Senior Associate Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations

Full-time - Mid Level

Saint Louis, MO

Educational Services

About the position

The University of Missouri-St. Louis is seeking candidates for the Senior Associate Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations (CFR) position within the Division of University Advancement. This person will report to and work in close collaboration with the Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations in the Office of Development. This teammate will serve as the CFR team's primary contact for private foundations and secondary contact for corporations. The Senior Associate Director will lead cultivation of assigned private foundations and corporations, developing and stewarding relationships with community leaders, content experts, and decision makers. They will serve as the primary liaison between external organizations and campus representatives to identify mutually beneficial partnerships that will lead to significant investment in campus priorities such as education, capital projects, community building, social mobility, and other philanthropic opportunities to advance UMSL's mission, vision, and operational plan. The Senior Associate Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations will manage a portfolio of approximately 40-50 CFR donors and prospects and be responsible for achieving established annual performance goals for donor meetings, solicitations, and dollars raised.

Responsibilities

• Proactively research local, regional, and national private foundations, identifying funding opportunities relevant to University priorities.
• Work with College/Unit-based Advancement staff and University leadership to gain understanding of specific campus and unit priorities in order to proactively research, identify, solicit, and secure private funding.
• Prepare briefing materials for donor meetings for self, Director of Corporate Engagement, and campus leadership, including but not limited to the Chancellor, Vice Chancellors, AVC of Development, and Deans.
• Write and submit proposals seeking external funding, specifically targeting solicitation opportunities of $30,000 or more.
• Create and maintain an accurate calendar of dates important to Corporate & Foundation Relations including proposal submission and reporting deadlines, opportunities for thoughtful stewardship, campus events, etc.
• Manage electronic proposal submissions and other application/reporting processes for the Office of Development via various grant portals.
• Maintain relationships with foundations and organizations throughout the year or grant cycle, constantly sharing impact and potential.
• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations in strategizing and implementing a holistic model for CFR engagement.
• Periodically assist Development colleagues with proofreading proposals.
• Develop personal business plan and meet annual performance goals established with supervisor.
• Develop stewardship/engagement plan to progress donors through giving pipeline.
• Provide effective coordination of activities such as campus visits, site visits, and professional presentations and proposals.
• Report and track fundraising progress through the use contact reports, prospect and moves management plans, and other communication and planning tools in the CRM.
• Analyze data and pull reports to utilize for decision making.
• Maintain expert knowledge on gift documentation practices.
• Submit gift forms and agreements within established timeframes and ensure consistent accuracy.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 5 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired.

Nice-to-haves

• 5+ years of experience in corporate and/or foundation relations, grant writing, higher education fundraising, or related field.
• Proven track record of soliciting and closing major gifts in the five- and six-figure range, particularly with private foundations.
• Experience building moves management plans for donors, utilizing the standard donor lifecycle: identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Experience with common higher education gifts: scholarships, cash, charitable vs. research grants, endowments, multi-year pledges, etc.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, crafting persuasive and motivational proposals, letters of inquiry, grant applications, interim & annual reports, and stewardship materials.
• Develop and maintain a natural rapport with donors.
• Proven ability to grasp complex subjects and demonstrate attention to detail.
• Meet deadlines, solve difficult problems both collaboratively and independently, and be creative, analytical, and adaptable.
• Strong relationship management skills with both internal and external constituencies.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, good judgment, and the ability to take initiative and work in a team environment.
• Experience maintaining data management standards, including data confidentiality, activity entry requirements, and reporting tools.
• Navigate CRM tools and grant search engines such as Foundation Directory Online, Grant Station, etc.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrate and present a professional appearance and demeanor, with a commitment to customer service.
• A passion for UMSL's vision and mission.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans.
• Retirement.
• Paid time off.
• Short- and long-term disability.
• Paid parental leave.
• Paid caregiver leave.
• Educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses.