Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Foundation and Corporate Relations, the Director of Foundation Relations will manage a portfolio of key strategic areas across the University with a focus on top tier foundation prospects. The Director will cultivate broad knowledge and understanding of all University of Rochester divisions and be cross-trained and able to assist with Foundation Relations support of all divisions of the University.

Specific Responsibilites

• Formulate, execute, and manage a portfolio of multiple key priority areas (e.g., Engineering, Optics, Physics, some medicine) with a focus on science, engineering, research and community health.
• Build productive, lasting internal relationships with senior leadership and faculty to develop depth of understanding of priority programs and projects and strategic goals through in-depth discussions with key divisional and departmental leadership and faculty.
• Analyze all written programmatic materials, track internal press and other related materials, and perform web searches to gain an understanding of comparative national programs.
• Educate senior leadership and faculty on foundation funding trends. Initiate frequent contact with the appropriate departments to identify and coordinate Advancement client coverage.
• Utilizing state-of-the-art research engines like Foundation Search and Foundation Center Formulate, execute and maintain a thorough, effective, and ongoing foundation research program to identify new major prospects from local, regional and national sources, drawing upon central research services to complement and supplement research work done within the foundation office. Apply in-depth critical analysis to raw research data generated from Foundation Center or Foundation Search databases to uncover hidden opportunity and inform thoughtful planning.
• Follow-up with senior leadership and faculty with written analysis drawn from the research that describes prospects and includes detailed descriptions of potential for support including type of support, timing and nature of approach, plus analysis of internal programmatic strengths and weaknesses. From this, develop strategic cultivation and solicitation strategies that define next steps, which could include various types of foundation contact.
• Through discussion with senior leadership and on-going tracking of priority areas, develop and execute robust strategic and operational plans for cultivation and solicitation of top tier foundation prospects. Plans will focus on key priority areas with the goal of broadening the prospect pool, enhancing connections to the top prospects, and increasing the size of grants and gifts and overall foundation support to the University.
• Develop in-depth understanding of the plans, goals, relevance and national competitiveness of the proposed internal programs and projects seeking foundation support through focused interview style meetings with all key internal stake holders (e.g., faculty lead, associated department collaborators, ORPA, community collaborators).
• Manage coordination and development of all written materials associated with a foundation ask, including developing proposals, cover letters etc.
• Work with the Assistant Vice President for Foundation and Corporate Relations to coordinate the development, communication and coordination of all written materials for leadership signature (e.g., letters of support, cover letters) working through designated channels (e.g., Office for Presidential signature) ensuring the highest quality standards in all submissions.
• Manage individually and in cooperation with colleagues and support staff, and Advancement central services, tracking and updating internal data systems to capture strategies, contacts and results. Recruit, hire, train and manage direct reports as program develops.
• Work closely with the VP to implement and develop comprehensive Foundation Relations strategic and operational planning and infrastructure development.

Qualifications

• Strong desire to associate with the University of Rochester and champion its mission.
• Three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible experience and proven experience in foundation relations.
• Experience in a large scientific/health care research institution or an academic medical center is essential.
• A proven track record of solid relationship building both with internal and external constituencies.
• Sophisticated interpersonal skills; ability to engage and inspire support from diverse personalities; tactful, mature, and flexible.
• Strong management and administrative experience and ability to establish objectives, set performance standards, and organize a successful approach to achieving fundraising goals.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple, complex fundraising activities simultaneously under deadline pressure.
• Ability to function independently, yet work in a centralized development structure.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Enthusiasm for and ability to communicate the University of Rochester’s mission and programs with sincerity, persuasion, and passion.
• Outstanding writing skills, attentiveness to detail, and excellent analytical and critical skills.
• Must possess a positive attitude, a sense of humor and the ability to multi-task and work in a high project-volume environment.
• Must be willing and able to travel.
• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred.

The University of Rochester is one of the country’s top–tier research universities. The University consists of 158 buildings which house more than 200 academic majors, more than 2,000 faculty and instructional staff and over 9,300 students. The University is consistently ranked among the top colleges and universities nationwide in science, engineering, medical and other research.

The University is currently in the planning stages for the largest capital campaign in its history. An integrated central development operation is currently being created which will require the hiring of a significant number of development professionals in preparation for the campaign.