Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations

Wellesley•Wellesley, MA

1d•$155,000 - $160,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations leads Wellesley College’s fundraising from foundations and corporations. The Director serves as Development’s principal partner to the Provost, academic deans, and faculty, helping build compelling cases for external support of departmental and interdisciplinary priorities. This role manages a portfolio of foundation and corporate relationships, prepares the President and senior leaders for high-level funder engagement, and develops institutional grant proposals from early concept through submission while remaining involved through final reporting. As a member of the Deans and Development group, the Director stays informed about academic planning, identifies alignment between faculty and departmental work and funder interests, and helps colleagues develop collaborative projects. The Director also coordinates with the Office of Sponsored Research, Finance and Post Award Services, and other offices to ensure that new awards launch with shared understanding among faculty leads and administrative partners. The role requires an experienced grants professional who can advise academic leaders and write proposals that support institutional initiatives. The position is full-time and follows a collaborative hybrid schedule, normally with three days on campus and two remote, subject to business needs. Some travel and occasional evening and weekend commitments are required for partner meetings and site visits. The Director has no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
At least ten years of progressively responsible experience in foundation and corporate relations, grant writing, or a closely related area of advancement; higher education experience is preferred.
Demonstrated success securing six- and seven-figure grants, including collaborative proposals involving multiple departments or partners.
Experience working directly with faculty and academic leadership to develop externally funded projects.
Legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship now or in the future.
Exceptional writing and editing skills, including the ability to present academic work clearly and persuasively to funders.
Intellectual curiosity and interest in interdisciplinary work, with the ability to engage faculty and deans as a thoughtful colleague.
Strategic judgment in matching institutional priorities with funder interests and advising when an opportunity is not a good fit.
Skill in convening and facilitating groups across academic and administrative offices and supporting effective collaboration.
Ability to work independently and manage a full portfolio of applications, deadlines, and reporting requirements at once.
Working knowledge of grant budgets, cost sharing, and grant administration.
Experience preparing senior leaders for meetings with funders.
Proficiency with CRM and grants management systems such as Salesforce/Affinaquest and Workday, or comparable systems.
Sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential institutional and funder information.
Flexibility to meet essential in-person commitments; some travel and occasional evening and weekend commitments are required.

Nice To Haves

Experience in foundation and corporate relations, grant writing, or a related advancement area in higher education.

Responsibilities

Develop and carry out cultivation and solicitation strategies for a portfolio of foundation and corporate prospects, particularly national and regional foundations whose priorities align with Wellesley’s.
Write and submit letters of inquiry, concept papers, and full applications for institutional priorities; develop project budgets with faculty, academic administrators, and Finance.
Prepare and staff the President and senior leadership for meetings with foundation leaders, and ensure engagements are well planned and followed up.
Build and sustain relationships with foundation and corporate partners, including foundations with endowed funds at the College; plan site visits involving program officers, faculty, and students.
Identify new prospects with the Director of Research and Prospect Management, using funder announcements and peer networks; collaborate with gift officers to identify alumnae connections to foundations, including family foundations.
Serve as Development’s partner to the Provost and academic deans; participate in the Deans and Development group and stay informed about academic priorities and emerging initiatives with potential for external support.
Help faculty and departments with shared interests develop collaborative, institution-wide proposals with clear goals, budgets, and outcomes.
Contribute to institutional nominations and other competitive opportunities when requested by College leadership and when aligned with academic priorities.
Coordinate internal review of foundation and corporate proposals before submission, working with Finance and academic offices on budgets, matching requirements, and staffing implications.
Help launch new institutional awards by connecting principal investigators and faculty leads with Post Award Services and other administrative offices, clarifying requirements and processes.
Collaborate with donor stewardship colleagues on reports to foundation and corporate partners, contributing program context and knowledge of funder expectations.
Work with Gifts and Records and Post Award Services to ensure grants are accurately recorded in Affinaquest and Workday; serve on program teams for major grant-funded initiatives as appropriate.
Set annual goals for foundation and corporate support with the Assistant Vice President and Vice President, and use fundraising analytics to track and report progress.
Serve as a resource for College colleagues on foundation and corporate fundraising and maintain internal tracking that supports this work.
Share program language and information about academic priorities with Development colleagues, and assist with proposal development and editing for individual and family foundation asks.
Ensure foundation and corporate fundraising advances the College’s comprehensive campaign priorities, in coordination with Development campaign leadership.
Stay informed about institutional philanthropy trends and represent the College at professional meetings and conferences.

Benefits

Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Pre-tax saving benefits
Life insurance
Disability coverage
Free campus parking
Paid vacations, personal days, sick time, and holidays
Retirement savings plan with College contributions of up to 10.5% toward an eligible employee’s 403(b) plan
Hybrid work environment for select positions
Caregiving support through Wellthy
Legal plan insurance
Pet insurance discount
Retirement planning resources
Access to cultural and leisure activities in metro Boston
Continuing training and professional development
Tuition benefits
Resources to navigate student loan forgiveness
Free use of athletic and fitness facilities and onsite fitness classes
Library resources
Opportunities to attend campus events