other duties as assigned

Working Conditions:

Job Location/Working Conditions

• Flexibility and ability to work outside of the normal workday/office hours including evenings and weekends.
• Normal office environment.
• Ability to travel to various on- and off-campus locations.

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at a desk or table
• Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement
• Occasional lifting (25 – 50 lbs.)

Equipment

• Office equipment

Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree

Work Experience: Relevant Experience (6 Years)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in foundation relations or in development work that includes significant work with foundations and funding organizations.
• Direct experience and personal interaction with foundation officers in the exploratory, cultivation and solicitation stages.
• Demonstrated success in playing a lead or highly active role in securing significant grants from foundations, including at the six- and seven-figure level.
• Academic experience or degree in STEM field.
• Experience and success in foundation and/or corporate relations fundraising for higher education.
• Facility in relaying detailed instructions and providing feedback.
• Understanding of, appreciation for, and ability to successfully navigate a complex academic environment.

Education: Master's degree

This position is located in St. Louis, MO and the targeted hiring range for this position is $96,000 - $130,000.

Salary Range

$96,000.00 - $169,300.00 / Annually