Senior Director for Advancement for Foundation Relations

Hiring Department

Advancement

Job Description

The primary goal of the Foundation Relations team is to support the university's work – through faculty, staff, and research investigators – by securing charitable research grants and contract support for identified research priorities and programmatic themes of the institution. The Senior Director will work across the university and partner with constituency-based advancement officers, deans, department chairs, faculty, and staff to maximize gift and grant support. The Senior Director will manage a portfolio of foundation donors capable of investments at the major gift level.

Fundraising and Strategic Planning
· Manage a portfolio of top foundation prospects capable of making $50,000 and above gifts, developing a pipeline to meet increasing university needs/opportunities. Identify and cultivate new prospects to continue to grow the portfolio over time.
· Initiate appropriate personal cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities through various communication vehicles, including virtual and in-person meetings.
· Develop and implement donor-specific strategies to enhance relationships and increase support from foundations and philanthropic organizations. Guide university partners’ participation in these strategies.
· Oversee post-award activities, including tracking grant and reporting requirements, deadlines, and contacts in the Advancement CRM. Ensure reports are prepared and submitted on time.
· Perform comprehensive research on foundations and other nonprofit funders to identify prospects for university priorities and programs of strength.

Relationship Building
· Identify and build relationships with university administrators and faculty leading research and programs that match the philanthropic mission of major foundations.
· Establish and maintain relationships with foundations and organizations throughout the grant cycle and keep abreast of organizational changes related to mission and priorities, board members, and staffing.
· Establish and maintain strategic relationships with alumni, community members, and campus colleagues to strengthen and increase the University's ties to foundations.
· Collaborate with university partners in Sponsored Programs Administration, college/school research office team members, and others to support faculty and meet common goals of securing external support for the university.

Communication and Collaboration
• Plan and participate in prospect/donor activities, including meetings, special events, and campus visits. Prepare university faculty, staff, and administrators for participating roles at these meetings.
• Prepare and present materials to foundations. Develop, write, and edit competitive cases for support, letters of inquiry, proposals, interim reports, and stewardship materials.
• Collaborate with faculty and university administrators, encouraging their engagement in the philanthropic process and the grant cycle. Lead proposal development, stewardship and reporting, and strategy or prospect development meetings.
• Attend campus-wide development staff meetings, unit meetings, and team meetings, and represent the university and foundation relations team at meetings and functions when necessary.
• Suggest and oversee communications such as press releases, stories, and social media posts to steward foundation donors.

Shift

The University of Missouri provides employees with the flexibility to work regularly scheduled hours within established regular business hours of M-F 8-5; some nights, weekends, and travel are required. For the right candidate, a remote arrangement within driving distance from the Columbia campus may be considered (with a minimum of four trips to the Columbia, MO campus per year required).

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 6 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

Preferred Qualifications

• Higher education communications or fundraising experience is preferred.

• Knowledge of traditional and emerging foundations, fundraising techniques, and strategies.

• Intellectual depth, professionalism, and collaborative skills are required to gain the trust and confidence of both internal and external constituents.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the proven ability to produce compelling communication materials and present complex subjects clearly, concisely, and persuasively.

• Strong analytical skills with demonstrated ability to conduct research, analyze various reference materials, compile, evaluate, and disseminate data.

• Project management and organizational skills, with the proven ability to manage multiple, complex projects and relationships with initiative and independence.

• Demonstrated initiative and ability to work with minimal oversight, exercise sound judgment, and work effectively under pressure.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, donor databases, and grants databases such as Foundation Directory Online, Instrumental, Pivot, etc.

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary Range: $80k-$100k

Grade: GGS-013

University Title: Advancement Director III

Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Application Materials

Resume and Cover Letter

Other Information

Our benefits:

As one of Missouri’s largest employers, MU staff members enjoy exceptionally competitive health, PTO and retirement plans.

A few highlights:
• Health Insurance -Three plans to choose from, including our Custom Network Plan; a cost-effective insurance option that utilizes our extensive network of MU-affiliated hospitals, clinics and pharmacies.
• HSA - UM provides between $400 - $1200 in contributions to health savings accounts, depending on plans and dependents
• Dental - 100% coverage for preventative care, with no restrictions on network or non-network providers
• Vision - $0 copays on frames and contact lenses along with a $140 allowance, and a $10 copay on yearly eye exams.
• Retirement - UM will match 100% of up to 8% of eligible pay contributed to a 457(b), with a three-year vesting period on University contributions.
• Tuition Assistance - Up to 75% of tuition and supplemental fees waived for employees, and 50% waived for spouses and dependents
• Time Off – Personal time off (PTO) as well as 9 paid holidays.
• Winter Break - The university observes a paid holiday for the period between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person’s success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research, and engagement. This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.
In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research, and engagement.

Community Information

Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours’ drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County’s largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen cultural festivals each year. If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits .

Values Commitment

We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person’s success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement. This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.

In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research, and engagement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visit https://www.umsystem.edu/ums/hr/eeo or call the Director of Employee and Labor Relations at 573-882-2146.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.

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