Executive Director, Foundation Relations (Hybrid schedule)

Job Summary :

Senior management and fundraising position within Alumni Relations and Development (ARD) reporting to the Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives.

Responsible for solicitation of independent and community foundations for Northwestern University. This senior position plays an integral role in conceiving, planning, and implementing the University's strategies for foundation prospects, including solicitations by faculty and senior administration.

Manages a team of front-line organizational fundraising officers. Devises and executes plans to qualify, cultivate, steward and solicit organizational donors.

Partners with senior ARD staff, deans and faculty to coordinate efforts and interfaces with campus leaders to develop philanthropic and fundraising strategies and prepares them for prospect meetings and solicitations

Specific Responsibilities :

Strategic Planning

• Gathers data, assesses leads, and develops strategies designed to realize the engagement potential of organization prospects
• Maintains consistent and appropriate contact
• Facilitates or develops proposals and ensures effective stewardship.
• Plans long-term engagement strategies for top foundation partners and priority needs at the University.

Collaboration

• Involves high level of collaboration with Alumni Relations and Development partners and substantial level of collaboration with partners across the University, particularly in the Office for Research, to identify and integrate resources to accomplish strategic goals and objectives.
• Plays a lead role in working with the President, Provost, deans, department chairs, and faculty in conceptualizing, evaluating, editing, and writing proposals to foundations.

Prospects & Gifts

• Identifies and solicits high-profile, and / or extremely complex major gifts and grants of $250k+ by managing a team pool of 200+ organizational prospects annually.
• Oversees the preparation of leadership briefings on key prospects and creation of descriptions of suggested funding opportunities that will lead to compelling proposals.
• Staffs University leaders on foundation business.
• Oversees continuous research, development and up-to-date knowledge on prospects, and works with other areas to coordinate contacts.
• Maintains stewardship and reporting systems that serve as an effective prologue for subsequent grants.

Events

• Arranges visits of leading foundation representatives to Northwestern; coordinates site visits involving lead administrators, faculty, and students; staffs these visits.
• Follows-up on visits to secure funding for proposed projects.

Administration

• Senior officer responsible for managing the University’s portfolio of private professional foundations.
• Manages senior fundraisers, provides leadership, determines and evaluates individual goals, develops and implements training and mentoring, and assigns and monitors coverage of primary areas of focus ensuring that goals and
• Works with and review proposal and award reports from the Office of Sponsored Research, to ensure all foundation funding is reported correctly.
• Reviews and ensures timely and correct project / prospect status reports.

Budget

Strategically manages a department budget ensuring to minimize expenses while maximizing return.

Supervisory

• Supervises 2 or more staff.
• Provides training to staff within or outside of immediate dept or division regarding function.
• Leads, coaches and evaluates performance of direct reports
• Completes other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications : (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree;

OR appropriate combination of education and experience.

• 10 years higher education, development, marketing, sales, or the equivalent experience is required.
• Considerable experience in foundation relations, other relevant experience at a college or university with a comprehensive development program or experience within a foundation as a program officer is required.

Minimum Competencies : (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Team leadership, ability to think strategically, analytically, and creatively. Complex problem solving and planning; global organizational perspective with knowledge of multiple academic units and / or specialized knowledge / experience in an academic field of study.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, prioritize projects, and meet deadlines.
• Must have excellent persuasive writing and oral communication skills.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $180,000-$200,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits :

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness :

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.

We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior / adult care. Visit us at to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development :

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at to learn more .

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness.

More information can be found on the webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations.

We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.