Foundation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary Range: 

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

Development and External Affairs (DEA) supports SMU by securing funding for University priorities; by promoting meaningful involvement in the life and work of the University; by heightening international, national, state and local awareness of SMU; and by supporting the enrollment of a diverse and able student body.

DEA comprises the offices of Office of the Senior Vice President, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, Development Services, Program Services and Donor Relations, Marketing and Communications, Principal and Major Gifts, and School and Project Development.

SMU continues to leverage the benefits from the largest fundraising campaign in its history to achieve dramatic increases in academic quality and impact.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Associate Director for Foundation Relations serves as a grant strategist and primary relationship manager for foundation partners at the University. This role leads the development, coordination, and submission of complex foundation proposals and stewardship reports, working collaboratively with the Senior Director, school/unit fundraisers, faculty, and senior leadership. The Associate Director manages a portfolio of foundation prospects and donors, leads proposals typically up to $125,000, and contributes to strategic planning and pipeline development for institutional funding priorities.

Essential Functions:

• Strategic Proposal Development & Leadership
  Leads the development and submission of complex foundation proposals, typically $125,000 , including multi-year and cross-unit initiatives. Serves as strategist and project manager, coordinating internal stakeholders and ensuring alignment with institutional priorities. Provides editorial leadership and elevates proposal quality across FR efforts.

• Foundation Relationship Management
  Manages a portfolio of foundation prospects and donors, cultivating relationships through direct outreach, meetings, and stewardship engagement. Develops and executes strategies for solicitation, renewal, and long-term partnership growth.

• Stewardship Strategy & Execution
  Leads development of high-quality, strategic stewardship reports and communications. Ensures timely reporting and alignment with donor expectations while identifying opportunities for renewal and increased investment. 

• Prospect Research & Pipeline Development
  Identifies, evaluates, and prioritizes foundation prospects aligned with university priorities. Works with internal partners to build funding strategies and expand the FR pipeline. 

• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Institutional Strategy
  Partners with senior leadership, faculty, and development staff to shape funding priorities and develop competitive cases for support. Represents FR in high-level internal planning discussions. 

• FR Operations & Process Improvement
  Helps design and implement workflows, timelines, and proposal tracking systems. Improves efficiency and consistency across FR operations. 

• CRM & Data Management
  Ensures accurate and strategic use of CRM and archive systems for tracking and preserving proposals and reports, donor engagement, etc. 
   

• Occasional non-standard hours outside, including morning, evening, and weekend hours, may be required. 

• Minimal travel may be required for this role. 

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree is required. A Master's degree is preferred. 

A minimum of four years of progressive experience focusing on corporate and foundation proposal development and building connections among organizations with a successful track record of generating philanthropic support and partnerships is required. Experience with budget and project management is required. 

Experience in a non-profit or academic institution is preferred. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.  

Candidate must have experience with Microsoft Office.  Experience with BBEC CRM and/or Salesforce is preferred. Experience with prospecting database (Foundation Director, Instrumentl, FoundationSearch or Candid/Guidestar, etc) is preferred. 

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time
• Drives motorized equipment

Deadline to Apply:

May 28, 2026. 

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.