Senior Director, Foundation Relations - University Advancement

Washington University in St. Louis • St. Louis, MO

101d • $96,000 - $130,000

About The Position

The Senior Director is responsible for securing major gift level support from foundations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Washington University. The position raises funds for a diverse range of purposes including but not limited to research, facilities, programs, scholarship, and endowment with primary focus on the STEM departments, centers and initiatives. The successful candidate will be strategic, thoughtful and experienced in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of gifts and grants.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree.
• Relevant experience of 6 years.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in foundation relations or in development work that includes significant work with foundations and funding organizations.
• Direct experience and personal interaction with foundation officers in the exploratory, cultivation and solicitation stages.
• Demonstrated success in securing significant grants from foundations, including at the six- and seven-figure level.
• Academic experience or degree in STEM field.
• Experience and success in foundation and/or corporate relations fundraising for higher education.

Responsibilities

• Identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of foundations and philanthropic organizations.
• Engage in qualification, strategy, relationship building, and proposal development for gifts or grants at the $250,000-level and above.
• Work with faculty and fundraising colleagues to develop effective fundraising strategies that translate into successful proposals.
• Develop and implement innovative plans for enhancing stewardship of foundation donors.
• Provide timely reports of grants from foundations that have made philanthropic gifts to the University.
• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of the programs and research being conducted by faculty within the schools, departments, and units.
• Conduct regular meetings with faculty and academic staff to identify research and programs at the university that align with foundations’ funding interests.
• Serve as the department’s liaison to the Internal Selections Committee.
• Conduct regular meetings with UA colleagues in the philanthropic strategy vertical.
• Identify, secure, and attend meetings for leadership and faculty with foundation staff.
• Host campus visits by foundation representatives.
• Attend professional Corporate and Foundation Relations conferences.
• Oversee annual benchmarking of peer institutions’ funding from foundations.
• Document all work with prospects and funders into the constituent relationship management tracking system.

Benefits

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• Defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan with university contributions starting at 7%.
• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs, and courses.
• 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child.
• Tuition coverage for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years.

What This Job Offers

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