Director of Foundation Engagement

UMBC • Baltimore, MD

3d • $107,000 - $120,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Foundation Engagement serves as a strategic growth catalyst for UMBC, leading the strategy, expansion, and high-touch management of the university’s foundation partnerships portfolio. Reporting to the Senior Director of Corporate and Foundation Engagement, the role transforms academic vision into compelling philanthropic investments. The Director exercises decision-making authority over portfolio strategy, including cultivation pathways, proposal architecture, opportunity readiness, and direct-report performance. The position also secures high-value foundation investments, optimizes portfolio tracking, mentors staff, and advises deans, faculty, and university leaders.

The Office of Institutional Advancement leads fundraising and development initiatives in support of UMBC’s strategic priorities and goals. It engages and cultivates relationships with individuals, foundations, corporations, alumni, faculty, and colleagues, and is committed to thoughtful stewardship and strategically pursuing opportunities that support UMBC and its community.

This is a regular, full-time position. A hybrid telework schedule may be available. The position has a salary range of $107,000–$120,000, depending on qualifications and experience. A background check is required. Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume. The position is open until filled.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in nonprofit management, business administration, public administration, communications, English, marketing, higher education administration, research administration, or a related field.
• At least five years of progressive, successful fund development experience in foundation relations, grant development, sponsored programs, partnership development, or a closely related field.
• Experience managing relationships with foundation funders, program officers, or other external funding partners.
• Experience developing and coordinating letters of inquiry, proposals, and grant applications, including budgets and other required submission materials.
• Experience managing multiple concurrent grant deadlines and coordinating contributions from faculty, principal investigators, campus leaders, finance staff, and other stakeholders.
• Strong ability to synthesize complex academic, scientific, or social-impact research into clear, compelling philanthropic value propositions.
• Supervisory or lead-worker experience assigning work, setting priorities, and reviewing quality and timeliness.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in nonprofit management, public administration, business administration, higher education administration, research administration, philanthropy, communications, or a related field.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential.
• Grant Professional Certified (GPC) credential.
• Certificate in grant writing, fundraising management, nonprofit management, or research administration.
• Professional development in foundation relations, grant compliance, proposal development, or post-award reporting.
• Seven or more years of progressive, successful fund development experience in higher education.
• Experience managing renewal strategies, site visits, briefings, stewardship communications, and funder reporting.
• Experience managing a portfolio of active foundation partners and high-potential prospects.
• Experience working directly with deans, faculty, principal investigators, university research offices, and senior institutional leadership.
• Experience coordinating narrative and financial reporting for awarded grants.
• Experience supervising professional staff responsible for foundation outreach, proposal development, grant tracking, or reporting.
• Experience developing standardized grant workflows, proposal templates, review processes, reporting calendars, or internal accountability systems.
• Experience using Salesforce, Ellucian Advance, Blackbaud, grants-management software, or comparable CRM and tracking platforms.
• Familiarity with grant compliance, restricted funding, research-related proposals, and institutional approval processes.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and recommend foundation prospects and funding opportunities for prioritization based on strategic alignment, funder readiness, institutional capacity, and potential return on investment.
• Determine, execute, and adapt customized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for assigned foundation funders and high-value prospects.
• Serve as the primary contact for foundation program officers and executives, managing relationships from initial outreach through stewardship and multi-year renewals.
• Provide strategic guidance and coaching to faculty, principal investigators, and internal partners to improve foundation readiness.
• Oversee research, writing, submission, and tracking of proposals, letters of inquiry, and grant reports.
• Guide internal stakeholders in developing grant budgets for complex projects.
• Develop post-award communications, impact briefings, and progress reports to support stewardship and repeat or increased investments.
• Prepare for and conduct foundation site visits.
• Supervise the Assistant Director of Foundation Relations, assign priorities, establish performance standards, and evaluate work quality and timeliness.
• Direct the university’s foundation tracking system, metrics, and calendars to ensure deadline adherence and accurate reporting.
• Improve team workflows, prospect tracking systems, grant lifecycle protocols, and cross-departmental intake processes.
• Assess opportunities identified through research or shared by faculty and staff for alignment, and determine whether to assign or engage with them.

Benefits

• Over four weeks of vacation for regular full-time roles.
• Annual leave: 22 days accrued.
• Sick leave: 15 days accrued.
• 15 holidays.
• 3 personal days.
• Tuition remission of 8 credit hours per semester.
• Tuition remission at UMBC for eligible dependents after two years of full-time employment.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Retirement plans, including the option to join the pension plan.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Wellness opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director