Director, Corporate and Foundation Giving

Job Description Summary

Bentley University has retained Boyden to lead the search efforts for this position. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to Lisa Vuona directly at [email protected] and reference “Bentley University” in the subject line.
This position is charged with growing the current corporate and foundation giving program at Bentley University, including planning and implementing giving strategies designed to maximize corporate and foundation philanthropic support for Bentley University to meet the university’s current priorities. The position serves as a liaison between corporations/foundations and the university to identify mutual interests to develop partnerships that will result in significant philanthropic support. The role is expected to maintain a robust schedule of donor and prospect meetings for qualifying, cultivating and soliciting, and stewardship major corporate and foundation prospects and donors. This position works closely with other departments within the division of University Advancement as well as with faculty and program directors/managers across campus. This person will have a firm understanding of the corporate and foundation landscape in higher education, particularly in the Boston region. This position is ideal for an experienced and dynamic fundraiser with exception writing and verbal communication skills, as well as a passion for building relationships.

Essential Duties

• Create and execute on a comprehensive strategic corporate and foundation giving plan.
• Develop and manage a portfolio of 75-100 corporate and foundation prospects.
• Effectively present the case for engagement and philanthropy to prospects.
• Increase profile of corporate and foundation giving program across the university.
• Significantly increase the number of corporate and foundation prospects and donors to build a sustained pipeline of giving over time.
• Create and maintain strategies for corporation and foundation gifts of at least $50,000.
• Maintain and establish new relationships with corporate and foundation partners.
• Partner with key faculty to  identify funding opportunities, create strategies and develop proposals.
• Serve as the University Advancement Liaison to Sponsored Programs, Executive Education, the Center for Women and Business and the Pulsifer Career Development teams.
• Partner with Leadership Giving Officers to maximize prospect and donor relationships that will result in corporate and foundations support.
• Interface with senior leaders within Bentley University and corporate and foundation partners.
• Develop and write letters of inquiry, proposals complete with budgets, and progress reports.
• Partner with deans, faculty and staff to match institutional funding opportunities with funders’ giving priorities.
• Develop and articulate a deep knowledge of the culture at Bentley University; its history and mission and current strategic vision; academic, co-curricular and athletic programs; its faculty, students and administration.
• Meet departmental standards, policies and procedures with respect to all aspects of the position.
• 10% travel required.
• Evening and weekend hours required occasionally

Other Duties

• Create, file and maintain timely, accurate and thorough contact reports and other productivity reports.
• Work with Donor Relations team on acknowledgments and other stewardship materials.
• Attend university and external functions as recommended. Serve on committees as appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Candidate will have 7-10 years of corporate and/or foundation fundraising or closely related experience with an emphasis on relationship cultivation and closing negotiations. Experience in higher education, academic medical centers or other large non-profits is preferred. A valid US driver’s license and the ability to travel are required.
• General knowledge of fundraising practices, procedures, and current trends in corporate and foundation fundraising.
• Ability to deliver a strong entrepreneurial approach to fundraising, including demonstrated ability to look at external opportunities that can be matched with internal needs of the university.
• Excellent judgement and tact with working with university administrators, faculty, staff and corporate and foundation officers. Excellent written communications skills, including demonstrated writing and editing skills in preparing proposals and related correspondence.
• Excellent verbal communication, public speaking and relationship building skills, including the ability to interact with people at all levels of an organization, in-person and on remote video platforms, such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
• Excellent organizational skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple demands and projects simultaneously, think creatively and solve problems.
• Ability to partner with others and work in a team environment.
• Intermediate command of Microsoft 365, including Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Experience with CRM-type database.

Work Environment

• At the time of this posting, the position works within a hybrid schedule between remote and on-campus.
• Office/home environment with a significant amount of time working on a computer and on the phone.
• Travel may occur outside of standard business hours including nights and weekends.

Bentley University requires references checks and may conduct other pre-employment screening.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Bentley University strives to create a campus community that welcomes the exchange of ideas, and fosters a culture that values differences and views them as a strength in our community.

Bentley University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, building strength through diversity. The University is committed to building a community of talented students, faculty and staff who reflect the diversity of global business. We strongly encourage applications from persons from underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, covered veterans and those with diverse experiences and backgrounds.

Job Description Summary

Bentley University has retained Boyden to lead the search efforts for this position. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to Lisa Vuona directly at [email protected] and reference “Bentley University” in the subject line.
This position is charged with growing the current corporate and foundation giving program at Bentley University, including planning and implementing giving strategies designed to maximize corporate and foundation philanthropic support for Bentley University to meet the university’s current priorities. The position serves as a liaison between corporations/foundations and the university to identify mutual interests to develop partnerships that will result in significant philanthropic support. The role is expected to maintain a robust schedule of donor and prospect meetings for qualifying, cultivating and soliciting, and stewardship major corporate and foundation prospects and donors. This position works closely with other departments within the division of University Advancement as well as with faculty and program directors/managers across campus. This person will have a firm understanding of the corporate and foundation landscape in higher education, particularly in the Boston region. This position is ideal for an experienced and dynamic fundraiser with exception writing and verbal communication skills, as well as a passion for building relationships.

Essential Duties

• Create and execute on a comprehensive strategic corporate and foundation giving plan.
• Develop and manage a portfolio of 75-100 corporate and foundation prospects.
• Effectively present the case for engagement and philanthropy to prospects.
• Increase profile of corporate and foundation giving program across the university.
• Significantly increase the number of corporate and foundation prospects and donors to build a sustained pipeline of giving over time.
• Create and maintain strategies for corporation and foundation gifts of at least $50,000.
• Maintain and establish new relationships with corporate and foundation partners.
• Partner with key faculty to  identify funding opportunities, create strategies and develop proposals.
• Serve as the University Advancement Liaison to Sponsored Programs, Executive Education, the Center for Women and Business and the Pulsifer Career Development teams.
• Partner with Leadership Giving Officers to maximize prospect and donor relationships that will result in corporate and foundations support.
• Interface with senior leaders within Bentley University and corporate and foundation partners.
• Develop and write letters of inquiry, proposals complete with budgets, and progress reports.
• Partner with deans, faculty and staff to match institutional funding opportunities with funders’ giving priorities.
• Develop and articulate a deep knowledge of the culture at Bentley University; its history and mission and current strategic vision; academic, co-curricular and athletic programs; its faculty, students and administration.
• Meet departmental standards, policies and procedures with respect to all aspects of the position.
• 10% travel required.
• Evening and weekend hours required occasionally

Other Duties

• Create, file and maintain timely, accurate and thorough contact reports and other productivity reports.
• Work with Donor Relations team on acknowledgments and other stewardship materials.
• Attend university and external functions as recommended. Serve on committees as appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Candidate will have 7-10 years of corporate and/or foundation fundraising or closely related experience with an emphasis on relationship cultivation and closing negotiations. Experience in higher education, academic medical centers or other large non-profits is preferred. A valid US driver’s license and the ability to travel are required.
• General knowledge of fundraising practices, procedures, and current trends in corporate and foundation fundraising.
• Ability to deliver a strong entrepreneurial approach to fundraising, including demonstrated ability to look at external opportunities that can be matched with internal needs of the university.
• Excellent judgement and tact with working with university administrators, faculty, staff and corporate and foundation officers. Excellent written communications skills, including demonstrated writing and editing skills in preparing proposals and related correspondence.
• Excellent verbal communication, public speaking and relationship building skills, including the ability to interact with people at all levels of an organization, in-person and on remote video platforms, such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
• Excellent organizational skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple demands and projects simultaneously, think creatively and solve problems.
• Ability to partner with others and work in a team environment.
• Intermediate command of Microsoft 365, including Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Experience with CRM-type database.

Work Environment

• At the time of this posting, the position works within a hybrid schedule between remote and on-campus.
• Office/home environment with a significant amount of time working on a computer and on the phone.
• Travel may occur outside of standard business hours including nights and weekends.

Bentley University requires references checks and may conduct other pre-employment screening.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Bentley University strives to create a campus community that welcomes the exchange of ideas, and fosters a culture that values differences and views them as a strength in our community.

Bentley University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, building strength through diversity. The University is committed to building a community of talented students, faculty and staff who reflect the diversity of global business. We strongly encourage applications from persons from underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, covered veterans and those with diverse experiences and backgrounds.