JOB TITLE
Senior Director, Foundation Relations
LOCATION
Worcester
DEPARTMENT NAME
University Advancement - Fundraising
DIVISION NAME
Worcester Polytechnic Institute - WPI
JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
The Senior Director, Foundation Relations leads WPI's strategic engagement with private foundations and institutional funders, expanding philanthropic support for the university's academic programs, research initiatives, capital projects, and strategic priorities. This senior fundraiser cultivates and solicits foundation prospects, manages a portfolio of established foundation relationships, and develops comprehensive strategies to diversify and grow WPI's foundation funding base. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Advancement, the Senior Director supervises foundation relations staff, partners closely with faculty and academic leadership to identify fundable projects, and ensures WPI maximizes opportunities within the foundation funding landscape. This role is critical to leveraging WPI's new R1 research designation, completing the Beyond These Towers campaign, and building sustainable institutional support from foundations.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Foundation Fundraising & Portfolio Management
1. Manage a personal portfolio of 40-60 foundation prospects and donors with giving capacity of $50,000 to $2 million+
2. Conduct 60-80 meaningful interactions annually including foundation visits, proposal presentations, site visits, and relationship cultivation
3. Research, identify, and qualify new foundation prospects aligned with WPI's priorities in STEM education, research, student access, and institutional advancement
4. Develop comprehensive cultivation strategies for priority foundation relationships requiring multi-year engagement
5. Write compelling letters of inquiry, concept papers, and grant proposals that articulate WPI's distinctive mission and demonstrate project viability
6. Make solicitations for major foundation grants independently and in partnership with President, Provost, Deans, and faculty
7. Close at least $2-4 million annually in new foundation commitments across portfolio
8. Steward foundation donors through progress reports, impact communications, site visits, and relationship-building touchpoints
9. Manage grant deliverables and reporting requirements in partnership with faculty and Advancement Operations
10. Build relationships with foundation program officers, trustees, and staff to position WPI favorably
Strategic Foundation Program Development
11. Develop and implement comprehensive foundation relations strategy aligned with institutional priorities, campaign goals, and WPI's R1 research status
12. Identify emerging funding opportunities in WPI's areas of strength including robotics, data science, cybersecurity, materials science, biomedical engineering, project-based learning, and student access
13. Create strategic funding plans for major initiatives requiring foundation support (research centers, student programs, capital projects, endowed professorships)
14. Build foundation funding pipelines across academic departments and research centers
15. Conduct market analysis of foundation funding trends, emerging priorities, and competitive landscape
16. Position WPI strategically within foundation funding ecosystem, particularly leveraging R1 designation and distinctive project-based curriculum
17. Develop relationships with foundation affinity groups, regional associations, and funding collaboratives
18. Represent WPI at foundation conferences and networking events
19. Advise senior leadership on foundation funding opportunities and strategies
Faculty & Campus Partnership
20. Partner with faculty, researchers, Deans, and academic leadership to identify fundable projects and develop competitive proposals
21. Translate complex research and academic programs into compelling narratives that resonate with foundation priorities
22. Educate faculty on foundation funding processes, timelines, and relationship cultivation
23. Coordinate proposal development across multiple campus stakeholders ensuring alignment and excellence
24. Connect faculty with foundation program officers for relationship-building and project refinement
25. Support faculty in understanding foundation funding landscape and identifying appropriate prospects
26. Facilitate foundation site visits, connecting foundation representatives with students, faculty, and programs
27. Build trust with academic leaders as strategic fundraising partner who understands research and education funding
Team Leadership & Supervision
28. Directly supervise Foundation Relations Coordinator, providing strategic direction, coaching, and professional development
29. Delegate portfolio assignments and project responsibilities effectively
30. Establish clear performance expectations and accountability measures
31. Conduct regular one-on-ones and provide ongoing feedback
32. Build coordinator's skills in foundation research, proposal writing, and relationship management
33. Create systems and processes that enable efficient foundation relations operations
34. Model excellence in foundation fundraising and relationship stewardship
Operations & Collaboration
35. Maintain accurate records of all foundation interactions, proposals, and gifts in advancement database (Salesforce)
36. Track foundation pipeline, proposal submissions, pending requests, and outcomes
37. Generate reports on foundation fundraising performance and metrics
38. Partner with Advancement Operations on gift processing, grant administration, and compliance
39. Collaborate with Corporate Relations on foundations with corporate connections
40. Work with Communications on foundation-focused content and impact stories
41. Coordinate with Research Development Office (if separate) on research grant strategy
42. Participate in divisional planning and cross-functional initiatives
43. Performs all other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor.
Required
44. Bachelor's degree; Master's or terminal degree in relevant field preferred
45. 8-12 years of progressive foundation relations or institutional fundraising experience
46. Demonstrated success cultivating and securing foundation grants of $100,000+
47. Exceptional grant writing skills with portfolio of successful proposals
48. Deep understanding of foundation funding landscape, trends, and decision-making processes
49. Experience building relationships with foundation program officers and trustees
50. Strong research and prospect identification skills
51. Ability to understand and articulate complex academic programs and research in accessible language
52. Experience partnering with faculty and academic leadership on proposal development
53. Supervisory experience managing and developing professional staff
54. Strategic thinker who identifies opportunities and develops comprehensive funding plans
55. Excellent project management and organizational skills
56. Proficiency with foundation research databases (Foundation Directory, Candid/GuideStar, etc.)
57. Experience with CRM systems (Blackbaud/Raiser's Edge preferred)
58. Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills
59. Ability to work independently with strong initiative and follow-through
60. Willingness to travel regionally and nationally for foundation meetings (20-25%)
Preferred
61. Experience in higher education advancement, preferably at research universities
62. Knowledge of STEM research funding landscape and federal/foundation research ecosystems
63. Familiarity with R1 research universities and academic funding structures
64. Experience securing foundation support for capital projects, endowments, and institutional priorities beyond research grants
65. Understanding of private vs. family vs. community vs. corporate foundations and their distinct approaches
66. Track record building foundation programs from modest baseline to significant revenue stream
Salary Grade 12: $127,500 – $140,000 per year (depending on experience)
Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.
FLSA STATUS
United States of America (Exempt)
WPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. It seeks individuals from all backgrounds and experiences who will contribute to a culture of creativity, collaboration, inclusion, problem solving, innovation, high performance, and change making. It is committed to maintaining a campus environment free of harassment and discrimination.