Foundation Relations Program Director

Notre Dame International; South Bend (IN); On-site; USD 99,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Notre Dame is seeking a dynamic, analytical Director of Foundation Relations to grow external support for research and programs from private foundations through alignment strategy, proposal development, and stewardship.

They will work with faculty and staff across engineering and data science to translate technical needs for grantmakers, cultivate partnerships, and manage a portfolio of faculty and foundations toward measurable outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• 3 to 5 years of professional experience in fundraising, grant writing, corporate/foundation relations, or a closely related field.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a proven track record of writing, editing, and finalizing successful proposals, LOIs, or complex reports.
• Demonstrated experience working with high-level stakeholders, managing a portfolio, or cultivating relationships that lead to successful project outcomes.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a proven ability to collaborate across diverse departments, offices, or multi-disciplinary teams.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.
• Must be willing to relocate to South Bend, Indiana, where the position is based.

Responsibilities

• Partner directly with leadership and faculty to surface, explore, and prioritize high-impact academic research for philanthropic solicitation.
• Initiate, execute, and evaluate strategies to expand the foundation prospect pool, creating connections that lead to sustained, long-term partnerships.
• Draft, edit, review, and finalize Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) and full grant proposals in close coordination with faculty, ensuring tight alignment with foundation focus areas.
• Develop and execute an annual plan for proposal submissions, institutional meetings, foundation engagement, and stewardship.
• Facilitate introductions and coordinate campus visits for foundation representatives to meet with faculty and leadership.
• Partner directly with faculty within assigned disciplines to surface, explore, and prioritize academic research for philanthropic solicitation.
• Convene and collaborate with faculty to align their research objectives with specific foundation interests.
• Partner closely with Notre Dame Research (NDR) to develop proposals and ensure administrative alignment.
• Attend faculty presentations, departmental meetings, and college events to stay integrated with the academic community.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Stakeholder management

Fundraising

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Foundation Relations, VP for University Relations

• Full-time

Job Description

The University of Notre Dame is seeking a dynamic, analytical, and highly collaborative Director of Foundation Relations. This pivotal role is charged with growing external support for University research and programs from private foundations through effective alignment strategy, proposal development, and stewardship.

This individual will work directly with Notre Dame faculty, staff, and administrators in engineering, computer science, data science, and related fields to understand, synthesize, and articulate complex technical research and funding needs for a grantmaking audience. They will proactively identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward foundation partners, matching philanthropic and scientific funding opportunities with priority projects. This Director will oversee a portfolio of faculty and foundations and will work to achieve an individual production goal.

The ideal candidate is a highly motivated, creative thinker who can approach and translate complex ideas from multiple angles, possesses superior writing and editing skills, and easily earns credibility within an academic setting. Intellectual curiosity and a strong interest in working with cutting-edge researchers across the University are essential.

Key Responsibilities

Foundation Relations & Portfolio Management

Partner directly with leadership and faculty to surface, explore, and prioritize high-impact academic research for philanthropic solicitation.

Initiate, execute, and evaluate strategies to expand the foundation prospect pool, creating connections that lead to sustained, long-term partnerships.

Research & Proposal Development

Draft, edit, review, and finalize Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) and full grant proposals in close coordination with faculty, ensuring tight alignment with foundation focus areas.

Develop and execute an annual plan for proposal submissions, institutional meetings, foundation engagement, and stewardship.

Facilitate introductions and coordinate campus visits for foundation representatives to meet with faculty and leadership.

Faculty Engagement

Partner directly with faculty within assigned disciplines to surface, explore, and prioritize academic research for philanthropic solicitation.

Convene and collaborate with faculty to align their research objectives with specific foundation interests.

Partner closely with Notre Dame Research (NDR) to develop proposals and ensure administrative alignment.

Attend faculty presentations, departmental meetings, and college events to stay integrated with the academic community.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• 3 to 5 years of professional experience in fundraising, grant writing, corporate/foundation relations, or a closely related field.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a proven track record of writing, editing, and finalizing successful proposals, Letters of Inquiry (LOIs), or complex reports.
• Demonstrated experience working with high-level stakeholders, managing a portfolio, or cultivating relationships that lead to successful project outcomes.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a proven ability to collaborate across diverse departments, offices, or multi-disciplinary teams.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.
• Must be willing to relocate to South Bend, Indiana, where the position is based.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in a relevant discipline.
• Deep familiarity with a high-level academic research environment, including an understanding of university structures, faculty culture, and the mechanisms of academic research enterprise.
• Direct experience in foundation relations within higher education, with documented success in securing major awards.

Additional Information

Starts in the low $110ks, commensurate with experience.

This position is located in South Bend, Indiana.

The University ofNotreDameseeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment. Moreover,NotreDameprohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a).Westronglyencourageapplicationsfrom candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.

Stewardship & Donor Relations, VP for University Relations