Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations

The role of the Director of Corporate and Foundation Engagement is to significantly grow the philanthropic and sponsorship revenue that Northern Illinois University Foundation secures from corporations and foundations. S/he reports to the President and CEO of the NIU Foundation. As a senior member of the Foundation giving team, this individual is charged with setting the direction, implementing and ensuring the success of the corporate and foundation fundraising program.

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities include identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts to the NIU Foundation from corporations and foundations. In addition, the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations manages the overall growth of the corporate and foundation program from creating a robust annual donor base to creating strategies for securing major gifts. This position will work closely with NIU’s Alumni Association, and key members of the foundation including the Director of Board Relations and Chief of Staff, the Chief Development Officer, Major Gift Officers for the colleges and program, and the Stewardship team. To be successful the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations will need to collaborate with faculty and staff across NIU. The fundraising goal for this position will begin at $2M annually and grow to $5M annually.

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree required.
2. Seven to ten years of corporate and foundation fundraising experience.
3. Highly collaborative with experience working with complex organizations.
4. Self-starter with a highly entrepreneurial spirit.
5. Willing and able to travel, as needed to manage portfolio of corporate and foundation prospects.
6. Management experience and ability to grow and lead a team.
7. Track record of not-for-profit higher education experience.
8. Strong sales and closing skills.
9. A demonstrated track record of principal and planned giving fundraising.
10. Strong communication, organizational, interpersonal, administrative and managerial skills.
11. Must be able to multi-task in a fast paced environment.
12. Ability to maintain confidentiality.
13. Willingness to commit to the mission and goals of Northern Illinois University and the NIU
14. Familiarity with donor databases and gift planning tools (e.g. Millennium, The Raiser’s Edge, PG Calc).
15. Demonstrable commitment to the highest standard of ethical and professional conduct in accordance with the CASEStatement of Ethics, the Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethical Principles and Standards, and The Donor Bill of Rights. (Membership not required.) 

Preferred Qualifications

1. Master’s degree preferred.

List of the knowledge, skills, and abilities critical to the performance of this position

1. Excellent interpersonal skills to relate to donors, volunteers, colleagues and university leadership.
2. Self-motivated (a “self-starter”); innovative and ability to work with considerable independence within the context of a team environment and a network of relationships.
3. Superior written and oral communication, negotiating, organizational, analytical and fundraising skills, including the ability to interpret financial information and manage data.
4. Familiarity with financial planning, tax and charitable gift laws and planned giving vehicles and methods.
5. Knowledge of university governance and academic administrative and financial policies and guidelines.
6. Must be able to travel frequently; some international travel may be required.
7. This position requires the handling of highly sensitive and confidential information and requires an exemplary track record of professionalism, maturity and discretion.

University, Department, and Community description:

Northern Illinois University is a comprehensive research university offering programs from the baccalaureate through the doctorate. Colleges include business, education, engineering and engineering technology, law, liberal arts and sciences, health and human sciences, and visual and performing arts. On-campus enrollment is approximately 18,000 students. The university also offers more than 200 extension courses each semester to students in communities throughout northern Illinois.

The main campus is located in DeKalb, 65 miles west of Chicago's "Loop" and 40 miles southeast of Rockford. In addition to the main campus, NIU has three education centers in Hoffman Estates, Rockford, and Naperville. DeKalb/Sycamore, with a population of about 50,000, is a modern paradox, a rural/urban community. It is simultaneously recognized for its manufacturing and rich farmlands. The site of the first manufacture of barbed wire and the development of hybrid seed corn are evidence of its diversified history. The blend of industry and agriculture, coupled with the cultural and recreational facilities of the university and supplemented by easy access to Chicago and Rockford, provide an enjoyable environment in which to live.

The Division of University Advancement is responsible for all friend-raising and fund-raising at Northern Illinois University. Programs within the division are responsible for building strong relationships with NIU alumni (the NIU Alumni Association) and managing philanthropy to benefit the university (the NIU Foundation).

The President/CEO of the NIU Foundation, who also serves as the Vice President for University Advancement, provides administrative direction for the entire Division of University Advancement, and the office of the President/CEO coordinates management of the NIU Foundation Board of Directors, who have fiduciary responsibility for management of the endowment as well as utilization of philanthropic funds on behalf of NIU. 

Required Applicant Documents

Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Cover Letter
List of three references
Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire

Please submit application and documents through NIU online employment system at http://employment.niu.edu/postings/46784. Review of completed applications will begin on August 28, 2019, however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.  For questions, contact Melissa Nigro, mnigro@niu.edu.

EEO Statement , ADA Accommodation, Clery Act Information, and Visa Policy

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action. 

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Acting Ethics and Compliance Officer, Title IX Coordinator
Altgeld Hall 238
TitleIXCoordinator@niu.edu
815-753-5560

Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
Citigroup Center
500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475
Chicago, IL 60661-4544
312-730-1560
OCR.Chicago@ed.gov

NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person’s disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form. This form can be obtained by contacting the Office of Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ADEI) at 815-753-8399.

NIU provides information regarding campus security, personal and fire safety, including topics such as: crime prevention, emergency response procedures and crime reporting policies, in addition to crime and fire statistics for the most recent three calendar years. The Annual Security Report containing security and safety information is available at www.safety.niu.edu/clery or by contacting the University Police Department and Public Safety Department at 815-753-9628 to receive a hard copy. The Annual Fire Safety Report is available at www.niu.edu/clery/fire_report.pdf or by contacting the Environmental Health and Safety Department at 815-753-0404 to receive a hard copy.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document from upon hire.