Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, College of Agriculture

Essential Functions

• Support the College of Agriculture’s corporate and foundation relations initiatives in consultation with the Senior Director, Chief Development Officer, Dean, the Associate Deans, faculty, and development staff in the College of Agriculture and the University Development Office Corporate and Foundation team.
• Secure major gifts aimed at meeting the strategic goals of the unit leadership, their programs, disciplines, and the University, with an expectation of raising a minimum of $1M annually.
• Partner with University Development Office leadership and the central office of Corporate and Foundation Relations.
• Build strategic relationships with and secures investment from companies and foundations to support the strategic academic plans and priorities of the College.

Responsibilities

• Identify potential sources of industry and foundation support for research and educational objectives in the College of Agriculture.
• Interact regularly with corporate and foundation representatives.
• Identify opportunities that align with the College of Agriculture and represent effectively the College of Agriculture’s initiatives to corporate and foundation executives.
• Build relationships to advance partnerships with corporate and foundation executives.
• Provide staff support for College of Agriculture’s administrators and faculty in their visits, contacts, and/or communication with companies and foundations.
• Provide guidance and coordination in preparing and soliciting companies and foundation, including writing gift proposals.
• Develop comprehensive goals and strategies to broaden and deepen the College of Agriculture’s relationships with key companies and foundations.
• Set annual and long-term solicitation goals to help meet the College of Agriculture’s strategic objectives and plans.
• Cooperate and coordinate with administrators, to advance corporate and foundation relationships overall and increase investment broadly in the University.
• Report regularly on the progress toward the Unit’s annual action plan.
• Provide input to communications targeted at donors and prospects.
• Become adept at using the Advancement database in support of major gift activities.
• Continually improve professional competency through participation in and/or leadership in professional organizational and other not-for-profit organizations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to speak before large groups.
• Demonstrated ability to develop corporate and foundation relationships, solicit and secure gifts, and write successful funding proposals.
• Ability to articulate the mission of Purdue University/Purdue Research Foundation as needed.
• Ability to interact with stakeholders from a wide range of professional and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to use good judgment, diplomacy, maintains confidentiality and represents the University/Foundation with tact and diplomacy at all times.
• Possess sound judgment, initiative, and ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team.
• Excellent relationship building skills, organizational skills and ability to handle multiple projects.
• Must have strong problem solving and decision-making skill, as well as attention to detail.
• Desire to continuously improve professional competency through participation in professional development opportunities.
• Ability to travel and perform evening and weekend duties as required.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Outlook and Office Suite.

• Regular and reliable attendance are requirements of this position.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• A minimum of three years of required experience in corporate and/or foundation relations experience or relevant work experience in marketing, public relations, or communications.

Application Instructions:

If you are interested in applying, please send a cover letter and resume to the Director of Human Resources at humanresources@prf.org on or before Tuesday, August 20, 2019.

A criminal conviction check and negative controlled substance test are required for employment in this position. 

Purdue Research Foundation is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce.