Assistant Director, Foundation Relations

Special Instructions to Applicants:

All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston Texas Rice University is ranked among the nations top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a residential college system which supports students intellectually emotionally and culturally through social events intramural sports student plays lectures series courses and student government. Developing close-knit diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rices culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name RICE Responsibility Integrity Community and Excellence.

Position Summary:
The Assistant Director Foundation Relations will work on the Foundation Relations team and engage with faculty members university leadership and Development and Alumni Relations colleagues to identify investigate analyze organize and evaluate foundation prospects for research and university funding by researching relevant databases and information sources analyzing emerging trends in foundation philanthropy and understanding Rice Universitys priorities and addition the Assistant Director Foundation Relations will support stewardship communication efforts on the Foundation Relations team.

The ideal candidate is curious and excited about emerging trends in philanthropy is experienced in converting research into effective strategic recommendations possesses strong written and verbal communication skills understands university research and grant development and thrives in a collaborative working environment.

Workplace Requirements:
This position is offered as a hybrid role combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaborationPer Rice policy 440 work arrangements may be subject to change.

*Exempt (salaried) positions underFLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelors degree
• 1 years of related professional work experience researching foundations and grant opportunities working in a fundraising environment and/or working in library sciences information sciences or a related field

Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to efficiently and effectively search retrieve and synthesize information from public databases and filings particularly IRS Form 990-PF and 990-T to extract key details on private foundation structure assets giving history grantmaking patterns trustee/staff affiliations and financial capacity
• Proficiency with specialized prospect research tools (e.g. Foundation Center/Candid etc.) and a foundational understanding of their underlying methodologies
• Ability to navigate complex non-standardized private foundation websites annual reports and digital repositories to identify specific program interests funding priorities eligibility requirements application processes and strategic plans that align with university research
• Skill in utilizing advanced search engine techniques and monitoring tools (e.g. Google Alerts specialized news aggregators) to track foundation news leadership changes grant announcements and emerging philanthropic trends in real-time
• Skill in developing clear concise and persuasive written research briefs profiles and pipeline reports for varied internal audiences (faculty foundation relations officers deans and vice presidents)
• Ability to utilize time management and project management skills to work well under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite and Google products
• Strong verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines and schedules

Preferences:

• Masters degree
• 2 years of professional work experience in one or more of the following:
  • Prospect research
  • Corporate or foundation fundraising
  • Grants writing and management
• High level of maturity and emotional intelligence with the capability of exercising good judgment
• Understanding of the structure mission and funding landscape of a major Research I (R1) university including familiarity with diverse research disciplines (STEM humanities social sciences medicine etc.) and common institutional priorities
• Knowledge of fundraising database software and public records

Essential Functions:

• Takes part in faculty and research staff meetings to understand funding needs and inform research funding strategies
• Builds actionable and strategic prospect research plans and documentation in collaboration with faculty and Foundation Relations team members
• Collaborates with Foundation Relations team members to understand foundation RFP cycles and deadlines plan action items and next steps and prepare background materials for foundation visits and meetings
• Maintains an actionable record of institutional priorities and foundation opportunities
• Assists with university-wide communication of requests for proposals emerging funding opportunities etc.
• Assists in preparing stewardship reports conveying institutional history and giving
• Performs other duties as assigned

Additional Functions:

• Collaborates with campus partners in the Office of Research
• Manages multiple projects effectively while executing tasks and meeting deadlines
• Updates and monitors data in OwlConnect the campus-wide CRM
• Works in an open office environment
• Involves limited local and infrequent out-of-town travel

Rice University HR Benefits: Mission and Values:Mission and Values Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race color religion age sex sexual orientation gender identity national or ethnic origin genetic information disability or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process please contact Rice Universitys Disability Resource Center at or for support.

If you have any additional questions please email us at Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.