Position Summary:
Currently reporting to the Interim Director of Development of the Marine Biological Laboratory and working closely with the MBL Development Team and colleagues at the University of Chicago, the Senior Associate Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations will play a fundamental role in enhancing and managing the foundation and corporate relations program that provides significant philanthropic support to the MBL's educational and research programs. Identifying appropriate foundation and corporate prospects for priority and strategic projects, the Senior Associate Director will collaborate with senior leaders and faculty in the development and submission of proposals and reports, and serve as a relationship manager and strategist for a portfolio of major, regional, and family foundations.
Basic Qualifications:

Collaborate with the MBL Development Team and University of Chicago Foundation and Corporate Relations Team to develop and implement initiatives that enhance the MBL's relationships with and increase support from independent foundations.
Collaborate with management to analyze foundation interests, assess opportunities, and pursue foundation support for selected MBL programs and strategic initiatives. Develop and implement ways to promote, cultivate and steward foundation funded programs and projects across the MBL research and education. Enhance and expand the MBL's portfolio of Foundation partners.
Prepare and develop comprehensive documents such as proposals, reports, and non-routine correspondence. Assist resident faculty in
defining programs and budgetary needs for presentation to foundations. Collaborate with MBL leadership to cultivate multi-investigator proposals across resident and visiting faculty, fellows, and Course Faculty where opportunities arise. Prepare correspondence and other materials for senior leaders and faculty. Manage the execution of multiple projects, enlisting support of other staff where appropriate. Represent the MBL and serve as a liaison to foundation leaders and program staff.
Serve as relationship manager and strategist for a portfolio of major, regional, and family foundations. Develop and monitor strategies for assigned
foundations. Collaborate with Senior MBL staff and University of Chicago Foundation and Corporate Relations team to leverage existing corporate relationships and develop strategies to broaden this portfolio.
Identify emerging program areas with funding promise and assist in the development of new projects.
Perform other duties as assigned. Seek opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the MBL's research and education constituencies, through the University of Chicago and with colleagues at peer institutions.
This position requires occasional weekend and evening work including traveling up to 15% annually.
Preferred Qualifications:
•Exceptional writing and communication skills
•Working knowledge and understanding of the foundation and corporate sectors, particularly those organizations that historically support research-based and educational institutions.
•Passionate and/or knowledgeable about foundational life sciences and the important role biology plays in overcoming some of the world's most complex challenges.
•Ambition to build and maintain effective partnerships at all levels of internal and external constituencies.
•Demonstrated aptitude to thrive in a complex and dynamic environment, managing multiple priorities.
•A self-starter who uses an entrepreneurial approach to building and guiding an advancement program and who has the ability to reach out to a broader community to promote the mission of the MBL.
•Master's Degree or equivalent preferred
•5-7 years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales or similar professional work experience required
•Experience leading a project team or managing staff preferred
•Experience writing and managing independent proposals and developing solicitation strategies is essential.
Physical Requirements:
This position requires sedentary work (exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects). Worker must be able to stand, walk, sit, reach, push, pull, use fingertips, grasp, talk, hear, and perform repetitive motions. Worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform activities such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, viewing a computer terminal, and extensive
reading.