Director, Foundation & Corporate Relations

JOB PURPOSE

The Director, Foundation & Corporate Relations is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy to identify, cultivate and solicit philanthropic support at six and seven-level figures from foundations and corporations in support of the College’s fundraising priorities. The Director, Foundation & Corporate Relations defines goals and objectives for the Foundation and Corporate Relations program and develops and implements strategic approaches to engaging foundations and corporate donors with a special focus on major foundations and corporations and partners of the College that support Advancement and College objectives.

This position is also responsible for managing the Foundation & Corporate Relations team and working independently and collaboratively with faculty and staff across the College in pursuit of large-scale institutional gifts.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice President, Development, the Director, Foundation & Corporate Relations works independently and collaboratively to perform the following essential duties and responsibilities:

Plan, organize and execute a comprehensive institutional fundraising program focused on acquiring six- and seven-figure operating, capital and restricted contributions for the College on a continuing basis. Provide clear oversight of all department activities to achieve established goals.

Develop and maintain strong working relationships with a portfolio of national and international foundation and corporate prospects capable of providing philanthropic support at six- or seven-figure levels.

Serve as a key partner in convening stakeholders around a shared funding agenda, and engaging in a regular cycle of identification, qualification, cultivation and solicitation of corporate and foundation supporters:

• Develop written strategies and briefings for the College’s top foundation and corporate prospects to be shared with the College’s President, Vice President for Advancement, Assistant Vice President, Complex Assets, Legacy, and Principal Gifts, and Assistant Vice President, Development in coordination with Advancement colleagues.
• Identify and secure, and as assigned, attend meetings between College leadership with foundation and corporation board members and executives.

Working closely with the Assistant Vice President, Development, as well as other Advancement colleagues, develop a broad and deep understanding of current fundraising priorities across campus, as outlined by President, Vice President Academic Affairs & Dean of the College, and Academic and Research Associate Deans. Articulate institutional priorities as philanthropic propositions that align with organizational funders.

Meet regularly with Advancement and College leadership to prioritize funding opportunities and match prospective funding sources with institutional priorities.

Lead and implement the development of large-scale interdisciplinary proposals in close collaboration with Advancement leadership, Academic Affairs, sponsored research, department chairs, faculty, and other partners and stakeholders across College.

Write, edit, and submit letters of intent and full proposals for six- and seven-figure institutional contributions, and present relevant gift opportunities to foundation and corporate leaders in partnership with relevant College leadership, faculty, and staff. Represent and act on behalf of the College in meetings with foundations and corporations, with partners from the Claremont colleges, and in meetings with external collaborators (local, national, or international), community-based organizations, and collaborating non-governmental organizations, as appropriate.

Maintain a high-quality stewardship process for foundation and corporate relations in coordination with Office of Stewardship and Offices of Advancement Communications and College Events:

• Oversee and facilitate the distributed management of existing institutional grants, grant spending, and report submission, in collaboration with key stakeholders (e.g., academic deans, and faculty members, the Academic Dean’s Office, finance staff and other colleagues as appropriate.)

With support from the Assistant Director, Foundation & Corporate Relations, develop and deploy “self-help” resources and accompanying central services to define for faculty the roles and responsibilities of all involved in seeking organizational funding opportunities.

Serves on College committees and task forces as needed and assigned, including the Faculty Research Committee and the Center for Global Engagement Design Committee.

Collaborate with foundation and corporate relations colleagues across the liberal arts college community to stay current on best practices and trends in the field.

Plan and oversee the Office of Foundation an Corporate Relation’s budget in consultation with the Assistant Vice President, Complex Assets, Legacy and Principal Gifts and Chief of Staff and Advancement Operations.

Responsible for monitoring and evaluating direct reports, and overall department staff performance.

Maintain an efficient, collegial, and proactive work environment within the Foundation & Corporate Relations office and collaborating departments, ensuring the team’s completion of all staff trainings required by the College.

Support special projects and perform other tasks and duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a fund raising or writing field, a liberal arts or related field, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience required. An advanced degree and PhD is preferred.
• Licenses/Certificates: A valid driver’s license or equivalent means of reliable transportation to off-site meetings and events is required.
• A minimum of 5 to 7 years of direct experience with increasing responsibility in foundation and corporate relations with an increasing level of success and experience is required. At least 5 to 7 years of experience at an academic institution and service on a senior management team is highly preferred.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND CRITICAL SKILLS: This position must possess the knowledge, skills and abilities to be able to successfully perform the essential functions of the job or must be able to demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed (with or without reasonable accommodation) using other knowledge, skills and abilities not listed below:

Deploy professional skills in Foundation & Corporate Relations, in collaboration with colleagues, to best promote the College’s strategic interests:

• Must have experience with developing and writing funding proposals for foundations and corporations.
• Familiarity with the missions of the Claremont colleges.
• Excellent team building and leadership skills.
• Proactive, entrepreneurial skill set with a clear understanding of the liberal arts college and mission.

Must understand and communicate the mission and history of the College’s liberal arts environment.

Demonstrate effective, accurate and clear communication with excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, reading, and leadership skills to supervise, facilitate, motivate and inspire a highly diverse group of employees, student employees, temporary workers, contract employees, etc. Must also assist and communicate well with parents, students, alumni, volunteers, community partners, and other possible stakeholders.

Operate computers with basic Microsoft Office software (such as Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, and PowerPoint) and associated professional software (such as Salesforce CRM, Workday, Box, Tableau, Internet research tools, menu-driven databases, etc.). Demonstrate understanding of the use of technology/devices/equipment in assessing and improving division and department systems and processes to achieve annual goals and maintain confidentiality.

Handle all activities and highly confidential information with patience, discretion, good judgment, courtesy, and tact while working with people from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Prioritize and perform multiple projects, meet deadlines, respond to others in a timely manner, and work both independently and as a collaborative member of the College with a high standard of integrity and ethics, in support of the College’s strategic vision and the division’s as well as the department’s annual goals.

Use exceptional organizational and time management skills to complete work with accuracy and a keen attention to detail.

Operate the College’s vehicles safely for campus-related work and meet all insurance-related requirements.

REQUIRED HOURS: The regular hours for this full-time position are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday. Holiday, weekend, and evening work hours will be required. Travel will be required. Regular hours may vary due to needs of the College or division.

ADDITIONAL POSITION DETAILS: The rate for this role is between $140,000 - $165,000 with a competitive benefits package. The specific factors that the College will consider when offering a salary to an individual will include, but not be limited to: education, training, relevant prior experience, and performance in prior roles. All staff positions are ineligible for visa or permanent resident card sponsorship. As a California employer, Pomona College requires all employees to be residents of California.