Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Development, the Senior Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations is responsible for advancing institutional philanthropy through the creative engagement of foundations and corporations with the University. The Senior Director sets the strategic direction for the office of Corporate Foundation Relations through a comprehensive annual business planning process and conducts industry research to identify opportunities to leverage broad-scale foundation investment aligning Seton Hall’s priority programs and initiatives with funder guidelines. Works in concert with the Associate Vice President for Development to identify targets for institutional fundraising efforts (e.g. academic programs, interdisciplinary initiatives, research, etc.), provides guidance and support to academic leadership in engaging private foundations. This individual is a frontline fundraiser, responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting and securing major gifts at the $50,000+ level as well as maintaining a master calendar for grant renewals and stewardship reports.
This individual will supervise two Associate Directors, providing oversight, motivation, mentorship and evaluation. Duties include developing goals, plans, performance metrics, and monitoring activity and progress toward fundraising goals. As a part of the management, this individual will work with the Associate Directors to develop proposals, materials and other information related to their fundraising efforts.
This role also holds responsibility for maintaining a close working relationship with the Office for Grants and Research Services (OGRS) to ensure that all institutional policies and procedures for applying for external grants are upheld. The individual in this role also coordinates with Grants Accounting and UA’s Gift Processing group to ensure that grants and gifts from corporations and foundations are appropriately acknowledged, receipted, and stewarded.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Design, execute, and manage a comprehensive, proactive, and strategic plan for institutional fundraising. Understand trends in higher education fundraising; educate academic leadership and faculty members about effective grant seeking, foundation partnerships, and corporate philanthropy. Directly identify, cultivate, and solicit gifts in support of SHU’s philanthropic priorities, achieving a personal fundraising goal and contributing toward department goals.
2. Work with academic leadership to identify initiatives with high potential for major investment from foundations. Partner with deans and faculty to craft compelling cases for support. Initiate opportunities for senior leadership, deans, and faculty to engage with foundation leadership. Build alignment between stakeholders to drive projects forward and garner foundation interest. Provide guidance and writing support for the full spectrum of the proposal development process—from letter of inquiry through submission. Includes proposal development and writing, copyediting, proofreading, and assisting faculty with hard copy and online submissions.
3. Proactively research prospects, track and disseminate RFPs based on faculty research interest area, and maintain a master calendar of renewals. Be visible in the campus community, effectively manage communication with the broader faculty body, and design and execute CFR-focused campus-based sessions/events to cultivate a culture of grant-seeking.
4. Effectively steward donors and generate opportunities for recognition (in coordination with PR & Marketing). Ensure a high-quality stewardship experience to leverage continued and increasing levels of support. Ensure that donor reporting requirements are met. Maintain detailed prospect, proposal, and contact records in Raiser’s Edge so that institutional history with a particular donor or prospect is complete and accessible to others.
5. Supervise the daily operations of the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations, including budget oversight, and supervising support staff. Attend meetings as required (e.g. CFR/OGRS biweekly, group prospect meetings, development department meetings, division meetings, and UA school-based team meetings.) Serve as a representative for SHU and SHU values/mission to external partners and prospects, enhancing institutional visibility and reputation. Other duties as assigned.
6. Lead, motivate, mentor and evaluate the associate director of foundation relations and the associate director of corporate relations. Develop goals, plans and performance measures. Monitor activity and progress toward goals. Work with the associate directors to develop proposals, materials and research to adequately support the solicitation of foundation and corporate gifts.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelors and minimum 5- 8 years experience with prior experience working in higher education in institutional fundraising is highly desired and preferred.

Desired Qualifications:

Masters Preferred

Salary Grade:

AD210 - Administrative

Exempt/Nonexempt: Exempt

Physical Demands: General Office Environment

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Seton Hall University is committed to programs of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and the principles of affirmative action.