Assistant Director of Development, Foundation Relations

The Foundation Relations program oversees and facilitates the development and programmatic administration of private foundation proposals for multiple units within the Oregon State University Foundation to meet the priorities of Oregon State University.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Sr. Director of Development, Foundation Relations, the Assistant Director of Development, Foundation Relations helps plan, develop, implement, and oversee the activities of the Foundation Relations program. This position is also responsible for a portfolio and will work collaboratively with other development directors on their portfolios, as well as provide other key services, including individual and team training, prospect research, work as a liaison with grant-making organizations, and report administration.

The successful candidate will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to the first day of employment.

Work Location 

This position will be based in Corvallis, Oregon and will work out of the OSU Foundation Corvallis office.

The Foundation offers a program called Core Work Days, a hybrid approach combining remote and in-office work days. Unless traveling for work, Foundation employees are in office on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and work remotely, if preferred, on Monday and Friday.

Measures of Success

• Meet annual goals to advance unit priorities (1) by meeting with other foundation employees, university faculty and administrators, and other identified partners, as well as (2) by assisting with various aspects of proposal development
• Meet agreed-upon annual goal for number of visits 5 to 10
• Meet agreed-upon annual goal for proposals opened 60 to 80 ($2,500+)
• Meet agreed-upon annual goal for number of gifts received 30 to 50 ($2,500+)
• Personally cultivate and secure $250,000 to $500,000 in countable gifts / pledges ($2,500+)

Key Partners

The key partners for this position include OSU faculty and unit leaders, major gift officers, staff in communications, gift accounting, and finance and key external individual for specific proposals as needed.

Major Duties 

Provide general and directed support to prepare proposals for local, state, regional, and national private foundation prospects, and other grant-making organizations. Work may include, but not limited to, shepherding proposals through the proposal development process from idea conception to the submission phases, completing application forms, compiling institutional (OSU and OSUF) information, preparing attachments, ensuring quality control (e.g., proofreading, proposal compliance), (Re)writing assigned proposal sections, including boilerplate text, and Liaising with prospective funders on potential proposals.

Oversee reporting requirements for assigned grants, including appropriate management of the reporting calendar.

Working with Principal Investigators, coordinate procedures and timely reporting for existing grant-funded projects.

Oversee the maintenance of hardcopy and electronic grant files, as appropriate.

In coordination with other Foundation Relations staff, support units general and specialized administrative needs. May include partial or full management of a student intern.

Contribute to new and existing capacity-building measures, such as overseeing RFP distribution, training program(s), and website maintenance as appropriate and if assigned.

Assist with project and program management through the master planning for the unit. Provide team-based or individual training as requested by university units.

Conduct prospect research on private foundations from various sources to align with identified OSU and OSUF projects and priorities.

Working with the Foundation Relations team, assist with the development of funding strategies for individual faculty and college units.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Appropriate research techniques and methods
• Project management and organizational skills

Demonstrated skills in:

• Editing and proofreading
• Clear, cogent, concise writing
• Development of proposal frameworks to assist faculty and college units
• Using computer programs, systems, and online services
• Web-based research

Demonstrated ability to:

• Communicate effectively and clearly
• Conduct oneself with tact and diplomacy and exercise appropriate confidentiality
• Coordinate post-award grant requirements
• Handle interpersonal relationships maturely, thoughtfully, and empathetically, including the ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Meet deadlines and anticipate program needs
• Obtain information to support proposal development and reporting
• Represent the OSU Foundation in Foundation Relations activities with internal and external audiences and stakeholder groups
• Understand and follow written and oral directions
• Work independently and as directed
• Work productively with campus faculty, administrators, assistants, and other stakeholders involved in project development, proposal writing, and grant administration
• Travel occasionally, with some overnight stays

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and three years of program support experience. Experience with proposal processes through nonprofit, higher education, or other grant-seeking organizations. Proposal or other sophisticated writing experience preferred. Foundation Relations experience in a higher education setting preferred. Education and experience equivalencies will be considered.

Core Values

We strive to be one of the best places to work in the country.  We know that our success depends in large part on the people who carry out our mission.  It’s what we do –and how we do it -- that makes the difference.  Our core values reflect our approach to work and to each other, and we are committed to conduct consistent with these values.

 collaborative · responsible · respectful · inclusive · innovative 

Please submit a cover letter to support your résumé and application.  Application URL: https://www.fororegonstate.org/about/jobs/career-opportunities?p=job%2Fo2AhjfwW