Corporate & Foundation Engagement Associate

The Corporate and Foundation Engagement Associate supports the growing Corporate and Foundation Engagement (CFE) efforts focused on Medicine & Health (MedHealth). The role reports to the Director of Corporate and Foundation Engagement, Medicine and Health and works closely with unit leaders, faculty, staff, and CFE officers to qualify, cultivate, manage, and steward a portfolio of corporate and foundation partners. The Associate's primary focus is to qualify new corporate prospects and manage a group of growing partnerships, research collaboration, branding visibility, and executive engagement for MedHealth. They are also responsible for supporting the development and management of gift/charitable grant proposals to corporate and foundation prospects and assisting in the development and management of relationships between the private sector and MedHealth.

The Associate needs to be collaborative and have a desire to better the university through corporate and foundation relationships. They will connect UMN researchers to external technical experts to develop basic research and licensing collaborations. They will also work with internal and external stakeholders to cultivate and solicit philanthropic gifts.

Hybrid Work Model:

The University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF) operates under a hybrid work model, with the expectation that all staff be onsite at least 2-3 times per week. Our office is located in McNamara Alumni Center on the East Bank of the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities campus.

Corporate portfolio management and pipeline building (40%)

• Partner closely with the MedHealth development officers in managing a portfolio of corporate prospects.
• Serve as a team member on select strategic corporate portfolio companies related to MedHealth. Partner closely with the primary manager to implement strategy and action items.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit corporate investments in coordination with MedHealth partners
• Work closely with prospect development to identify and qualify new corporate prospects, research documents, and research requests. Pipelining with an early focus on sponsored research, recruiting, and sponsorships
• Assist with and manage sponsorship solicitations in support of MedHealth CFE strategies
• Serve as the primary manager for a portfolio of Corporate prospects capable of making gifts and major gifts of $25,000 and above

Private Foundation portfolio management and support (40%)

• Partner closely with the Foundation Engagement team and MedHealth development officers to solicit private foundation prospects
• Track RFPs to identify, cultivate, and solicit private foundation proposals in coordination with MedHealth partners and faculty
• Work closely with prospect development to identify and qualify new foundation prospects
• Guide University partners through the proposal application and funding process
• Pursue private foundation grant proposals of $25,000 and above. This includes drafting LOIs, writing grant proposals, submitting grant proposals and managing overall charitable grant solicitations in partnership with MedHealth foundation engagement officers
• Respond to daily inquiries and questions about proposals and gifts in process

Collaborative Advancement Efforts (20%)

• Track foundation proposal activity, documentation, and grant reporting as necessary
• Develop and manage internal partnerships
  • Work closely with MedHealth development officers, unit leaders, board members, fellow benefactors, faculty, staff, and volunteers to develop and implement corporate and private foundation strategies.
• Provide support and planning for MedHealth related campus visits and MedHealth activities
• Other initiatives as assigned

Metrics

• Set portfolio goals with manager around qualifications, solicitations, substantive contacts and revenue generation (approximately $500,000 annual goal)
• Develop annual individual and team goals contributing to key CFE and MedHealth projects and committees

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum of two years of professional development experience with demonstrated ability to promote and successfully solicit gifts or sponsorships in corporate or private foundation setting; or two or more years of experience in marketing, consultative sales, public relations, financial advisement, real estate or related field where cultivation/solicitation and maintenance of client relationships for provision of services was a primary responsibility.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to match initiatives and strengths to a corporate or foundation's goals.
• Proficiency with Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint software and other Database Management software is essential

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven ability to work effectively with a diverse group of internal and external constituents.
• Prior work or background in the medicine, health, science, engineering, and/or medicine technology fields
• Demonstrated ability to successfully solicit gifts and manage a prospect portfolio
• Self-motivated and strong personal commitment to the organization's mission
• Experience working in an academic environment
• Creative thinking, flexibility, and problem solving skills
• Ability to engage faculty, staff, and industry partners and variety of organizational levels

AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) REQUIREMENTS:

Office environment including standing and sitting at desk, use of computer, occasional lifting of approximately 10#.

At the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF), our mission is to connect passion with possibility, inspire generosity, and support greatness at the University of Minnesota by placing donors at the heart of everything we do and every decision we make. UMF is a nonprofit organization responsible for raising and managing gifts to the University of Minnesota.

For more information about UMF, please visit https://give.umn.edu/about/about-umf.

Pay Range: $65,000- 78,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment (If job description above does not specify appointment or expected weekly hours, assume a 100% appointment.)

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).