Our Mission

We in Boston University Development & Alumni Relations (DAR) harness the power of philanthropy to make an excellent education accessible and welcoming to all, and to advance BU’s global leadership in research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice. To support our work, we have built—and are continuing to build—an outstanding team of dynamic, mission-driven advancement professionals who constantly strive to create an environment where everyone belongs. Where it’s not just about a job, but a career and a community.

Now, our Foundation Relations team is looking for an Assistant Director, with deep knowledge of, and extensive training in, the Humanities and Social Sciences, who will increase funding for the University via foundation relationships with the centers, colleges, departments, initiatives, and schools in these specific fields that are located on the Charles River Campus.

Foundation Relations at Boston University

Foundations provide invaluable support to Boston University. One of the largest private universities in the country and a leading global research and teaching institution, BU uses the contributions of private philanthropic foundations (and organizations, associations, and societies) to advance scholarly and scientific research, educational initiatives, and community outreach. University-wide, foundations typically contribute $70 million annually.

Assistant Director

The Assistant Director of Foundation Relations reports to the Associate Vice President of Foundation Relations for the Charles River Campus (CRC) and plays a key role in increasing funding for the University via foundation relationships with the centers, colleges, departments, initiatives, and schools in the Humanities and Social Sciences located on the Charles River Campus.

This position identifies, cultivates, and solicits leadership and major-gift level foundation prospects and works with faculty to prepare requests for funding and associated documentation and reports. Works with interdisciplinary teams across the CRC to maximize the University's fundraising efforts by responding to recurring Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and new funding opportunities. This position will work closely with the CRC Foundation Relations team, as well as with other groups within the larger Development & Alumni Relations (DAR) team.

Essential Functions:

• Assist leadership, faculty, and staff in academic units in the Humanities and Social Sciences to respond to foundation RFPs, nominations for research awards, and other similar funding opportunities. This will include, but not be limited to: (1) identifying local, national, and international foundation prospects, including for University-wide priorities and multidisciplinary initiatives, (2) formulating and implementing strategies for engaging prospects in relationships that lead to funding, (3) preparing formal and informal letters of inquiry (LOIs), proposals, and all associated pre- and post-award documentation (4) and drawing on advanced academic training throughout to understand faculty members’ complex research, match it with well-aligned funders, and “translate” it into compelling and highly competitive proposals. Based also on this training, establish trust and respect and develop rapport and long-term relationships with portfolio area faculty through regular individual, group meetings, and periodic departmental presentations to understand their academic niche, funding aspirations, and how their scholarship aligns with the strategic priorities of the department, school/college, and University writ large.

• Under supervision of the Associate Vice President: (1) manage a portfolio of University foundation prospects focused on the Humanities and Social Sciences by initiating, designing, and executing strategies based on capacity of the prospects to provide support, their existing relationships with the University, and the alignment of their priorities with the University; (2) arrange, coordinate, and participate in cultivation meetings remotely, on campus, or at foundation offices with foundation officials; (3) prepare briefings for visits for appropriate University representatives, including the president, deans, and faculty; debrief and follow-up on visits and meetings; (4) attend professional conferences in the Humanities and Social Sciences that BU faculty and funders in these fields both attend; and (4) organize periodic “Meet the Funder” webinars in partnership with funders, Development, and University colleagues as appropriate to acquaint faculty with foundation program staff and vice versa.

• Keep current with trends in the foundation community by using the web and other database listings, noting grant opportunities, and attending foundation webinars/information sessions. Formulate and communicate the annual foundation plan/goals with a variety of internal stakeholders. Also, stay abreast of the latest developments in Humanistic and Social Scientific scholarship, leveraging academic training and professional networks. Ability to learn University proprietary development software and databases and similar industry tools.

Required Skills

Qualifications:

• PhD in a Humanities or Social Sciences discipline.

• Very strong organizational, analytic, writing, and speaking skills required.

• Willingness to roll up your sleeves and have an entrepreneurial mindset, along with a willingness to get to know faculty and understand their programmatic and research needs; likewise, this position will research and learn about funders’ objectives, strategic goals, and funding targets (both from a personal and an organizational perspective) to match faculty and funder needs.

• Knowledge of how academic departments are structured and work is highly desired.

But that’s not all we’re looking for; we want someone who embodies our values:

• Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect, because we value every member’s contributions and know that leadership can come from anywhere.

• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and a commitment to ensuring that each of us knows we belong here.

• Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another.

• Strategic thinking and curiosity in the relentless pursuit of fresh approaches and measurable results.

• Continuous growth and improvement, both as individuals and as a team.

• Joy and shared appreciation for working hard toward goals that matter.

If this resonates with you and you want to help us in our ambitious next campaign—and maybe do some of your best work as an advancement professional— we encourage you to apply. If you are hesitant to apply because you have not previously performed every responsibility listed in the description, but you do possess transferable skills and the defined qualifications, we still want to hear from you and welcome your application as well.

To learn more about Development & Alumni Relations at Boston University, and other job opportunities, please stop by the DAR Talent website: https://www.bu.edu/dar-talent/.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to complete the employment application process, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 617-358-1796.

Required Experience