Client Relations Associate Jobs in Massachusetts

Job Description
Boston University Advancement
Boston University Advancement is at a pivotal moment, guided by new leadership and a clear strategic framework for growth and impact. Our work is organized around three core priorities: securing $500 million in philanthropic annually; deepening relationships with a strategically defined segment of alumni and donors; and strengthening the organizational foundation while launching focused priority areas across the University.
Advancement is evolving into a highly collaborative, matrixed model that integrates new University leadership, regional engagement, and the distinctive strengths of BU's schools and colleges. With more than 250 advancement professionals, the organization is building the capacity, partnerships, and culture required to deliver sustained philanthropic momentum and institutional impact.
Foundation Relations Associate for RFPs
The Foundation Relations (FR) Associate is a member of the FR team at Boston University (BU) and, by extension, the University's Advancement (ADV) staff. The FR Associate supports a highly collaborative team that identifies and secures the financial resources needed to carry out the research, scholarship, art, and professional practice of the BU faculty and leadership. Within FR, this position will be a member of the "RFP Team", which supports applications across the university that are prompted by Requests for Proposals (RFPs). The RFP Team Associate reports to the leader of this group.
The RFP Team Associate will oversee the collection and summarization of RFPs that are circulated to academic leaders and faculty members throughout the year and across the university. The RFP Team Associate will also research prospective funders and evaluate their suitability to the needs of specific faculty members.
The FR Associate works cooperatively with a wide variety of colleagues and external constituents, including University leadership, faculty, and staff, to help execute strategies and work toward the goals of BU Advancement, Foundation Relations, and the RFP Team. The RFP Team Associate will be expected to assist in the development and utilization of AI technology to perform these tasks.
Position Responsibilities
Strategic (15%)
• Support the RFP Team leader in developing, implementing, and evaluating operational strategy for the team and assist in reporting on the team's progress. This will include assisting in the introduction of AI technology into our workflows.
Research and Information Management (60%):
• Collect, summarize, and assist frontline fundraisers to distribute funding opportunities (RFPs) to the faculty. Track uptake of funding opportunities.
• Compile monthly listings of cancer-related research funding round-ups.
• Create customized roadmaps of funding opportunities for early-career faculty (approximately 30 per year).
• Manage constituent relationship system reporting and record maintenance in ADV's CRM system (currently Blackbaud Enterprise system, BBEC), including entering plans, opportunities, contact reports, and other information.
• Develop listings of funders who support specific research and programmatic activities.
• Collaborate with frontline fundraisers to create and maintain foundation fundraising resources, such as the proposal library.
• Contribute to the maintenance and updating of the FR website.
• Whenever possible, automate or semi-automate above tasks through use of AI, particularly management of RFPs.
Meetings and Event Management (15%):
• Coordinate and participate in weekly meetings of the RFP Team, monthly meetings of the RFP Team and Research Development, and biweekly meetings of the Medical Campus development team.
• Assist with scheduling of meetings of RFP team members with faculty and funders, occasionally attending meetings.
• Collaborate on planning and execution of Red Team Reviews, setting the time, coordinating with reviewers and applicants, and ensuring that the reviewers complete all required documentation. Process all payments for Red Team Reviews.
• Help to prepare and commentate on slide presentations on FR mission and activities to faculty/departments. Assist in preparation of briefing materials for faculty and academic leadership with funders.
Funding-Related Communications (10%):
• Liaise with proposal management offices at BU (e.g., Sponsored Programs, Proposal Development).
• Assist faculty with preparation of proposals, letters of inquiry, and other application components.
• Draft brief project descriptions, introductory emails to prospective funders, and occasional miscellaneous communications.
Required Skills
QUALIFICATIONs:

• A bachelor's degree.
• One to three years of relevant work experience.
• Advanced oral/written communications skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Intellectual curiosity, with a "can-do" mindset and strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Facility in working both independently and collaboratively.
• Capacity to collaborate, multitask, and juggle priorities as necessary.
• Ability to handle confidential material responsibly and interact professionally with a wide spectrum of individuals.
• Possession of or readiness to develop skills in the use of AI in a fundraising context.
• Interest in fundraising as well as academic research (helpful, not required).

But that's not all we're looking for; we want someone who embodies our values:

• Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect, because we value every member's contributions and know that leadership can come from anywhere.
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and a commitment to ensuring that each of us knows we belong here.
• Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another.
• Strategic thinking and curiosity in the relentless pursuit of fresh approaches and measurable results.
• Continuous growth and improvement, both as individuals and as a team.
• Joy and shared appreciation for working hard toward goals that matter.

To apply and learn more about Advancement at Boston University and other job opportunities, please stop by the Advancement Talent website: https://www.bu.edu/advancement-talent/.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
If you require reasonable accommodation in order to complete the employment application process, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 617-358-1796.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.