Associate Director, Foundation Relations

Baylor College of Medicine; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 89,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX is seeking an Associate Director of Foundation Relations to manage a portfolio of private foundations, lead grant proposals, and coordinate with faculty and offices to maximize funding and ensure compliance.

The role emphasizes strategic engagement, donor reporting, and collaboration with major gift officers, with a hybrid work arrangement and occasional site visits. Bachelor’s degree and several years in foundation relations are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Four years of relevant experience.
• At least 3 years in foundation relations with proven results.
• Experience in academic medicine, higher education or healthcare preferred.
• Strong written communications and interpersonal skills.
• Technical proficiency with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Blackbaud CRM.
• Ability to handle confidential materials and review complex budgets.
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to manage multiple deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 75 regional and national private foundation prospects and donors.
• Lead development and submission of competitive grant proposals and LOIs.
• Identify and evaluate prospective foundation funders and tailor strategies.
• Collaborate with faculty, administrators and offices to identify funding opportunities.
• Coordinate proposal development from concept through submission with diverse teams.
• Prepare timely stewardship reports and donor communications demonstrating impact.
• Participate in foundation cultivation, solicitation and stewardship activities.
• Maintain accurate records of prospect and donor activity in CRM.
• Review foundation proposals for consistency with BCM messaging and standards.
• Monitor deadlines, calendars, and reporting obligations for compliance.

Skills

Foundation fundraising

Grant writing

Academic medicine

Stakeholder comms

CRM (Blackbaud)

Budget review

Teamwork

Deadline management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Blackbaud CRM

Microsoft Office

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Associate Director, Foundation Relations

Division: Institutional Advancement & Alumni Affairs
Work Arrangement: Hybrid
Location: Houston, TX
Salary Range: $88,583 - $104,215
FLSA Status: Exempt
Work Schedule: Flexible

The Associate Director of Foundation Relations reports directly to the Senior Director of Foundation Relations and is responsible for supporting the development, evaluation, implementation and reporting for a portfolio consisting of regional, national, and international foundations. This person will help implement strategies in identification, cultivation and solicitations of foundations, conduct prospect research, and prepare and deliver timely stewardship reporting. This position will coordinate philanthropic foundation activity with sponsored grants and contracts to ensure appropriate funding strategies and institutional compliance. The Associate Director of Foundation Relations will also support and assist major gift officers in their work with foundations and will provide all supporting materials required for evaluation, solicitation and stewardship of these vital relationships.

Internal title: Senior Development Associate I; working title: Associate Director, Foundation Relations

Job Duties

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 75 regional and national private foundation prospects and donors, developing and implementing strategies for identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Lead the development and submission of competitive grant proposals, letters of inquiry and other funding requests to private foundations. Secure a minimum of $1 million annually in philanthropic commitments, with a primary focus on major gifts of $100,000 or more.
• Identify, research, and evaluate prospective foundation funders whose priorities align with Baylor College of Medicine's strategic initiatives. Develop targeted prospect lists and funding strategies for institutional priorities, research programs and faculty.
• Partner closely with faculty, department administrators and the Office of Research to identify funding opportunities, develop competitive proposals and advance institutional funding priorities.
• Coordinate proposal development from concept through submission, working collaboratively with faculty, finance, research administration, and communications staff to ensure proposals are accurate, compelling, compliant, and submitted on time.
• Prepare timely stewardship reports, progress updates, and other donor communications that demonstrate the impact of philanthropic investments and ensure compliance with foundation reporting requirements.
• Participate in foundation cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities, including virtual and in-person meetings, site visits and presentations. Maintain consistent engagement through meaningful outreach, prospect qualification, and stewardship activities to advance relationships and move prospects through the development pipeline.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of all prospect and donor activity in CRM, including contact reports, strategy notes, action plans, proposal tracking, and stewardship documentation.
• Review foundation proposals and communications to ensure consistency with Baylor College of Medicine's messaging, branding, and quality standards. Collaborate with internal partners to produce polished, professional materials.
• Monitor foundation deadlines, proposal calendars, award requirements, and reporting obligations to ensure institutional compliance and effective grants management.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Four years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• At least 3 years of experience in foundation relations or similar experience, with proven results in securing grants.
• Experience in academic medicine, higher education or healthcare preferred.
• Skill in composing letters, memos, articles, proposals and other written communications
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills required. Experience communicating with community stakeholders required.
• Technical proficiency and knowledge (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Blackbaud CRM).
• Ability to work with highly confidential materials and have familiarity with financial information, including ability to understand and review complex grant budgets.
• Demonstrated personal initiative and team player with a positive attitude and professional demeanor.
• Ability to work across multiple deadlines.
• Must reflect the values of Baylor College of Medicine at all times, with particular emphasis on teamwork, collaboration, integrity, and honesty.

Work Authorization Requirement:

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and throughout the duration of employment.

Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.

Requisition ID: 26081

Baylor College of Medicine fosters diversity among its students, trainees, faculty, and staff as a prerequisite to accomplishing our institutional mission and setting standards for excellence in training healthcare providers and biomedical scientists, promoting scientific innovation, and providing patient-centered care. Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.