Foundation Relations Program Director

Notre Dame International; South Bend, Northern (IN, KY); Hybrid; USD 99,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Notre Dame seeks a dynamic Director of Foundation Relations to grow external support for engineering and computing initiatives through strategy, proposal development, and stewardship. You will work with faculty to translate complex technical research into compelling foundation opportunities.

Partner with the College of Engineering and the Data, AI, and Computing Initiative to cultivate relationships, coordinate campus visits, and drive successful philanthropic funding for

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; 3–5 years in fundraising, grant writing, corporate/foundation relations, or related field.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication with proven proposal writing/editing.
• Experience working with high-level stakeholders and managing a portfolio.
• Ability to collaborate across departments and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.
• Willingness to relocate to South Bend, Indiana.

Responsibilities

• Partner with leadership and faculty to surface high-impact research for philanthropic solicitation.
• Expand the foundation prospect pool and build sustained, long-term partnerships.
• Draft, edit, review LOIs and full grant proposals with faculty.
• Develop annual plans for proposals, meetings, and foundation engagement.
• Coordinate campus visits for foundation representatives to meet with faculty/leadership.
• Collaborate with Notre Dame Research to align proposals with research objectives.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Grant writing

Stakeholder management

Collaboration

Communication

Relocation readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced 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, focusing primarily on a portfolio supporting the College of Engineering and Notre Dame’s Data, AI, and Computing Initiative.

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 across the engineering and computational enterprise. 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 sophisticated technical, computational, and scientific concepts for non-technical audiences, possesses superior writing and editing skills, and easily earns credibility within an academic STEM setting. Intellectual curiosity and a strong interest in working with cutting-edge researchers in engineering, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced computing are essential.

Key Responsibilities

Foundation Relations & Portfolio Management

Partner directly with leadership and faculty within the College of Engineering and the Data, AI, and Computing Initiative 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 (such as research development or STEM-focused grant management).
• 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.
• Background or strong familiarity with data science, artificial intelligence, computing technologies, or engineering research fields.
• 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.

Office of VP-University Relations, VP for University Relations