Senior Associate Director – Foundation and Corporate Relations

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Massachusetts.

📋 Description

• Collaborate with and operate under the guidance of the Chief Advancement Officer to strengthen and enhance MBL's relationships with private foundations, corporations, philanthropic organizations, and various initiatives.

• Support and develop a pipeline that contributes over $8M annually, with the goal of further expansion.

• Create a strategic plan for foundation and corporate relations that aligns with the overall strategic development plan.

• Work alongside program officers and organizational representatives to evaluate interests, assess opportunities, and seek support for MBL programs and strategic initiatives.

• Promote, cultivate, and manage foundation- and corporate-funded programs and projects across MBL's research and educational efforts.

• Enhance and broaden the MBL portfolio of foundation and corporate partners.

• Prepare proposals, reports, non-routine correspondence, and materials for senior leadership and faculty.

• Assist resident faculty in articulating programs and budgetary requirements for presentation to foundations and corporations.

• Collaborate with MBL leadership to nurture multi-investigator proposals that engage resident and visiting faculty, fellows, and course faculty.

• Oversee multiple projects and coordinate support from other staff as necessary.

• Represent MBL and act as a liaison to leaders and program staff from foundations and corporations.

• Serve as the relationship manager and strategist for a portfolio of major, regional, and family foundations and corporations.

• Develop and monitor strategies for foundation and corporate engagements.

• Leverage existing corporate relationships and devise strategies to expand the partnership portfolio.

• Identify emerging program areas with potential for funding and assist in the development of new projects.

• Pursue professional development opportunities and cultivate networks within MBL, the University of Chicago, and peer institutions.

• Perform additional duties as assigned.

⛳️ Requirements

• Outstanding writing and communication skills.

• Familiarity and understanding of foundation and corporate sectors, particularly those supporting research-based and educational institutions.

• A passion for and/or knowledge of foundational life sciences and the impact of biology on addressing complex challenges.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships with both internal and external stakeholders.

• Capacity to excel in a complex and dynamic environment while juggling multiple priorities.

• An entrepreneurial mindset towards developing and leading an advancement program.

• PhD or Master's Degree in biology preferred, or equivalent experience.

• 5-7 years of professional experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales, or similar fields required.

• Preferred experience in leading project teams or managing staff.

• Experience in writing and managing independent proposals and developing solicitation strategies.

• Ability to perform sedentary tasks as well as stand, walk, sit, reach, push, pull, use fingers, grasp, talk, hear, and perform repetitive motions.

• Close visual acuity for preparing and analyzing data and figures, using a computer terminal, and extensive reading.

🏝️ Benefits

• Fully remote option available depending on the candidate.

• Opportunities for professional development.

• Potential for occasional weekend and evening work with travel requirements up to 20% annually.