Director of Grants and Corporate Relations

The Director of Grants and Corporate Relations is responsible for assisting in the implementation of a comprehensive grant and corporate relations program to meet the University’s strategic needs. Reporting to the VP for Development, the Director of Grants and Corporate Relations will develop fundraising and partnership initiatives in support of a wide range of University priorities targeted to foundations, corporations, professional associations, and other private organizations with the capacity to make significant gifts and other contributions to the University. This position will manage the grant application process from beginning to end and work with CSU’s leadership to determine areas of need to help drive the grant process. The director will also be responsible for identifying, coordinating, and maintaining relationships with corporate partners as part of a comprehensive University sponsorship program. This position will have a broad focus and include potential grant and corporate support from private, public, federal, and state sources. The position will work collaboratively with the President’s office, college deans, enrollment office, athletic department, and development staff to meet the fund-raising needs of the University. Professionally interacts with all internal and external customers using strong interpersonal skills.

Duties/Responsibilities:

The performance of the duties outlined below must be carried out within the mission of CSU and to actively demonstrate an attitude of willing service and teamwork.

Development Initiatives (90%):

• Identify programs and activities of the University that can attract external support and respond to external requests for proposals.
• Utilize available resources- such as research databases, Raiser’s Edge, social media, and online newsletters- to discover potential institutional donors, including regional, national, and global, private and governmental organizations, whose interests reflect the University’s priorities.
• Develop and implement strategies to foster engagement, build support, and create strong, collaborative relationship across various departments within the University
• Identify and cultivate new prospects; work to expand relationships with current corporate, foundations, and other private donors and partners.
• Working closely with faculty, staff, and administration to develop projects, programs and capital letters of inquiry, applications, proposals, etc. to be submitted on behalf of the University for funding consideration; managing internal and external processes for proposal generation and submission.
• Provide appropriate stewardship for corporate/foundation donors as needed, for example, writing thank you letters to donors from various University representatives; arranging site visits, working on stewardship, progress, and financial reports on deadline; reviewing and managing overall stewardship activities.
• Develop a comprehensive work plan to determine, meet, and exceed metrics as determined by the VP for Development such as research goals, gift and grants income goals, solicitations, contacts, and stewardship activities. Design and implement strategies to achieve goals.
• Actively manages portfolio of foundation and corporate prospects (number to be determined annually). 
• Meets specific dollar goals for grants presented and gifts raised prospects (number to be determined annually).
• Keep current with trends in the foundation and corporate philanthropy community.
• In coordination with the Office of Enrollment, assists with the sponsorship/partnership efforts of the university in support of university goals for enrollment and corporate resource development. Collaborates with team members across campus (i.e. enrollment, development, athletics, student life, academics, and Global Charleston) to coordinate a comprehensive corporate sponsorship program.
• Manage communication with prospects and current foundation/corporate donors to understand emerging interests and to identify areas of mutual interest between the University and the institutes’ priorities.
• Work with other University development staff in identifying alumni and friends of the University with influence at corporations, foundations, and other organizations whose priorities reflect the University’s activities.
• Collaborate with University leadership and coordinate joint efforts with selected faculty to determine commonalities and leverage private funding for government-supported research or programs.
• Administer corporate and foundation research databases and contracts with appropriate vendors; Manage all data records for institutional prospects and donors in Raiser’s Edge to fulfill application and reporting requirements and to track stewardship activities.
• Be an active member in community networking programs and represent the University at external community events and functions.

General Duties (10%):

• Creates an annual work plan that includes relationship management strategies, travel approaches/accomplishments, gift closing tactics, communications and events.
• Completes regular entries and call reports within the Raiser’s Edge database system concerning donor prospect contacts.
• Attends internal and external functions (including early morning, evening and weekend events) and interacts with potential donors in the Tri-county metropolitan region and beyond. 
• Attends Development staff meetings and events
• Incorporates principles of teamwork with all organizational levels in the resolution, completion and follow-up of various responsibilities.
• Enhances professional growth and development and keeps informed of current trends and practices in the areas of development, grant writing strategies, major gift solicitation and changes within the business community by participation in continuing education courses, professional organizations, seminars and workshops, reading current literature and maintaining professional contacts in the community.
• Performs other functionally related duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times. 
• Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in corporate or foundation relations.
• Grant writing experience within higher educations preferred.
• Knowledge of fundraising including grant and proposal writing and interaction with corporate and foundation officers.
• Ability to work well with faculty, staff, students, and various offices across the University.
• Excellent written, oral communication, and computer skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience in working with deans, faculty, administration, and president in program development initiatives.

CHARLESTON SOUTHERN IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Charleston Southern University is a Christian university and tobacco-free campus.  We do not illegally discriminate based on race, age, color, national or ethnic origin, disability, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including but not limited to lactation), religion, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other basis on which the university is prohibited from discrimination under local, state or federal law, in its employment or in the provision of its services, including but not limited to its programs and activities, admissions, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and university-administered programs.  In order to fulfill its purpose, the university may legally discriminate on the basis of religion in employment.  The university has been granted exemption from certain regulations promulgated under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 which conflict with the University’s religious tenets and core values.

To apply, please complete the online application below and attach a resume.  Entering untrue or inaccurate information will result in disqualification for consideration of vacant positions, or subsequent termination after hire.  This position will remain open until filled.  By completing this application you are giving Charleston Southern University the authority to contact any person, educational institution, current or former employer, or company to disclose in good faith any information they may have regarding your qualifications and fitness for employment including, but not limited to, those you have listed in your application materials.  Prior to a final offer of employment, the selected candidate will be required to submit to a background check including, but not limited to, employment verification, educational and other credential verification, criminal background check, and reference check.  Applicants who will drive for the University will be required to complete a background check on their driving record.