Senior Director of Development, Corporate and Foundation Relations

Georgia State University•Atlanta, GA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

University Advancement is seeking a Senior Director of Development, Corporate and Foundation Relations. The Senior Director of Development, Corporate and Foundation Relations will be a key member of a growing CFR team. Our goal is to secure transformational grant funding from foundation and corporate partners to advance the mission of Georgia State. In this role, you will have the deeply rewarding experience of building authentic relationships with foundation program officers, directors, executives, and other key leaders at foundations and companies in Atlanta and around the world. You will represent GSU and articulate its top priorities and funding needs. Your critical thinking and strategic mind will allow you to gain a deep understanding of funders’ priorities and find alignment with the university’s. Your expert communication and active listening skills will allow you to craft powerful written materials; give presentations; find commonality; generate goodwill; express gratitude; and create enduring partnerships. Together, we will secure major philanthropic support for GSU priorities, from research to scholarships to innovative programs to capital funding, and much more. As an R1 research university, Georgia State has more than doubled its research expenditures in recent years, growing from just over $91 million in 2012 to over $186 million in 2024. There is great potential to attract more foundation and corporate research funding. The success of our over 57,000 students has always been our top priority. In its 2026 edition of Best Colleges, U.S. News & World Report ranked Georgia State University as the top public university for Undergraduate Teaching for the sixth straight year. Georgia State has been among the nation’s top five Most Innovative public universities for the past 11 years. For the seventh year in a row Georgia State ranked among the country’s top 10 universities (No. 2 among public universities) for its First-Year Experiences. U.S. News also ranked Georgia State No. 17 for Social Mobility. GSU is in a tremendous era of revitalization and expansion at all six of its campuses. The $100 million GSU Research Tower will open this year; revitalized green spaces and quads are in the works; and several other major capital projects are underway. These spaces create a vibrant campus environment; enhance the university’s capacity for discovery and learning; and strengthen its role in driving economic growth and job creation. GSU contributed $3.222 billion to Georgia’s economy in fiscal year 2024. Watch President M. Brian Blake’s 2026 State of the University to hear more about GSU’s momentum and vision.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and two years of superior experience with gifts of $50,000 or more; or a combination of education and related experience.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
A collaborative, team-oriented style that emphasizes shared wins over individual credit
Strong intrinsic motivation and a commitment to excellence
The highest levels of integrity and discretion
Exceptional interpersonal skills

Nice To Haves

Well-connected with foundation and corporate donors locally, regionally, and nationally
Track record of securing grants in the high six-figures, seven-figure or above
Deep understanding of the unique qualities and needs of foundation vs corporate donors and how to tailor strategies accordingly
Successful experience working with top executives
Supervisory experience and a commitment to mentoring others
Actively contributes to our positive team culture
Empowers and mentors colleagues
Adaptable and flexible in a dynamic environment

Responsibilities

Create and implement fundraising strategies in collaboration with faculty, staff, and university leadership, and translate these strategies into successful proposals
Focus on proposal opportunities of at least $250,000+ and contribute to meeting a collective team goal of at least $15 million annually
Write/edit compelling proposals, budgets, and supporting materials
Develop a comprehensive understanding of GSU priorities as outlined by our Strategic Plan: Blueprint to 2033, as well as the specific priorities of a subset of schools and units
Manage a portfolio of foundations, companies, and other philanthropic entities and continually discover and qualify additional prospects
Secure and attend frequent meetings with foundation and corporate executives and program officers
Establish strong relationships with faculty and staff colleagues; respond to faculty and staff requests for strategic funding support
For corporate relations, collaborate with other corporate-facing teams across camps to ensure holistic partnerships that may include elements such as internships, recruiting, IP, scholarships, event sponsorships, and more.
Build authentic relationships with colleagues at foundations and companies
Ensure that donors feel deeply appreciated and valued by developing innovative stewardship plans
Collaborate on grant impact reports and ensure timely submission
Arrange campus visits for foundation/corporate staff and brief key university leaders
Monitor philanthropy and business news and trends and advise colleagues and senior leadership on best practices in corporate and foundation relations
Conduct prospect research to continuously uncover new opportunities
Utilize Salesforce Ascend CRM and collaborate with Advancement colleagues to review and document grant agreements
Supervise and mentor a Director of Development and Grants Manager, and oversee projects with student assistants and volunteers
Demonstrate leadership and build community by participating in internal/external committees, task forces, service and team-building, boards, professional associations, etc.
Contribute to GSU’s success by completing other special projects and duties as assigned