Director of Strategic Foundation Partnerships

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. 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