Director of Institutional Partnerships
About The Position
The Director of Institutional Partnerships is a senior leadership position within the Advancement Department responsible for leading the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s institutional fundraising strategy with a primary focus on foundation, corporate, and public-sector philanthropy. Reporting to the Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer, the Director will cultivate, secure, and steward institutional investments that advance the organization’s mission, strategic priorities, capital projects, environmental initiatives, and community programs. The Director will oversee all aspects of institutional giving, including prospect development, relationship management, grant strategy, proposal development, stewardship, and reporting. This role will also support organizational government relations efforts by helping strengthen relationships with elected officials, public agencies, and regional stakeholders connected to public funding and advocacy priorities. This position requires a strategic and collaborative leader with exceptional communication skills, strong fundraising experience, and the ability to build meaningful partnerships that elevate the impact and visibility of the Conservancy throughout the region.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, public administration, business, marketing, political science, or a related field required; equivalent experience may be considered.
- Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in institutional fundraising, philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, or related fields.
- Demonstrated success securing foundation, corporate, and government grants and sponsorships, including gifts of $10,000+.
- Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with institutional funders, corporate partners, and public-sector stakeholders.
- Strong experience writing grant proposals, reports, and institutional communications materials.
- Experience managing grants systems, donor databases, and CRM platforms; Raiser’s Edge experience preferred.
- Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong strategic thinking, project management, and organizational leadership skills.
- Experience supervising staff and managing collaborative projects across departments.
Responsibilities
- Lead and implement a comprehensive strategy for foundation, corporate, and government fundraising.
- Manage and grow a portfolio of institutional funders and strategic partners to meet and exceed annual fundraising goals.
- Cultivate, solicit, and steward institutional gifts and sponsorships in support of organizational priorities and strategic initiatives.
- Identify and pursue new funding opportunities aligned with PPC programs, capital projects, and operational needs.
- Oversee the development of grant proposals, reports, budgets, presentations, and other institutional communications materials.
- Manage institutional grants systems and processes, including grant calendars, reporting deadlines, stewardship activities, and CRM tracking.
- Collaborate with programmatic and finance staff to ensure strong proposal development, compliance, and impact reporting.
- Support sponsorship fulfillment, donor engagement opportunities, and institutional partner visibility across programs and events.
- Prepare executive leadership for meetings and presentations with institutional funders and partners.
- Support the organization’s government relations strategy related to public funding opportunities and strategic partnerships.
- Help maintain relationships with elected officials, public agencies, and regional stakeholders at the local, state, and federal levels.
- Assist leadership with advocacy efforts, public funding initiatives, and government grant opportunities connected to organizational priorities.
- Coordinate site visits, tours, announcements, and events involving institutional and government partners.
- Collaborate on strategies related to public funding sources including the Parks Tax, Regional Asset District, state appropriations, and federal grants.
- Supervise institutional giving staff, consultants, and external grant support resources.
- Foster a collaborative, high-performing culture focused on strategic growth and relationship management.
- Collaborate with Advancement leadership on departmental goals, fundraising strategy, and organizational priorities.
- Assist with departmental budgeting and institutional revenue forecasting.
- Pursue innovative opportunities and best practices in institutional fundraising and partnership development.
Benefits
- Medical coverage through an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA)
- Employer-paid dental and vision insurance
- Retirement plan with an employer match of up to 8%
- Employer-paid life insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability coverage
- Generous paid time off and paid holidays
- Paid parental, bereavement, and other applicable leave
- Professional development opportunities
- A flexible work environment with opportunities for hybrid work, based on position responsibilities and organizational needs
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
