Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations (Hybrid)

Full-time - Director

Mansfield, CT

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations

About the position

The Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at the University of Connecticut Foundation is responsible for building and advancing partnerships with the corporate community to secure philanthropic funding and support for various academic units. This role focuses on managing a portfolio of high-value prospects, developing corporate partnerships, and collaborating with university leadership to align corporate engagement with the university's strategic priorities. The position emphasizes relationship-building, strategic solicitation, and leadership in fundraising efforts to support the university's mission and initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Manage a prospect portfolio of 125-150 prospects rated at $100k+.
• Raise $1-5M per year.
• Conduct 10-15 qualification meetings at the $100k+ level; 15+ solicitations at the $100K level; and 80-90 face-to-face, meaningful meetings per year.
• Manage corporate activities including prospect identification, cultivation, program/proposal development, solicitation and stewardship that will lead to securing major ($100,000 and leadership level ($1,000,000+) gifts.
• Develop and manage new corporate partnerships to fund and grow the University's priorities and initiatives.
• Partner with University leadership and institute directors to identify strategic partnerships with corporations.
• Develop and execute solicitation strategies with multiple stakeholders and steward relationships with corporate decision makers, foundation/corporate giving representatives, UConn faculty, administrators, staff, and alumni.
• Create strategic action plans for the best prospects to deepen relationships that lead to increased comprehensive partnerships.
• Establish working relationships with key faculty and staff to generate additional corporate and foundation support.
• Collaborate with Assistant Vice President policies and projects to position CFR for fundraising success.
• Collaborate closely with donors, volunteers, and University leaders to identify new prospects.
• Perform administrative duties related to advancement work including documenting activity, writing proposals, and adhering to Foundation policies.
• Contribute to the overall productivity and efficiency of the Division/Department's development staff by meeting or exceeding goals in a metrics-driven environment.
• Develop and support clearly defined and strategic fundraising priorities within the campaign and articulate compelling cases to advance these priorities.
• Model and articulate the Foundation's organizational core values at all times.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years of experience as a major gift fundraiser for corporate and foundation relations and/or relevant transferable skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, tact, and diplomacy.
• Ability to build productive relationships with a broad range of constituencies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with CRMs (Blackbaud) and information management tools.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and track details in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to engender trust and confidence of donors and maintain confidentiality of donor information.
• Willingness to travel extensively and possess a valid driver's license.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in higher education fundraising.
• Knowledge of corporate philanthropy trends and practices.
• Experience in developing strategic partnerships with corporations.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans starting from day one.
• Annual contribution to health savings account for high-deductible health plan enrollees.
• Generous contribution to 403(b) retirement plan.
• Emphasis on work/life balance with a hybrid schedule.
• Thirteen paid holidays and five weeks of paid time off per calendar year.
• Tuition reimbursement after one year of employment.