Director, Foundation Relations

Lehigh University; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 83,910 - 102,080; Full time

Job summary

Lehigh University's Development and Alumni Relations team is seeking a Director of Foundation Relations to lead strategic engagement with foundations that advance Lehigh's academic mission. You will coordinate foundation partnerships, craft proposals, and steward funders across research priorities.

The role requires experience in major gift fundraising and grant writing, with a track record of building a multi-year funding pipeline and working with campus leaders to align projects with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Liberal Arts, STEM or Business field.
• Five to eight years of work related experience.
• Experience with major gift fundraising, writing foundation grants and capital campaigns.
• Familiarity with the higher education fundraising landscape.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities.
• Strong analytical skills applied to prospect research, portfolio strategy, and pipeline reporting.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing grant proposals and foundation briefings.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage foundation relations to support Lehigh's strategic initiatives, working closely with academic and Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) leaders.
• Research and identify corporate, foundation, and institutional partners to build a multi-year funding pipeline for research, programs, and college-wide priorities.
• Develop short- and long-term engagement strategies to connect with funders at all levels, including program staff, trustees, and C-suite executives.
• Steward key external relationships through campus visits, funder meetings, and written reports while articulating the college's value proposition to drive philanthropic support.
• Collaborate with academic leaders, faculty, and staff to build comprehensive partnerships with foundations and corporations that drive gifts, grants, research, and data agreements.
• Arrange high-level visits and briefings for college leadership, foundation executives, and institutional partners, ensuring thorough planning and follow-up.
• Work with alumni, parents, Trustees, and senior academic leaders to utilize their personal and professional connections to gain access to key strategic partnerships.
• Collaborate with academic leaders to design projects that align with university priorities and funding partners, while actively participating in and identifying professional development and training opportunities for CFR staff.
• Write complex proposals and develop budgets in collaboration with funding partners and internal stakeholders, while consulting with departments on new project opportunities.
• Work closely with other DAR units to coordinate workflows and prospect strategies, ensuring all activities are tracked in the database of record.

Skills

Fundraising experience

Grant writing

Communication skills

Portfolio management

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Liberal Arts, STEM or Business field

Job description

Lehigh University's Development and Alumni Relations team is seeking a Director of Foundation Relations to lead strategic engagement with foundations that advance Lehigh's academic mission. If you bring a sophisticated understanding of foundation philanthropy and thrive in a collaborative, research-driven environment, this role offers meaningful scope and genuine institutional support.

Position Number: S99340

This position is a Grade: 11 - 40 with an approximate salary range of $83,910-$102,080 and is subject to change based on experience, skills and qualifications.

Key Accountabilities

• Coordinate and manage foundation relations to support Lehigh's strategic initiatives, working closely with academic and Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) leaders.
• Research and identify corporate, foundation, and institutional partners to build a multi-year funding pipeline for research, programs, and college-wide priorities.
• Develop short- and long-term engagement strategies to connect with funders at all levels, including program staff, trustees, and C-suite executives.
• Steward key external relationships through campus visits, funder meetings, and written reports while articulating the college's value proposition to drive philanthropic support.
• Collaborate with academic leaders, faculty, and staff to build comprehensive partnerships with foundations and corporations that drive gifts, grants, research, and data agreements.
• Arrange high-level visits and briefings for college leadership, foundation executives, and institutional partners, ensuring thorough planning and follow-up.
• Work with alumni, parents, Trustees, and senior academic leaders to utilize their personal and professional connections to gain access to key strategic partnerships.
• Collaborate with academic leaders to design projects that align with university priorities and funding partners, while actively participating in and identifying professional development and training opportunities for Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) staff.
• Write complex proposals and develop budgets in collaboration with funding partners and internal stakeholders, while consulting with departments on new project opportunities.
• Work closely with other Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) units to coordinate workflows and prospect strategies, ensuring all activities are tracked in the database of record.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Liberal Arts, STEM or Business field
• Five to eight years of work related experience
• Experience with major gift fundraising, writing foundation grants and capital campaigns
• Familiarity with the higher education fundraising landscape
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities simultaneously
• Strong analytical skills applied to prospect research, portfolio strategy, and pipeline reporting
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing grant proposals and foundation briefings

Why Lehigh

Lehigh University offers a distinctive environment where a research-intensive academic culture meets a close-knit, engaged community in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. As a member of the Development and Alumni Relations team, you'll work at the intersection of intellectual ambition and philanthropic impact, connecting foundations with faculty whose work genuinely advances knowledge. Lehigh offers a comprehensive and family friendly benefits package which includes but is not limited to Health Care, Retirement and Educational benefits. Lehigh University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate. We are committed to a culturally and intellectually diverse community and we seek qualified candidates to contribute to the university's mission. This is a role where your relationship-building translates directly into outcomes that students, researchers, and communities feel.

Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing an accommodation for any part of the interview or hiring process may contact Lehigh's Accommodations Specialist.

Special Considerations

• This position includes driving as a routine function, therefore a valid Driver's License and a good driving record is required.

Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the position.

Advertised: July 21, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: