Primary Function
The role of the Senior Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations is to significantly grow philanthropic grant and sponsorship revenue from private foundations as well as corporations and their foundations. The position is responsible for executing a foundation relations, corporate giving and corporate sponsorship strategy designed to build and strengthen partnerships, sponsorships and other forms of support for overall advancement of the university’s mission, outreach and engagement activities. This includes, securing funding for the Office of Outreach, Engagement, and Regional Development (OERD) and the Strategic Development Team (SDT), as well as developing mutually beneficial relationships between the university and the wide range of businesses, industries and corporations in the NIU region. The Senior Director of Corporate and Foundations Relations oversees the Director of Advancement for Institutional and Regional Initiatives and reports to the Executive Director of Advancement. As a member of the NIU Foundation giving team, this individual is charged with setting the direction, implementing and ensuring the success of the corporate and foundation fundraising program.
Duties and Responsibilities (generally)
The Senior Director will be responsible for development and oversight of a team charged with the identification of work and opportunities that might attract external support, and also for responding to opportunities for external support (through RFPs, foundation guidelines, etc.). Generally, the Senior Director is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of gifts to the NIU Foundation from corporations and foundations. In addition, the Senior Director manages the overall growth of the corporate and foundation program from creating a robust annual donor base to creating strategies for securing major gift commitments. This position works closely with the Office of Outreach, Engagement, and Regional Development, the Strategic Development Team, NIU’s Alumni Association, and key members of the NIU Foundation including Directors of Advancement for the colleges and programs, and the Stewardship team. To be successful, the Senior Director will need to collaborate with administrators, faculty and staff across NIU. The fundraising goal for this position will begin at $2M annually and grow to $5M+ annually.
Minimum Required Qualifications for this position
1. Bachelor’s degree.
2. Seven (7) to ten (10) years of corporate and foundation fundraising experience, or equivalent experience in a grant-making organization.
3. Five (5) years of experience in development and alumni relations fields.
4. Five (5) years of experience working within a matrixed organizational structure where performance responsibilities are evaluated in different divisions.
Specialty Factors (Additional Required Qualifications)
Education and Experience Preferred
1. Advanced degree.
2. CFRE.
3. Capital campaign experience in higher education is highly desirable.
4. Program development experience
List the knowledge, skills, and abilities critical to the performance of this position.
1. Demonstrable commitment to the highest standard of ethical and professional conduct in accordance with the CASE Statement of Ethics, the Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethical Principles and Standards, and The Donor Bill of Rights. (Membership not required.)
2. Deep, personal commitment to diversity in all forms, the recognition of all individuals to mutual respect, and the acceptance of others without biases. Demonstrable commitment to leading by example, modeling diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the university.
3. Excellent interpersonal skills to relate to donors, volunteers, colleagues and university leadership.
4. Self-motivated (a "self-starter"); innovative with an entrepreneurial spirit, and ability to work with considerable independence within the context of a team environment and a network of relationships.
5. Superior written and oral communication, negotiating, organizational, analytical and fundraising skills, including the ability to interpret financial information and manage data.
6. Familiarity with financial planning, tax and charitable gift laws and planned giving vehicles and methods.
7. Knowledge of not-for-profit higher education as well as university governance, academic administrative and financial policies and guidelines.
8. Ability and desire to engage in face-to-face relationship activities, primarily through the scheduling of one-on-one appointments with corporate and foundation prospects who have never been engaged with NIU. Must be able to travel frequently and as needed to manage portfolio of corporate and foundation prospects; some international travel may be required.
9. This position requires the handling of highly sensitive and confidential information and requires an exemplary track record of professionalism, maturity and discretion.
10. Willingness to commit to and articulate the mission and goals of Northern Illinois University and the NIU Foundation.
11. Familiarity with donor databases and gift planning tools (e.g. Millennium, The Raiser’s Edge, PG Calc), Microsoft Office software and computerized systems of donor record keeping, data tracking of prospects, and donors.
12. The ability to think critically and strategically; capable of taking responsibility for specific goals within designated time frames. Capable of coordinating multi-task initiatives to successful conclusion.
13. A flexible attitude and ability to modify and adapt as situations and conditions change, as well as a resilience with regard to the rigors of public higher education and the increasing pressure of resource constraints.
14. The ability to effectively work in and manage within a group/team environment and assist in intra-divisional initiatives.
15. A proven ability to build strong relationships anchored in trust and integrity.
