Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships

Job Title Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships Position Summary The Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships reports to the Vice President of Advancement and will be responsible for managing the University's proposal-writing efforts for individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies. The Senior Director will be responsible for, but not limited to, developing and managing the cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and reporting for gifts/grants in support of major gifts, capital needs, research, institutional programs, and other special projects. In addition, the Senior Director will assist with various written materials for the Office of Advancement and will assist with special events that support the cultivation of donor prospects. The Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships is expected to develop relationships on campus and with prospective foundation and corporate donors, and to collaborate with university leadership to secure support for Texas Wesleyan University students, faculty, and university programs. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Public and Private Foundation Cultivation & Engagement - 35% Cultivate and broaden institutional relationships with foundation and corporate partners. Build and manage a robust portfolio of foundation and corporate foundation relationships. Work directly with foundation and corporate partners to understand their goals, priorities, and decision-making processes. Serve as the University's expert representative, articulating Texas Wesleyan's programming, funding priorities, and strategic plan initiatives. Develop cultivation strategies and engagement opportunities to expand the base of institutional supporters. Participate in prospect identification, cultivation, and solicitation efforts for major gifts, capital projects, and special initiatives. Proposal Strategy, Grant Writing, Solicitation, and Stewardship - 25% Collaborate with faculty, staff, and senior leadership to identify priority programs and initiatives; create competitive, high-quality proposals, letters of inquiry, and concept papers that align with funder interests. Monitor funding opportunities and assess feasibility for campus programs; develop strategies to secure support across academic and programmatic areas of the University. Oversee stewardship of awards, ensuring timely acknowledgements, narrative and financial reports, and impact updates; maintain consistent communication with funders to build trust and encourage renewal. Partner with Grant Program Manager and Grant Accounting to monitor award budgets, ensure compliance with sponsor requirements, and resolve any financial or reporting issues. Assist Advancement colleagues with writing and editing materials that support donor cultivation, solicitation, and recognition efforts. Collaborative Program Development and Implementation with Faculty - 15% Meet regularly with deans, department chairs, and faculty to understand programmatic priorities; facilitate strategy sessions to align initiatives with funder opportunities. Translate faculty ideas into clear, compelling concept papers or proposals (1-3 annually) with defined goals, outcomes, and budget requirements for Advancement review and donor cultivation. Lead regular conversations to ensure projects are compliant with budget and award intention. Partner with University leadership to prioritize initiatives, align with the strategic plan, and prepare programs for cultivation and solicitation. Provide training, resources, and guidance to faculty on foundation funding trends and proposal best practices to strengthen future collaborations and proposal competitiveness. Research, Data Management, Strategic Planning & Institutional Effectiveness - 15% Develop a long-term pipeline for institutional funding support and monitor team performance. Identify, research, and qualify new public and private foundation prospects. Maintain accurate records of current and proposed funding projects, deadlines, and outcomes in institutional databases. Produce monthly activity reports and other data-driven updates for the Vice President of Advancement and senior leadership. Assist the Vice President in setting objectives tied to strategic priorities and university-wide funding needs. Engage actively in the University's institutional effectiveness process, including annual planning, assessment, and continuous improvement measures. Compliance and Policy Oversight - 10% Review, develop, and interpret policies and procedures to ensure compliance with university, state, and federal guidelines. Contribute to the development and refinement of internal processes and communications related to grants. Ensure that all external initiatives align with University policies and strategic priorities. Education, Certifications and/or Licenses Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Communications, Business, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, or related discipline required. Experience Minimum 5-8 years of progressive experience in foundation relations, corporate giving, sponsored programs, or institutional advancement. Demonstrated success in writing, submitting, and securing significant foundation and corporate grants (six- and seven-figure preferred). Proven track record of building and managing relationships with foundation program officers, corporate philanthropy contacts, and other institutional funders. Experience working in higher education, nonprofit, or mission-driven organizations preferred. Familiarity with capital campaigns, major gift solicitations, and integrating foundation giving into comprehensive fundraising efforts. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Exceptional Writing & Communication Skills: Ability to craft compelling, persuasive proposals, concept papers, and stewardship materials that resonate with funders. Strategic Thinking: Ability to translate faculty and institutional priorities into fundable projects; strong analytical skills to match opportunities with needs. Relationship Management: Skilled at cultivating and maintaining long-term relationships with foundation and corporate leaders, as well as internal stakeholders. Project & Time Management: Ability to manage multiple proposals, deadlines, and reporting obligations simultaneously with a high level of accuracy. Collaboration & Facilitation: Comfortable working across departments with faculty, staff, and administrators to identify funding needs and develop initiatives. Financial Literacy: Familiarity with budgets, financial reports, and compliance requirements related to grants and sponsored programs. Technical Proficiency: Experience with CRM/fundraising software (e.g., Raiser's Edge or similar), online grant portals, and Microsoft Office Suite. Integrity & Confidentiality: Strong commitment to ethical fundraising practices and discretion in handling sensitive donor and institutional information. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Excellent written, oral and interpersonal skills. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of constituents and University employees. Posting Detail Information Posting Number 2016AS1082P Posting Open Date 02/16/2026 Open Until Filled Yes Posting Close Date Special Instructions to Applicants