Senior Director of Development, Foundation Relations

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Senior Vice President for Development & Chief Development Officer, the Senior Director of Foundation Relations leads the strategy to grow private foundation support for Oregon State University’s highest priorities.

This is a senior, highly strategic role that partners closely with the university’s Vice President for Research and Innovation to align OSU’s strengths with private foundation interests. The Senior Director cultivates and stewards relationships with select private foundations, drives major grant solicitations, and advances key institutional initiatives.

A distinctive feature of this role—unlike many peer institutions—is that it is entirely focused on private foundation engagement. Corporate relations are managed through a separate office, underscoring the specialized nature and strategic importance of foundation relations at OSU.

Just as important, this position plays a vital role in empowering OSU faculty—who are highly successful with federal funding—to translate their work into compelling proposals for private foundations. The Senior Director leads workshops, offers targeted coaching, and partners directly with faculty and departments to build capacity and craft competitive private foundation proposals.

The Senior Director also oversees the Foundation Relations team and fosters collaboration across the university to meet ambitious fundraising goals.

The ideal candidate is a strategic, entrepreneurial leader who thrives in a research-driven, collaborative environment. Key strengths include:

• Persuasive and dynamic communication—both written and verbal
• Experience guiding faculty through complex proposal development
• Strong leadership and relationship-building skills
• Strategic thinking and creativity in engaging foundation partners
• Understanding of research university cultures and funding landscapes
• Integrity, initiative, and a collaborative spirit

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Portfolio Management: Oversee a portfolio of state, regional, and national private foundation prospects with principal gift capacity.
• Foundation Engagement: Research, evaluate, cultivate, and solicit assigned private foundations, often operating beyond standard RFP processes by leveraging strong relationships.
• Strategic Planning: Develop and monitor engagement strategies, mapping OSU’s institutional and volunteer connections with assigned private foundations.
• Communication and Travel: Coordinate travel, correspondence, site visits, and calls with private foundation staff and program officers.
• Collaboration: Align efforts with University university leaders, faculty, staff, and development directors to generate funding ideas, craft proposals, and meet reporting requirements for current awards.
• Research Alignment: Maintain regular contact with OSU’s VP for Research & Innovation to ensure priorities align with funding efforts.
• Team Partnership: Work closely with the OSUF Foundation Relations team to foster collaboration and success.
• Proposal Development: Create and present proposals, stewardship reports, and briefing materials, while organizing visits for faculty and administrative leaders.
• Prospect Identification: Research and engage new private foundations with principal gift capacity, initiating contact to explore funding opportunities.
• Record keeping: Track private foundation interactions and donor details using OSUF’s CRM system.
• Team Leadership: Supervise staff, oversee hiring and training, set goals, evaluate performance, and address conduct issues while fostering a service-oriented and collaborative team culture.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Expertise in prospect research methods, higher education private foundations, and grant writing/management.
• Proficiency in computer literacy and adaptability to new systems to enhance fundraising efforts.
• Strong editing, writing, organizational, and time management skills.
• Exercise effective and respectful relationships with campus partners, including Deans and Vice Presidents.
• Introduce innovative funding ideas aligned with priority projects.
• Work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Handle complex materials, multitask, and thrive in academic settings.
• Maintain accuracy, attention to detail, and flexibility in a fast-paced environment.
• Travel regularly for university engagements and foundation meetings, occasionally requiring overnight stays.

Measures of Success:

• Expand Private Foundation Support: Focus on increasing the total funding received from private foundations to support OSU’s priorities.
• Enhance Proposal Quality and Quantity: Boost the number and caliber of private foundation proposals submitted to strengthen funding opportunities.
• Elevate Faculty Training: Provide more high-quality training sessions for faculty across campus, leveraging the expertise of the Foundation Relations team.
• Empower Your Team: Lead and mentor your direct reports to foster their growth and drive success within the team.

Education/Experience:

A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as fundraising, nonprofit management, business administration, or communications, is required. At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in foundation relations or related fundraising activities is required, including demonstrated proficiency in grant writing and development. Prior supervisory experience of at least three (3) years is required, with a proven ability to lead and mentor teams effectively.

Important Organizational Notes:

The candidate must possess a valid driver’s license and be prepared to work a flexible schedule that may include evenings and weekends to support foundation events and donor-related activities. Adherence to a professional code of conduct is essential at all times, ensuring the highest standards of integrity, respect, and ethical behavior in all interactions and responsibilities.  Adherence to the Core Values is vital to success.

We encourage you to submit a cover letter to support your resume. In your cover letter, please connect your prior work experience to the job you are applying for. Preference may be given to applicants who submit a cover letter and resume.