Executive Director of Foundation Relations

Vanderbilt University seeks an ambitious and strategic leader to craft and execute fundraising strategies for foundations in support of a compelling vision for the university’s impact. The Executive Director of Foundation Relations will be a key leader in Vanderbilt University’s Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) team, a dynamic division that has recently reinvented itself and is growing in team size, fundraising results, and innovation within the industry.

The Executive Director of Foundation Relations at Vanderbilt is part of the Department of Alumni Relations (DAR) Development Team at Vanderbilt University and is a manager responsible for leading the foundation fundraising efforts to drive greater levels of engagement and support. 

The Executive Director participates in setting fundraising goals, manages a portfolio of foundations, and oversees a budget for operations and travel. The Executive Director is also required to develop and maintain a strong working relationship with both internal and external constituents to facilitate partnerships around goals, priorities and outcomes. The Executive Director reports to the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Development.

About the Work Unit: 

The Department of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals. The Department is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University’s teaching and research programs. You can find more information here:  https://www.vanderbilt.edu/dar/

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

The Executive Director of Foundation Relations will work collaboratively to enhance Vanderbilt’s relationship-building efforts with foundations across all schools, units and University priority areas. This is an exceptional opportunity for a high-performing fundraiser and manager to lead a new team and drive impact on Vanderbilt’s campus. The executive director will establish and track progress toward fundraising goals in collaboration with other DAR teams. 

The successful candidate will be intellectual and socially curious, possessing extraordinary communication and emotional intelligence. The executive director will have the political savvy and flexibility to navigate a complex academic community, and the desire and ability to build bridges and strong working relationships with all members of the operation. 

They will be a collaborative and innovative leader with a comprehensive knowledge of all major advancement functions and substantial strategic planning experience; personal success securing major and principal gifts from foundations; and the proven ability to motivate and engage both internal and external stakeholders. They will take a relationship-based approach to their work. The ideal candidate will design, implement, and coordinate the overall strategic vision for the foundation relations team, consistent with the overall development program at Vanderbilt University. 

·  Design, implement, and lead relationship-driven fundraising initiatives aimed at securing support from foundations whose missions and funding priorities align with Vanderbilt University’s strategic goals.

·  Develop a deep understanding of Vanderbilt’s existing foundation relationships to effectively leverage, strengthen, and expand these partnerships.

·  Identify and cultivate new foundation prospects, integrating them into Vanderbilt’s fundraising portfolio. Lead the submission of funding solicitations, where appropriate, and collaborate closely with the Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPR) on select Requests for Proposals (RFPs).

·  Work collaboratively with Development and Alumni Relations (DAR), OVPR, and other internal stakeholders to advance foundations through the full lifecycle of engagement—including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship—by crafting and executing targeted solicitation strategies and ensuring the timely submission of compelling proposals.

·  Facilitate cross-disciplinary collaborations by assembling strategic teams of DAR and OVPR colleagues, faculty, and academic leadership to pursue foundation funding opportunities that span departments and disciplines.

·  Advise Vanderbilt faculty and staff on funding and partnership opportunities with family foundations, offering strategic guidance on development initiatives while staying informed about university-wide priorities and interdisciplinary programs of greatest relevance to these funders.

·  Provide technical expertise, mentorship, and strategic leadership in the development of proposals to family foundations, working closely with DAR and OVPR colleagues to enhance Vanderbilt’s competitiveness for funding.

·  Track and manage short- and long-term opportunities with family foundations, developing strategic approaches to engagement and stewardship.

·  Deliver qualitative and quantitative progress reports, assessing the effectiveness of fundraising efforts and identifying areas for growth and improvement.

·  Undertake additional projects and responsibilities as assigned.

The executive director is charged with overseeing the comprehensive fundraising program for foundations that will drive larger success in securing funds to support key priorities. The executive director also works closely with colleagues in the goal setting process each fiscal year to set targets that are both ambitious and achievable.

Establish oneself as a knowledgeable staff member by:

• Learning the Vanderbilt mission and being knowledgeable about Vanderbilt’s impact on higher education and society in general
• Attaining an in-depth understanding of all schools, units and major funding priorities at the University and matching them to appropriate funding opportunities
• Collaborating with DAR staff to build and maintain best practices in soliciting major and principal gifts from foundations

Enhance departmental performance standards by:

• Maintaining a level of reliability that generates stability in the department
• Meeting or exceeding department performance standards
• Fostering a spirit of cooperation
• Understanding and effectively communicating departmental policy and procedures
• Upholding DAR’s values and leadership principles as a key member of our unit leaders’ team
• Conveying thoughts/ideas to the leadership team on improving departmental performance

Approach each situation with a professional attitude by:

• Exercising good judgment in discussing issues and results with the team
• Maintaining composure and a calm demeanor during challenging situations
• Respecting the need for confidentiality of donors and colleagues
• Performing other duties as assigned

Work Environment:

There is a preference that this position be located in the Nashville, TN area. However, open to looking at remote work employees. 

If located in the Nashville area, this position would by hybrid with an expectation of being in the office one day per week or more, depending on business needs.

If located remote, this position would be required to travel to Nashville quarterly or more depending on business needs.

Compensation:

This position includes eligibility for an annual performance-based bonus of up to 15%, or more, of your annual salary, contingent on meeting predetermined goals. The exact bonus amount will be determined based on your ability to successfully deliver on balanced performance indicators throughout the fiscal year. Other eligibility factors apply.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position has supervisory responsibility of the Foundation Relations team. This will include one direct report – Associate Director of Foundation Relations. This team can grow based on achieving goals and return on investments.

This position reports administratively and functionally to the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Development and partners closely with the Office of the Vice Provost for Research.

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent, is necessary. 
• Advance/graduate degree is preferred.

Experience and Skills:

• 10 years of relevant development experience, or the equivalent, is necessary. Preference will be given for extensive experience working with Foundations.
• At least 5 years of experience writing RFPs is preferred. 
• Exceptional persuasive writing and verbal communication skills are required, as is superior ability to creatively articulate the needs, interests, and accomplishments of Vanderbilt University to a wide range of audiences. 
• Ability to quickly grasp and foster synergies between Vanderbilt and its complex environment and the philanthropic goals of major national and regional foundations. 
• Demonstrate a high level of professionalism, diplomacy, and tact in all work efforts. 
• Be comfortable working in an environment that emphasizes quantitative performance goals and metrics, as well as requires adaptability to changing circumstances and unique opportunities as they occur. 
• Possess creative skills that facilitate success in an environment where critical thinking and teamwork are required. 
• Experience in collaborative project management, independently setting and reaching goals, gathering and organizing information, and an ability to balance multiple priorities are required. 
• Project a high degree of energy and imagination and have an outstanding work ethic and personal enthusiasm for the mission of Vanderbilt University, as well as a genuine commitment to the advancement of science and education.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in the handling of confidential information.
• Ability to use current computer technology, such as Windows, Excel, Word, and Vanderbilt’s donor management system.
• Superb written and oral communication skills, specifically in the areas of proposal and presentation development.
• Demonstrated success in working across teams and disciplines – facilitating solutions, designing new ideas, and driving forward priorities.
• A working understanding of education and research that will help drive forward new interdisciplinary initiatives.
• The capacity to perform in an intellectually rigorous and complex academic environment.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and adapt to ever changing priorities are essential.
• Exhibit personal characteristics enabling effective interaction with important constituencies and possess a genuine commitment to the advancement of education, research, and to the principles governing Development and Alumni Relations.
• Driving is considered an essential job function for this role. Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and a satisfactory driving record. Vanderbilt University engages a third party to provide up-to-date notifications regarding negative changes to motor vehicle records.
• Routine overnight travel is required.
• Some evening and weekend work, as needed.