The Catholic University of America

The Division of University Advancement plays a pivotal role in ensuring the continued growth and excellence of The Catholic University of America. By fostering deep and meaningful relationships with alumni, parents, benefactors, corporate partners, and philanthropic organizations, we secure vital financial support that fuels the university's mission. Through this support, we provide scholarships that open doors for deserving students, strengthen academic programs and faculty, and invest in the development and modernization of campus infrastructure.

The Director is the lead professional responsible for pursuing, securing, and stewarding substantial grant and sponsorship / philanthropic support (annual overall seven-figure goal, building toward eight-figure revenue in 3-5 years), from corporations, private foundations, and government / public sources. This partnership support will help fund annual and multi-year programs and initiatives across the each of the schools of The Catholic University of America and the University’s supporting functions, including Student Affairs, Athletics, Campus Ministry, and others as needed.

As an R-1 designated national research university, the Director role will have a special focus on substantially growing funding for academic research and institutional priorities through expanded work with federal grants, in tandem with faculty and development officers across key schools, the Provost’s Office and the Office of Sponsored Projects. This expansion may include the management of external partner or consultant relationships as it progresses. The incumbent manages a portfolio of institutional prospects toward an aggressive annual revenue goal and supervises a growing team.

The projected salary or hourly pay range for this position which represents the full range of anticipated compensation is: $101,900 to $110,000. 

• Actively seeks out new opportunities for corporate and foundation funding/sponsorship, initiating contact on behalf of CUA and leading on-site and off-site meetings with funders and corresponding faculty/deans. The position will manage proposal preparation, which includes strategy, writing, editing, budget preparation, setting up the ask, and internal proposal approvals process.
• Works closely with partners across campus, (Provost’s Office/Office of Sponsored Projects; Finance, program leads), and the AVP to support an increased effort to substantially grow the University’s base of research funding from public (government) sources. This effort entails working more closely with more faculty members to identify potential avenues for research support, facilitate conversations with program officers, and shepherd them through proposal development, in concert with the Office of Sponsored Projects. Acts as a resource to the VP and University partners regarding the correct policies and procedures for grant-seeking, submission, and compliance.
• In consultation with the AVP, develops an annual work plan that incorporates an overall revenue goal and targets for proposal activity across the Institutional Partnerships team. Tracks and measures progress against goals for dollars submitted/booked, renewal rate, expanded funder relationships, and new funders/sponsors identified, faculty training and education, and faculty engagement in research funding, among other metrics.
• Coordinates with school-based directors of development/major gift officers, their Deans and faculty in pursuing all types of institutional funding specific to those academic centers. Coordination extends to staff and leaders of divisions supporting the student experience, such as Student Affairs and Athletics, and their respective Advancement leads.
• Manages a team of professionals, including: Sr. Associate Director for Institutional Partnerships; and potentially additional team members. Also manages a part-time contract professional who internally coordinates grant efforts. Provides workplan and annual goal-setting guidance; evaluates performance annually and provides continuous feedback.
• Trains and successfully guides academic partners through the proposal development process placing special emphasis on modeling and shaping ideas that power transformational gift and sponsorship opportunities for the University. Works with the team and OSP to create resources and training opportunities for faculty in grant-seeking.
• Works with senior leaders within the schools and University Advancement on volunteer engagement of corporate CEOs in campus-wide or school-based leadership volunteer work. Collaborates on corporate relationships that may be initially targeted toward the individual, but which also hold potential to unlock broad corporate partnership opportunities.
• Hires, trains, manages and supports the necessary additional team members in order to accomplish the goals of Institutional Partnerships. Serves as a supportive role model to the team, thinking through their career paths with them and always modeling the division’s core internal values.

A Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible development/advancement experience within a large, highly complex non-profit business environment. Higher Education experience with corporation and foundation relationship experience is preferred. Experience with grant/proposal development/submission processes is preferred. Should have a minimum of five (5) years demonstrated experience in supervising and developing advancement staff. Must have some budget and financial analysis experience. Master’s Degree is desirable, but not required.

Skill in using development-related database systems. Familiarity with the foundation, corporate, and government funding sectors. Proposal and budget preparation, demonstrated abilities working and collaborating with leaders and faculty members at all levels within an institution.

Must have highly effective interpersonal skills, the ability to lead and obtain results from subordinates and the ability to proficiently communicate verbally and in writing. Must have effective planning skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Familiarity with generally accepted office procedures, and ability to utilize internet for research-related duties.

The ability to drive a vehicle on behalf of university business. Possession of current and valid U.S. driver’s license appropriate to the type of university vehicle and an acceptable Motor Vehicle Driving Record (MVR) as stipulated in the Vehicle Guidelines and Procedures Manual administered through the office of Environmental Health and Safety. Annual clearance of MVR check through the Office of Environmental Health and Safety.