📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director, Foundation Relations and Public Partnerships
🔹 Company: Texas A&M University System
🔹 Location: Stephenville, Texas
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Education Management
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-30
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Overseeing a comprehensive resource development program focused on private foundations and government funding opportunities
- Coordinating campus-wide collaboration to leverage university strengths
- Executing a comprehensive prospect research strategy
- Delivering core operational revenue to the TSU Foundation
- Working closely with university development colleagues, TSU Foundation leadership, and TSU Foundation staff to build, sustain, and expand a best-practice grants program
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, collaboration, and communication skills to successfully manage and grow the foundation relations and public partnerships program.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Oversee a comprehensive resource development program focused on private foundations and government funding opportunities
✅ Coordinate campus-wide collaboration to leverage university strengths
✅ Execute a comprehensive prospect research strategy
✅ Deliver core operational revenue to the TSU Foundation
✅ Work closely with university development colleagues, TSU Foundation leadership, and TSU Foundation staff to build, sustain, and expand a best-practice grants program
✅ Perform other duties as assigned by leadership
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will have a proven track record in foundation relations, grant writing, and prospect research, with exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
Experience: Five years of successful experience in foundation relations, grant-writing, or a related field
Required Skills:
- University-based foundation relations experience
- Demonstrated track record of closing major level foundation proposals
- Exceptional writing, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Experience with prospect research at a four-year university
Preferred Skills:
- Five (5) years of similar or transferable professional experience
- Master’s degree
- Deep knowledge of prospect cultivation, solicitation, and recognition strategies
- Knowledge of federal and state government grant-making ecosystems
- Proficient with Blackbaud - Raiser’s Edge or a similar CRM / fundraising database system
ASSUMPTION: The preferred qualifications provide an opportunity for candidates to demonstrate additional skills and experience that would make them an even stronger fit for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $70,000 to $80,000 per year, commensurate with experience
Benefits:
- Fully covered employee health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Retirement and Insurance programs
- Paid sick leave
- Holiday pay
- Vacation
- Longevity pay
- Paid Birthday Leave
- Complimentary tickets to all Athletic and Performing Fine Arts events
- Employee Wellness Release Time
- Staff Gym Membership Discount with Campus Recreation
Working Hours: Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm or as work requirements indicate, which may include after hours, evenings, weekends, and some holidays
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in the education management sector. The benefits listed are subject to change and may vary based on the candidate's employment status and eligibility.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Education Management
Company Size: 501-1,000 employees
Founded: 1876
Company Description:
- Texas A&M University System is a public university system in Texas, with its headquarters in College Station, Texas
- The system consists of 11 universities and seven state agencies
- The system's mission is to provide excellent, affordable higher education and research opportunities to the people of Texas
Company Specialties:
- Education
- Research
- Public Service
Company Website: http://pvam.edu
ASSUMPTION: Texas A&M University System is a large and well-established public university system with a strong reputation for education, research, and public service.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level management
Reporting Structure: Reports to the Associate Vice President for Development
Work Arrangement: On-site, with the possibility of remote work during inclement weather or other special circumstances
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential for career advancement within the university system
- Opportunities to expand the TSU Foundation’s positive impact on the university
- Chance to develop and grow the foundation relations and public partnerships program
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a substantial impact on the university's fundraising efforts.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Main campus office
Office Location(s): Stephenville, Texas
Geographic Context:
- Stephenville is a city in Erath County, Texas, United States
- The city is the county seat of Erath County
- Stephenville is located in the North-Central Texas region
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm or as work requirements indicate, which may include after hours, evenings, weekends, and some holidays
ASSUMPTION: Stephenville offers a small-town atmosphere with a close-knit community, providing a unique work environment for this role.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- On-campus interview with a panel of university stakeholders
- Final decision and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Foundation relations and grant writing experience
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Prospect research experience
- Alignment with university mission and values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your foundation relations and grant writing experience
- Provide specific examples of successful foundation proposals you have written and closed
- Demonstrate your understanding of the university's mission and values in your cover letter
ATS Keywords: Foundation Relations, Grant Writing, Prospect Research, University Advancement, Private Foundations, Government Funding, Strategic Planning, Collaboration, Communication Skills
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's foundation relations and grant writing experience, as well as their communication and interpersonal skills. The candidate's alignment with the university's mission and values will also be a key consideration.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Blackbaud - Raiser’s Edge or a similar CRM / fundraising database system
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Google Workspace
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be proficient in using CRM / fundraising database systems, as well as Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence in all endeavors
- Integrity and ethical behavior
- Diversity and inclusion
- Accountability and transparency
- Collaboration and teamwork
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic work environment
- Strong focus on strategic planning and execution
- Collaborative and team-oriented culture
- Opportunities for professional growth and development
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a proven track record in foundation relations and grant writing?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment?
- Do you thrive in a collaborative and team-oriented culture?
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation relations and grant writing background, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. They will also be comfortable working in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment, with a collaborative and team-oriented approach.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a comprehensive resource development program can be demanding and stressful
- Working with various institutional partners with varying interests can be challenging
- Navigating the complexities of private foundations and government funding opportunities can be time-consuming
- Balancing the demands of the role with the need for work-life balance can be difficult
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be able to manage the demands of the role effectively, balancing the need for strategic planning and execution with the need for work-life balance.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on foundation relations and public partnerships within the university system
- Similar roles in other organizations may have a broader focus on fundraising or development
- Career paths in this role may lead to advancement within the university system or related fields
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to specialize in foundation relations and public partnerships within the university system, with potential for career advancement and growth.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive prospect research strategy to identify new funding opportunities
- Collaborating with university stakeholders to leverage distinct campus strengths aligned with prospective funders
- Spearheading and facilitating requests through the TSU Foundation to expand its positive impact on the university
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will have experience in developing and executing strategic plans, as well as collaborating with stakeholders to achieve common goals.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does this role fit into the university's long-term strategic plan?
- What opportunities are there for professional growth and development in this role?
- How does the university support work-life balance for employees in this role?
- What is the university's approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how does this role contribute to those efforts?
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will ask thoughtful and insightful questions to demonstrate their interest in and understanding of the role and the university.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your foundation relations and grant writing experience
- Provide specific examples of successful foundation proposals you have written and closed
- Demonstrate your understanding of the university's mission and values in your cover letter
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your continued interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
