Director, Foundation and Corporate Relations (Relocation Assistance Available!)

Classification:

Exempt

Job Family:

Operations

Reports to:

Vice President External Relations

Job Description Summary:

The Director of Foundation & Corporate Relations provides leadership for Whitehead Institute’s foundation and corporate philanthropy program, managing a high-value portfolio and driving revenue growth from private foundations, family offices, philanthropic LLCs, and corporate partners.
In partnership with the Vice President and Advancement leadership, the Director contributes to the development of integrated, institution-wide fundraising strategies and leads execution of foundation and corporate relations priorities aligned with institutional goals. Strategy development is collaborative across Advancement; this role ensures effective implementation within its functional area.
The Director oversees complex donor engagement and proposal strategy across the full lifecycle—from prospect identification through solicitation, stewardship, and renewal—while ensuring alignment with institutional priorities. This role requires deep scientific fluency, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to operate as a strategic partner to faculty and senior leadership.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES

Strategic Leadership & Portfolio Management

• Contribute to and implement integrated advancement strategies, aligned with institutional priorities. Translate institutional goals into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.
• Lead implementation of strategy for foundation and corporate philanthropy, translating institutional goals into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.
• Manage and grow a portfolio of high-capacity foundation and corporate partners, including oversight of multi-year engagement strategies.
• Establish revenue goals; track performance, pipeline activity, and forecasting.
• Identify and pursue new funding opportunities; advance prospects through all stages of the pipeline.

Proposal Strategy & Scientific Translation

• Lead development of complex, high-value proposals in collaboration with faculty and leadership.
• Translate scientific priorities into compelling cases for support and advise on positioning for philanthropic audiences.
• Ensure consistency and alignment between proposals, institutional messaging, and strategic priorities.
• Oversee preparation and submission of LOIs, proposals, and reports in coordination with faculty, OSP, and Finance, ensuring compliance.

Faculty & Institutional Partnership

• Serve as a key resource to faculty on foundation and corporate funding opportunities.
• Maintain deep knowledge of research priorities and emerging initiatives.
• Share insights on funding trends, donor interests, and research developments.
• Support postdoctoral fellowship proposal development as appropriate.

Donor Engagement & Stewardship

• Lead donor engagement strategies in partnership with the VP and faculty, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Represent the Institute in meetings with foundation and corporate leaders.
• Oversee briefing materials and high-quality stewardship reporting to support long-term partnerships and renewals.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration

• Partner closely with Advancement colleagues, OSP, and Finance to ensure coordination and alignment.
• Provide leadership and input into advancement-wide planning efforts, ensuring integration across teams.
• Promote a collaborative, coordinated approach to strategy development and execution across Institutional Advancement.

Perform other duties, as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required; PhD or background in science strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in foundation/corporate relations or related fundraising in a nonprofit, academic, or research environment.
• Demonstrated success securing complex, multi-year institutional grants and partnerships.
• Experience contributing to and implementing integrated fundraising strategies in a collaborative environment.
• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to translate complex scientific concepts for nontechnical audiences.
• Strong leadership, relationship-building, and influencing skills with faculty, senior leadership, and external partners.
• Strategic thinker with strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience with CRM systems and grant tracking tools.
• Willingness to travel as required.

Whitehead provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the Institute