Director of Development, Corporate and Foundation Relations

Minimum Hiring Standards:

• Bachelors degree and two years of experience of gifts of $25000 or more; or a combination of education and related experience.

Preferred Hiring Qualifications:

• Track record of securing grants

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• A collaborative team-oriented style that emphasizes shared wins over individual credit

• Strong intrinsic motivation and a commitment to excellence

• The highest levels of integrity and discretion

• Exceptional interpersonal skills

• Actively contributes to our positive team culture

• Empowers and mentors colleagues

• Adaptable and flexible in a dynamic environment

ABOUT UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT

Georgia State University Advancement works to further Georgia States status as a national leader in student success research and innovation and cultural impact. By connecting with alumni engaging donors and increasing philanthropic support for students and scholars were helping to transform lives and build our global community. The University Advancement Division furthers the university and its mission through several departments including Development Corporate & Foundation Relations Alumni Relations and the Georgia State University Foundation.

Corporate and Foundation Relations

The Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) is a dynamic and creative team that fosters meaningful and transformational partnerships between Georgia State and foundation and corporate donors.

WHAT MAKES UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT A GREAT PLACE TO WORK

• Generous benefits including health dental vision tuition assistance retirement etc.

• A knowledge-sharing organization that works collaboratively with cross-campus and external partners

• Professional development opportunity and mentorship

• A rapidly growing center within an academic setting

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Job Summary

University Advancement is seeking a Director of Development Corporate and Foundation Relations.

The Director Corporate and Foundation Relations will be a key member of a growing CFR team. Our goal is to secure transformational grant funding from foundation and corporate partners to advance the mission of Georgia State. In this role you will have the deeply rewarding experience of building authentic relationships with program officers directors executives and other key leaders at foundations and companies in Atlanta and around the world. You will represent GSU and articulate its top priorities and funding needs. Your critical thinking and strategic mind will allow you to gain a deep understanding of funders priorities and find alignment with the universitys. Your expert communication and active listening skills will allow you to craft powerful written materials; give presentations; find commonality; generate goodwill; express gratitude; and create enduring partnerships.

Together we will secure major philanthropic support for GSU priorities from research to scholarships to innovative programs to capital funding and much more.

As an R1 research university Georgia State has more than doubled its research expenditures in recent years growing from just over $91 million in 2012 to over $186 million in 2024. There is great potential to attract more foundation and corporate research funding.

The success of our over 57000 students has always been our top its 2026 edition of Best Colleges U.S. News & World Report ranked Georgia State University as the top public university for Undergraduate Teaching for the sixth straight year. Georgia State has been among the nations top fiveMost Innovativepublic universities for the past 11 years. For the seventh year in a row Georgia State ranked among the countrys top 10 universities (No. 2 among public universities) for its First-Year Experiences. U.S. News also ranked Georgia State No. 17 for Social Mobility.

GSU is in a tremendous era of revitalization and expansion at all six of its campuses. The $100 million GSU Research Tower will open this year; revitalized green spaces and quads are in the works; and several other major capital projects are underway. These spaces create a vibrant campus environment; enhance the universitys capacity for discovery and learning; and strengthen its role in driving economic growth and job creation. GSU contributed $3.222 billion to Georgias economy in fiscal year 2024. Watch President M. Brian Blakes 2026 State of the University to hear more about GSUs momentum and vision.

Job Duties

Fundraising Strategy & Philanthropy

• Create and implement fundraising strategies in collaboration with faculty staff and university leadership and translate these strategies into successful proposals
  

• Focus on proposal opportunities of at least $100000 and contribute to meeting a multi-million-dollar collective team goal
  

• Write/edit compelling proposals budgets and supporting materials
  

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of GSU priorities as outlined by our Strategic Plan: Blueprint to 2033 as well as the specific priorities of a subset of schools and units

Relationship Management & External Engagement

• Manage a portfolio of foundations companies and other philanthropic entities and continually discover and qualify additional prospects
  

• Secure and attend frequent meetings with foundation and corporate executives and program officers
  

• Establish strong relationships with faculty and staff colleagues; respond to faculty and staff requests for strategic funding support
  

• For corporate relations collaborate with other corporate-facing teams across camps to ensure holistic partnerships that may include elements such as internships recruiting IP scholarships event sponsorships and more.
  

• Build authentic relationships with colleagues at foundations and companies

Stewardship Reporting & Donor Experience

• Ensure that donors feel deeply appreciated and valued by developing innovative stewardship plans
  

• Collaborate on grant impact reports and ensure timely submission
  

• Arrange campus visits for foundation/corporate staff and brief key university leaders

Prospecting Research & Data Management

• Monitor philanthropy and business news
  

• Conduct prospect research to continuously uncover new opportunities
  

• Utilize Salesforce Ascend CRM and collaborate with Advancement colleagues to review and document grant agreements

Leadership & Organizational Contribution

• Oversee projects with student assistants and volunteers
  

• Demonstrate leadership and build community by participating in internal/external committees task forces service and team-building boards professional associations etc.
  

• Contribute to GSUs success by completing other special projects and duties as assigned

Other

• This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. It is understood that the employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties if requested by the supervisor. Job descriptions are reviewed periodically and may be revised if deemed necessary.

• Individuals will also be required to work some nights and weekends when necessary travel (via plane train or car) at least 15% of the time within and outside of the state of Georgia.

Anticipated Hiring Range: $89300 - $95000. Salary offers will be determined based on the candidates qualifications in relation to the Minimum Hiring Standards. Candidates earlier in their careers are typically offered salaries closer to the minimum of the hiring range while those with more advanced or relevant experience may be considered for compensation at or above the hiring range.

To be fully considered for this position all candidates must submit the following at the time of submission:

• A complete and accurate GSU application.
• Resume.
• Cover Letter outlining your experiences as they relate to the purpose and mission of GSU Advancement.

#LI-BD1