Associate Director, Foundation Relations (Hybrid)

Department: Alumni Relations & Development
Salary/Grade: EXS/9

About Alumni Relations and Development

Alumni Relations and Development appreciates that the collective sum of our individual differences, experiences, knowledge, and self-expression is crucial for our success. We strongly invite candidates of all backgrounds to apply and to participate fully and authentically in our workplace.

We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet 100% of the preferred qualifications.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Alumni Relations and Development is committed to genuine inclusion. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Elizabeth Frisch at efrisch@northwestern.edu. Consistent with its obligations under the law, Northwestern will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential job responsibilities.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Executive Director of Foundation Relations, the Associate Director manages a portfolio of foundation relationships for long-term growth. This person will develop and implement strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward local and national private foundations to support University priorities. They will build collaborative relationships with faculty, program directors, and senior administrators to craft proposals, reports, briefings, and other complex documents.

Please note: An assessment involving editing a sample proposal will be part of the later stage of this interview.

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

• Communicates with faculty, school-level administrators, and others about ongoing and planned projects and funding needs.
• Analyzes foundation interests and assesses opportunities for matching these interests with University priorities and faculty research or programs.
• Creates and works within timelines and deadlines for proposal and document development according to foundation guidelines.

Collaboration

• Collaborates with other development staff, staff in research administration, senior administrators' offices, and others across schools and programs within assigned portfolio to ensure that proposals and other interactions with foundations conform to foundation requirements and best practices.
• Learns about strategic initiatives and shares with staff for foundation prospecting.

Proposal Development

• Helps develop organizational fundraising strategies that meet the priority needs of the University.
• Provides faculty and other leaders with guidance on appropriate strategy and framing for specific private foundation funding opportunities.
• Edits and writes letters of inquiry and proposals in collaboration with faculty and other staff, typically focusing on solicitations in the $100K - $1M range.
• Ensures that all guidelines and requirements for proposals are adhered to prior to formal submission to foundation.
• Provides input into and helps maintain master database of faculty foundation funding plans.

Events

• Arranges and staffs visits between foundation representatives and Northwestern faculty and leaders.
• Provides training and workshops or other outreach to inform faculty and staff about working with foundation relations and applying to private foundation funding opportunities.

Administration

• Serves as the point person for communication between Northwestern faculty and staff and foundation staff.
• Prepares contact reports and updates on all foundation related activities within areas of focus.
• Reviews and writes stewardship letters for senior administrators.
• With the development researcher and program assistant, tracks foundation activity and giving within their area(s) of focus.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 4 years' experience working in academic unit or industry or private foundation setting or other relevant experience is required.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Ability to think strategically, analytically, and creatively is required: ability to inquire about and listen to an organization's interests and needs, and then to understand and determine how to persuade or market to that organization with compelling benefits, in the case of companies.
• Big picture thinking.
• Excellent persuasive writing skills are required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate degree
• Experience providing global organization perspective with knowledge of multiple units and/or specialized knowledge/experience pursuing funding for academic field(s) of study.

The target budgeted salary for this position is $78,500 to $84,000 annually. Offers will be based on candidate experience and education, as well as equity within Northwestern University.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.