Director of Corporate and Foundation Engagement

Saint Peter's University; Jersey City (NJ); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Tuition remission

Job summary

Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City seeks a Director of Corporate and Foundation Engagement to secure funding from corporations and private foundations. You will manage a portfolio of donors, identify opportunities, and build partnerships that advance student success, research, and community engagement.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Leadership and Planned Giving, you will lead grant development, collaboration with faculty, and multi-year funding strategies, while ensuring

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.
• Five to eight years of progressively responsible experience in institutional advancement, corporate and foundation relations, fundraising, grant development, or related field.
• Experience preparing successful grant proposals, philanthropic solicitations, or corporate sponsorship requests.
• Experience cultivating relationships with corporate partners, foundation representatives, institutional donors, or other external stakeholders.
• Experience managing multiple projects, funding opportunities, and deadlines.
• Experience in higher education, capital campaigns, or securing major multi-year philanthropic commitments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement fundraising strategies to increase corporate and foundation support.
• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors with cultivation and solicitation plans.
• Conduct ~60 prospect and donor visits annually, in-person and virtual.
• Lead preparation, editing, and submission of letters of inquiry, proposals, sponsorship requests, and reports.
• Collaborate with faculty and departments to develop competitive proposals with clear objectives and budgets.
• Coordinate timelines, approvals, and documentation for submissions.
• Maintain tracking systems for opportunities, deadlines, awards, and reporting.
• Coordinate with offices to support grant reporting, recognition, and stewardship.
• Develop corporate sponsorships for events (e.g., Hearts & Minds Scholarship Gala) and partnerships.
• Represent Saint Peter’s University at external events to cultivate funding opportunities.
• Prepare proposals and briefings for leadership and donors; ensure timely and accurate communications.

Skills

Relationship building

Negotiation

Project management

Excellent writing

Editing

Research

Interpersonal communication

Presentation

Strategic thinking

Microsoft Office

Prospect management systems

Grant research tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

advancement databases

Prospect management systems

Grant research tools

Job description

About Saint Peter’s UniversitySaint Peter’s is one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States. Established in 1872, the University blends a unique learning experience shaped by rigorous academics, internships that provide real-world experience, community service, and a genuine, caring community that supports alumni long after graduation. Saint Peter’s offers more than 50 undergraduate majors as well as master’s level and doctorate program.Saint Peter’s University’s diverse campus community, collegial and inclusive culture, and commitment to excellence, education, innovation and community engagement contribute to our success and ensures our employees flourish. The University merges quality academics, distinguished and exceptional faculty and staff, and modern facilities to engage and challenge its 4,000 students who share in the desire to shape the future through insight, intellectual exploration, discernment, and community service and engagement.Position SummarySaint Peter’s University seeks a strategic, relationship-oriented, and results-driven Director of Corporate and Foundation Engagement to secure philanthropic support from corporations and private foundations. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Leadership and Planned Giving, the Director will develop and implement strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward funders whose interests align with the University’s mission, strategic priorities, and commitment to Jesuit Catholic higher education.The Director will manage a portfolio of corporate and foundation prospects, lead the development of compelling funding proposals, and build partnerships that advance student success, academic excellence, experiential learning, research, and community engagement. Working collaboratively with University leadership, faculty, and administrative departments, the Director will translate institutional priorities into competitive funding opportunities and sustainable philanthropic relationships.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesCorporate and Foundation FundraisingDevelop and implement strategies to increase philanthropic support from corporations and private foundations in alignment with University priorities.Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective and existing corporate and foundation donors.Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors, developing individualized cultivation plans, solicitation strategies, and stewardship activities.Conduct approximately 60 substantive prospect and donor visits annually, including in-person and virtual meetings.Establish annual fundraising goals, monitor progress, and report on solicitation activity, proposal pipelines, and philanthropic results.Identify opportunities for multi-year, programmatic, scholarship, and other philanthropic support.Collaborate with the Director of Prospect Management and Research to identify and prioritize prospective funders and strengthen prospect development strategies.Grant Development and Proposal WritingResearch and assess corporate and foundation funding opportunities aligned with the University’s academic, student success, research, and community engagement priorities.Lead the preparation, writing, editing, and submission of letters of inquiry, grant proposals, sponsorship requests, and grant reports.Partner with faculty, academic leadership, and administrative departments to develop competitive proposals with clear objectives, budgets, outcomes, and measures of impact.Coordinate proposal timelines, internal approvals, submission requirements, and supporting documentation to ensure timely and accurate submissions.Maintain an effective tracking system for funding opportunities, proposal deadlines, funding decisions, award requirements, and reporting obligations.Coordinate with the Office of Faculty Research and Sponsored Programs on appropriate government funding opportunities that support institutional priorities.Work with relevant University offices to support grant reporting, compliance, recognition, and stewardship.Corporate Engagement and Strategic PartnershipsBuild and expand relationships with corporations and employers at the local, regional, and national levels.Collaborate with Academic Affairs, the Center for Career Engagement and Experiential Learning, Admissions, faculty, and other University departments to develop partnerships that benefit students and advance institutional priorities.Identify corporate support opportunities for scholarships, internships, experiential learning, workforce development, academic programs, research, and community engagement.Develop and secure corporate sponsorships for signature University events, including the Hearts & Minds Scholarship Gala, as well as other initiatives as assigned.Represent the University at appropriate corporate, foundation, professional, and community events to cultivate relationships and identify new funding opportunities.Stewardship and Institutional CollaborationWork closely with Advancement leadership and colleagues to coordinate fundraising strategies and maximize philanthropic support.Collaborate with University leadership, faculty, and administrative departments to identify funding priorities and develop compelling cases for support.Develop stewardship strategies that demonstrate the impact of philanthropic investments and strengthen long-term donor relationships.Prepare proposals, briefings, presentations, and reports for University leadership, prospective funders, and donors.Maintain accurate and timely records of prospect interactions, solicitations, proposals, gifts, and stewardship activities in the University's advancement database.Perform other related duties as assigned by the Assistant Vice President of Leadership and Planned Giving and/or Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Strategic Engagement.Any other duty or responsibility assigned by the supervisor.Salary Range: $80,000 - $90,000Benefits:Along with a competitive salary, we provide a robust benefits package to support your health and future goals.Key Benefits Include:Paid Time Off: Paid holidays, personal days, vacation, and sick leaveHealth Coverage: Health insurance, dental insurance, and vision insuranceLife Insurance: Employer-provided life insuranceLife & Disability Insurance: Voluntary life and voluntary disability coverageRetirement Savings: 401(k) plan with Roth and Traditional optionsTuition Remission: An attractive tuition remission policy for employees and their dependentsAdditional Perks: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Voluntary Legal plan, FSA and moreThe well-being of our employees is a priority for our University, and we are committed to promoting your success and well-being.Required Qualifications:Organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic environment.Commitment to community engagement, service, leadership development, or related work.Education and ExperienceBachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in a relevant field preferred.Five to eight years of progressively responsible experience in institutional advancement, corporate and foundation relations, fundraising, grant development, or a related field.Demonstrated experience preparing successful grant proposals, philanthropic solicitations, or corporate sponsorship requests.Experience cultivating relationships with corporate partners, foundation representatives, institutional donors, or other external stakeholders.Experience managing multiple projects, funding opportunities, and competing deadlines.Experience in higher education, capital campaigns, or securing major and multi-year philanthropic commitments preferred.Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesExcellent writing, editing, research, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.Strong relationship-building, negotiation, and project management abilities.Ability to connect funder interests with institutional priorities through compelling proposals and measurable outcomes.Strong organizational and analytical skills, including the ability to manage a prospect portfolio and fundraising pipeline.Ability to work independently and collaboratively, exercise sound judgment, and meet established goals and deadlines.Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with advancement databases, prospect management systems, and grant research tools.Commitment to ethical fundraising, donor confidentiality, and responsible stewardship of philanthropic resources.Commitment to the mission and values of Saint Peter’s University and an appreciation for Jesuit Catholic higher education.Additional RequirementsWillingness to travel for donor meetings, funder engagement, and University events.Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends as required.Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation as needed for business-related travel.Experience developing and maintaining community partnerships.Experience working directly with community-based organizations.Familiarity with service-learning, civic engagement, volunteer management, or leadership development programs.