Director of Development, Foundation and Corporate Relations

Columbia College Chicago • Chicago, IL

80d • $110,000 - $130,000

About The Position

Columbia College Chicago is an acclaimed undergraduate and graduate institution that provides a comprehensive education in the arts, communications, and public relations. We constantly aim to reach our full potential as an educational innovator, incubator of new creative practice and generator of real-world success for young creatives. We are in the heart of Chicago, across the street from historic Grant Park, and housed in some of the most iconic buildings in the South Loop. Columbia College Chicago is a private urban institution of approximately 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students, four-year College offering a distinctive curriculum that blends liberal arts, creative and media arts and business is currently searching for a Director of Development, Foundation and Corporate Relations. In collaboration with the Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations, the Director of Development, Foundation and Corporate Relations is responsible for growing philanthropic revenue from local and national foundations and corporations in support of all programs at Columbia College Chicago. This position will be responsible for developing and executing a strategy for foundation and corporate relations designed to build and strengthen partnerships, outreach, and engagement activities that advance the mission of Columbia. The Director will partner with faculty, staff, senior administrators, and volunteers to understand, interpret, and promote Columbia’s programs and initiatives. The Director will proactively identify Columbia’s needs and opportunities, help identify and research new foundation and corporate prospects, and partner and engage with faculty and colleagues across Columbia to direct and/or assist in program and proposal development, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies. The Director will develop compelling narratives, proposals, and other communications tailored to each funder and will maintain the annual grant and reporting calendar. Additionally, the Director will collaborate with colleagues to develop financial budgets and reports and will ensure that Columbia accurately tracks and reports against stated metrics for successful grants. Flex work options are available.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Five years of fundraising and/or foundation relations experience is required. Higher education experience is desired.
• Knowledge of higher education, creative industries, and the Chicago marketplace is preferred.
• Must be inclusive, collaborative, and demonstrate exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated record of revenue productivity and growth.
• Familiarity with customer/donor relationship management software.
• High level of integrity and trustworthiness, mature judgment in handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Commitment to the mission of Columbia College Chicago, and evidence of a commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth.
• Display sensitivity to issues of diversity, equity, belonging and inclusion.
• Ability to interact with high level corporate and foundation executives, alumni, volunteers, and college administrators in a professional manner that instills confidence in the college and its programs.
• Proven ability to proactively lead, offer opinions and direction, and operate with a sense of urgency, drive, and energy.
• Some travel required.
• Flexible to work extended hours including evenings and weekends, as necessary.

Nice To Haves

• Higher education experience is desired.
• Knowledge of higher education, creative industries, and the Chicago marketplace is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assess current and potential giving needs and opportunities and create a plan to maximize philanthropic support from foundations and corporations locally and nationally.
• Manage a portfolio of foundation and corporate prospects to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts and grants.
• Conduct prospect research, and devise and execute plans to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward institutional funders.
• Coordinate with faculty and staff to explore, synthesize, articulate, and prioritize ideas for foundation and corporate support, and develop written products (i.e., narratives, proposals, letters, reports, case materials, acknowledgments, etc.) that capture, and relay need and opportunity in compelling ways.
• Builds, networks and nurtures effective working relationships with senior management, deans, faculty, and staff to identify and prioritize funding needs.
• Communicate with and respond to corporate and foundation program officers as appropriate and ensure that all proposal and reporting requirements are met.
• Plan and implement effective outreach and cultivation activities to enhance new prospect identification and move solicitation and stewardship processes forward.
• Partner with faculty and staff to develop and coordinate cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts. Arrange meetings with foundation and corporate representatives and prepare senior leadership and colleagues for these meetings and other interactions with funders.
• Support the execution of department operations and processes, improving and coordinating procedures for optimized efficiency and productivity.
• Support department-wide communications initiatives and strategic planning processes and ensure execution of strategies, project management, timelines, and outcomes are met.
• Maintain department shared files and ensure best practices for maintaining complete and accurate documentation.
• Manage part-time support staff in grant writing and foundation and corporate prospect research.
• Assist in special initiatives, including cultivation of sponsors for the Gala and other signature events.
• Perform other related duties and/or responsibilities as assigned or required.

Benefits

• Affordable health, dental and vision coverage
• Flexible spending accounts
• Commuter benefit program
• Life and accidental death & dismemberment coverage
• Paid and unpaid leave options
• Work/life benefits
• Educational assistance programs
• Retirement and financial planning benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree