What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant/Associate Director, Corporate position at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution?
WHOI has a strong history of fundraising from a broad base of supporters. Philanthropic giving from individuals, corporations, and foundations has been instrumental to advancing ocean research, technology and education.
This support has been an integral part of WHOIs success since it was founded in 1930 with a $2.5M gift from the Rockefeller Foundation. Today, gifts from local, national and international donors continue to support WHOIs mission and vision helping to unravel the mysteries of the ocean and devise science-based solutions to planet-wide problems.
About WHOI
With a collaborative 22-person development team, WHOI has been named a four-star charity by Charity Navigator for 12 consecutive years, a distinction achieved by only two percent of U.S. charities. Support for WHOI from donors reached $90M in 2023, and results are projected to exceed $65M in 2024.
Job Description
WHOI is in the early phase of a comprehensive, multi-year campaign and this role will play a significant role in the success of the campaign through the careful stewardship of WHOIs current supporters and the ambitious identification, qualification and solicitation of new corporate and foundation donors.
Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Assistant/Associate Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations supports the efforts of the Development Office in securing financial support for WHOIs research, education, and outreach programs from private philanthropic foundations.
Responsibilities
- Manage an active portfolio of approximately 100 foundation and corporation prospects with an annual revenue target of $2.
- The identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of private philanthropic foundations and corporations.
- Developing and implementing long-term and short-term fund-raising strategies that are aligned with WHOIs mission.
- Working with the Corporate and Foundation Relations Team, the Chief Development Officer and other members of the Development and Advancement teams to develop effective communication materials that convey large-scale far-reaching endeavors.
- Working closely with WHOI faculty and staff to coordinate and manage pre-solicitation meetings and correspondence, develop effective proposals, and maintain productive partnerships with donors.
- Conducting research to identify new foundation prospects, as well as to monitor ongoing and emerging opportunities with current foundation partners.
- Serving as primary contact within WHOI for all non-government foundation reporting requirements, working closely with science department Administrators, PIs and Grants and Contracts to meet all reporting deadlines and deliverables.
- Preparing letters for the President and Director to accompany proposal submissions and to thank foundations for grant commitments and payments.
- Preparing background information on foundation donors/prospects, to be included in briefing documents for the President, Director and others.
- Prepares complex financial reports to meet foundation-specific reporting requirements.
- Assists in preparing, editing, and proofing proposals, proposal budgets, reports, letters, briefing materials, and other documents such as institutional financial information and financial statements for external constituents.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree
- A track record of success raising funds from foundations
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including demonstrated writing and editing skills in the preparation of proposals, reports and correspondence
- Strong analytical skills and ability to read and evaluate non-profit financial reporting statements.
- Willingness to gain knowledge about the field of ocean sciences on an on-going basis.
About Us
Experience working in an academic research setting and a demonstrated ability to work effectively and collegially with faculty, senior administrators, staff, and external constituencies.
Ability to translate complex scientific information into accessible and interesting text. Tact in working with scientists to modifying their writing for various lay audiences.
Proficient at using Development Office software (Raisers Edge, WHOIgrants, Adobe products, Microsoft Office, FoundationSearch, iWave, Lexis-Nexis, database logic and general internet research).
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
