Associate Director, Foundation Relations & Strategic Partnerships

School of Medicine

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

OCCUPATIONAL SUMMARY

Advance Duke Health’s mission in research, education and healthcare by building and supporting successful and lasting relationships with foundations and private grant-making organizations. As a member of the Foundation Relations and Strategic Partnerships team in Duke Health Development and Alumni Affairs (DHDAA), serve as a frontline fundraiser toward a primary goal of increased philanthropic support for the identified institutional priorities of Duke Health. Design, coordinate, and implement strategies to secure gift and grant funding from private, family, and corporate foundations, as well as from other private grant-making organizations, at the local, regional, and national level. Work closely with faculty members to articulate the current and potential impact of their work in alignment with mission and priorities of prospective funders. Maintain positive, productive, and ongoing interaction with senior leaders of Duke Health, faculty, physicians, and colleagues in Development, Research Administration, and other partner offices across campus. Proactively identify new prospects for Duke Health based on grant-making potential and fit with institutional priorities. Exercise autonomy, diplomacy and persistence while navigating the complex academic medical center environment and representing the organization to foundation leaders of the highest level.

WORK PERFORMED

Fundraising Activities – 75%

• Cultivate, solicit and steward foundation prospects within assigned portfolio and primarily at the major gift level ($100K or more), traveling as necessary.
• Research and write foundation proposals; review and edit proposals developed by others.
• Keep abreast of foundation priorities and funding trends to recommend highly coordinated and proactive cultivation and solicitation strategies to maximize funding success.
• Guide faculty members in the preparation of concept papers, letters of inquiry, and proposals to compellingly articulate the alignment and relevance of their work to foundation funding priorities.
• Proactively identify new foundation prospects for Duke Health priorities. Direct research requests and analyze information on foundation prospects to qualify interest, determine giving potential and contribute to the development of cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Identify opportunities for Duke Health leaders to visit foundations or private grant-making organizations. Develop strategy for leader involvement and oversee creation of briefing materials. As appropriate, lead planning meetings to prepare Duke leaders and faculty for positive and productive interactions. Similarly, assist in planning and staffing for site visits by foundation leaders.
• Build relationships with senior leaders, board members, and other key representatives at foundations and private grant-making organizations to further inform these strategies and, when possible, to cultivate them as advocates for Duke Health priorities.
• Develop or edit reports, brochures and other materials; assist with publicity arrangements on important gifts, programs, accomplishments or events.

Collaboration and Outreach Activities – 15%

• Build partnerships, and establish and maintain regular communication with faculty members to identify programmatic strengths and expertise that can be matched to foundation funding opportunities. Also, increase the number of faculty referrals of foundation and company contacts in order to develop institutionally coordinated strategies toward larger solicitations.
• Support major gift officers across Duke Health to navigate the complexities of foundation fundraising and grants administration processes, providing expertise and ensuring compliance with institutional research administration requirements.
• Work with colleagues across the institution to collaborate on prospects with joint or multiple interests.

Administrative Activities – 10%

• Monitor deadlines and ensure appropriate dissemination of funding opportunities.
• Maintain knowledge of requirements in grants administration and apply within context of best practices in cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of non-governmental funders and prospects.
• Follow procedures in coordination with the Office of Alumni and Development Records and the Office of Research Administration to ensure effective recording, accounting, acknowledgement and reporting follow-up on all gifts and grants resulting from solicitations.
• Develop contact reports and record activities in moves management system and associated tracking systems maintained by the Foundation Relations & Strategic Partnerships team.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.

Duke Health Development & Alumni Affairs is building a flexible and hybrid workplace. All team members must have access to and maintain a secure home office environment with high-speed internet service and work collaboratively with others using a variety of technologies and tools. Depending on the type of position and work performed, or as deemed by manager, some positions may be required to work intermittently in an office located in Durham, NC.

DEPARTMENTAL PREFERENCES\SKILLS

• Advanced degree.
• Demonstrated track record of successful collaborations with faculty members and, in particular, experience developing grant proposals or administering grant funding from foundations. Experience with science and/or medicine is strongly recommended.
• Preference for experience in a complex, multi-tiered work environment. Ideal background will include work in foundation relations, research development, science communication, program development, or complex project management in an academic medical center, in another academic setting, or in a healthcare environment. Must be able to manage and prioritize requests coming from different offices and to balance a deadline- and goal-based environment.
• Must have a proven writing ability, specifically to write or edit proposals and letters of inquiry fluidly and thoughtfully, either in cooperation with faculty, principal investigators, and development colleagues, or initiated independently. Must be willing to provide writing samples for an interview with an emphasis on proposal materials.
• Must be able to work with colleagues throughout Duke Health and Duke University on the development of funding opportunities for foundations and corporations who have multiple interests at Duke Health and Duke University.
• Must be able to represent DHDAA to foundations and other philanthropic organizations with the highest capacity of giving and who have an interest in Duke Health and Duke University.
• Must have excellent verbal communication skills, as the Associate Director will be asked to represent the office to both faculty members and to foundation representatives.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Work requires communications, analytical and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program.

Experience

Work requires five years experience in alumni affairs, public relations, fund raising, sales and promotions, marketing, student activities or a related field in order to acquire skills necessary to administer, coordinate and/or participate in fund raising activities.

OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.