Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations

Reporting to the Vice President for Central Fundraising, while serving as the dedicated and embedded Corporate and Foundation Relations liaison to the Sr. Associate Vice President of Development in Newark. This strategically aligned role ensures accountability to Central Fundraising leadership while maintaining a deep integration within and responsibility to the Rutgers University-Newark (RU-N) Development Team. The position leverages Rutgers-Newark’s knowledge of funding priorities alongside Central’s strategic framework, proven processes, and expanded resources to drive meaningful and sustained external funding success.

Essential Functions

• Serves as a fully integrated member of the Central Fundraising’s Corporate and Foundation Relations team, collaborating with Central CFR leadership to ensure integrity of processes, adherence to established CFR guidelines, and alignment with institution-wide strategies. Represents Rutgers–Newark within Central CFR discussions, contributing Newark-specific perspectives and participating in multi-unit strategies, solicitations, and prospect management efforts.
• Functions as an embedded member of the Rutgers–Newark Development team, working closely with the Senior Associate Vice President of Development in Newark, RU-N Directors of Development, RU-N team, deans, directors, key faculty, and administrators to identify and advance Newark’s funding priorities. Leverages both Newark’s institutional strengths and Central CFR’s strategic framework, resources, and expertise to design and implement compelling proposals for corporations and foundations.
• Meet annual fundraising dollar targets and substantive meeting targets utilizing key list of corporate and foundation contacts.
• Secure, design, and execute visits with corporations and foundations showcasing RU-N programs and core capabilities. Must have ability to translate faculty research and academic programs into clear and effective presentations.
• Serve as primary point of contact with select corporations and foundations leading the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship processes, involving university faculty, deans, and Rutgers University Foundation team members as needed.
• Identify new corporations and foundation prospects that have an interest in supporting RU-N initiatives.
• Organize and manage information from multiple internal and external sources to prepare rationale and recommendations.
• Keep abreast of the complex and dynamic external environment and be able to adjust priorities and approach accordingly.
• Must have the ability to motivate, support, and manage multiple priorities in a positive collaborative manner. Effectively communicate and translate (in verbal and written terms) complex concepts into simple terms.
• Represent the Rutgers University Foundation at professional forums when appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Competency Aptitudes

Leadership

• Perform professional work that requires detailed specialized knowledge in writing and editing.
• Staff on-campus visits as well as visits to corporations and foundations
  
  

Autonomy

• Manage projects with moderate supervision from leadership
• Set goals and meet deadlines
• Manage a portfolio with a primary focus on meeting targets in the areas of dollars and substantive meetings
  
  

Complexity

• Devise and execute increasingly complex projects
• Set direction and approach in partnership with assigned RU leader’s vision
• Adapt to changing situations and different fundraising partners
  
  

Strategy

• Demonstrate an ability to set priorities for Newark CFR, in conjunction with the Central Corporate and Foundation Relations Team at RUF
• Develop and submit written proposals and other materials as needed for securing philanthropic investments
  
  

Education And/or Experience

Bachelor’s degree and/or 6 years of professional experience in corporate and foundation philanthropy, fundraising, non-profit organizations, higher education, or related fields.

Working Conditions

This position requires clarity of focus while juggling complex projects or deadlines with little physical effort. Will work evenings, weekends, or odd hours to meet resource-raising commitments. Typical working conditions with an absence of disagreeable elements. This position requires some early mornings and late evenings to accommodate meetings, travel, events, and external constituents’ schedules.

Workplace Arrangements

This is classified as an office-centric hybrid position. Colleagues working under an office-centric hybrid arrangement have a primary workstation in Rutgers-Newark and in the office between one and five days a week. The frequency with which they are present in the office depends on their role and function and the interdependency of other functions.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is Foundation policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants. The Foundation prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, genetic information, and any other characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and/or local laws. Equal employment opportunity applies to hiring, placement, transfer, promotion, demotion, recruitment, advertising or solicitation for employment, treatment during employment, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, selection for training, layoff, or termination.