Director, Foundation RelationsJob no: 503962
Work type: Exempt Staff Full-time
Location: Bethlehem
Categories: Development/ Alumni Relations
Position Number: S99340
This position is a Grade: 11 - 40 with an approximate salary range of $83,910-$102,080 and is subject to change based on experience, skills and qualifications.
Key Accountabilities- Coordinate and manage foundation relations to support Lehigh's strategic initiatives, working closely with academic and Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) leaders.
- Research and identify corporate, foundation, and institutional partners to build a multi-year funding pipeline for research, programs, and college-wide priorities.
- Develop short- and long-term engagement strategies to connect with funders at all levels, including program staff, trustees, and C-suite executives.
- Steward key external relationships through campus visits, funder meetings, and written reports while articulating the college's value proposition to drive philanthropic support.
- Collaborate with academic leaders, faculty, and staff to build comprehensive partnerships with foundations and corporations that drive gifts, grants, research, and data agreements.
- Arrange high-level visits and briefings for college leadership, foundation executives, and institutional partners, ensuring thorough planning and follow-up.
- Work with alumni, parents, Trustees, and senior academic leaders to utilize their personal and professional connections to gain access to key strategic partnerships.
- Collaborate with academic leaders to design projects that align with university priorities and funding partners, while actively participating in and identifying professional development and training opportunities for Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) staff.
- Write complex proposals and develop budgets in collaboration with funding partners and internal stakeholders, while consulting with departments on new project opportunities.
- Work closely with other Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) units to coordinate workflows and prospect strategies, ensuring all activities are tracked in the database of record.
Qualifications- Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Liberal Arts, STEM or Business field
- Five to eight years of work related experience
- Experience with major gift fundraising, writing foundation grants and capital campaigns
- Familiarity with the higher education fundraising landscape
- Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities simultaneously
- Strong analytical skills applied to prospect research, portfolio strategy, and pipeline reporting
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing grant proposals and foundation briefings
Special Considerations- This position includes driving as a routine function, therefore a valid Driver's License and a good driving record is required.
Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the position.
Only complete applications will be considered therefore please complete the application in its entirety. Once the posting is removed from the website applications may no longer be allowed to be completed.Advertised: July 21, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
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