Director of Development, Foundation Relations (Principal Professional)

University of Colorado•Colorado Springs, CO

7d•$103,497 - $108,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Executive Strategist for Major and Principal Gifts and working in close collaboration with the Office of Grants and Contracts (OGC) and the Office of Research Development and Strategy (ORDS), this full-time, University Staff (non-classified) Director of Development for Foundation Relations serves as the primary strategist, relationship manager, and hands-on fundraiser for a portfolio of foundation partners. The position personally drives and executes all aspects of foundation relations activity, including prospect identification, relationship cultivation, proposal development, solicitation strategy, stewardship, and funder engagement. Operating as the primary owner of foundation fundraising efforts, this role translates institutional priorities into compelling funding opportunities while building sustainable partnerships that increase philanthropic investment in support of CU Anschutz priorities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
Minimum of 3 years of professional fundraising experience or experience in related fields like nonprofit administration, public affairs, or business development, including managing funding relationships with individuals, corporations or foundations.
A combination of education and related technical/military/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis.
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.
National travel may be required for partnership development, fundraising events, and conferences.
This position requires flexibility in hours, including evenings and weekends for events and meetings.
Demonstrated ability to think strategically while personally executing operational and fundraising activities from concept through completion.
Proven success functioning as the primary owner of complex fundraising initiatives with minimal reliance on staff oversight or administrative delegation.
Strong project management skills with the ability to independently drive multiple priorities, deadlines, stakeholder relationships, and deliverables simultaneously.
Demonstrated ability to translate institutional priorities into actionable fundraising strategies and personally execute those strategies to achieve measurable outcomes.
Expert knowledge of foundation relationship building and gift management, including cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation.
Expert ability to communicate verbally and in writing and develop and maintain interpersonal relationships.
Strong ability to analyze information/situations and solve problems.
Solid knowledge of the funding landscape and giving climate for foundation partners.
Expert ability to organize and manage multiple projects/tasks simultaneously
Must have ability to work independently and collaboratively and adapt to changing priorities.
Solid experience in grant writing.
Proven ability to foster and build relationships internally and externally.

Nice To Haves

Extensive experience soliciting major gifts of at least $50,000 from foundation funders.
Experience coordinating large-scale projects that involve multiple partners and interests.
Demonstrated experience in securing 6-7 figure awards in both philanthropy and sponsored research
Seven (7) years of successful professional fundraising experience, or experience in related fields.
Project Management - Personal computer proficiency required, especially as related to Microsoft Office Products; MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; and donor tracking software.
Experience working in a higher education and/or medical campus environment and/or relevant experience working in a nonprofit environment as a fundraiser.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary relationship manager and strategic contact for a portfolio of significant local and regional foundations, personally cultivating, stewarding, and advancing relationships to maximize philanthropic investment.
Independently develop and execute comprehensive engagement plans that build robust partnerships with major foundation funders while expanding and diversifying institutional revenue opportunities.
Develop and implement comprehensive, tailored strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and long-term stewardship.
Develop and maintain a deep understanding and awareness of funding opportunities, institutional priorities, academic programs, and centers of excellence in order to translate these assets into compelling funding opportunities and align them with funders’ interests.
Personally conduct high-impact relationship-building activities through calls, visits, presentations, and strategic engagements that lead to strong, sustained partner relationships and proposal invitations.
Serve as a primary point of contact (and primary relationship manager) for organizations that wish to partner with CU Anschutz in meaningful ways, facilitating appropriate introductions and exchange of ideas and information that serve to advance campus priorities, as well as the interests of the prospective funder.
Partner with stewardship coordinators, faculty, OGC and ORDS staff and others, as necessary, to ensure timely and appropriate stewardship of current and previous institutional funders, consistent with the terms and reporting requirements of grant agreements as well as best practices.
Serve as the lead architect, writer, and project manager for significant foundation proposals, personally driving the development and submission of high-quality funding requests.
Independently develop, write and refine letters of intent, concept papers, proposals, and related fundraising materials, ensuring alignment with university polices and funder interests.
Maintain primary ownership and accountability for the timely and accurate completion of proposals, gift and grant agreements, stewardship, and report requirements.
Maintain accurate records in the university’s database, ensuring timely contact reports and entity updates.
Collaborate with OGC and ORDS on funder strategy, faculty engagement, proposal development, award negotiation, and compliance.
Personally identify, assess, and advance institutional funding opportunities by working closely with faculty, hospital relations staff, and campus leaders to align foundation interests with high-priority programs and initiatives.
Assist with other duties as assigned to support the team and institutional goals.