Director of Institutional Giving and Relations

About the role

Reporting to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, the Director is responsible for leading the College's institutional fundraising efforts, securing philanthropic and public funding that advances CIA's mission, strategic priorities, academic programs, student success initiatives, capital projects, and long-term sustainability. The Director serves as the College's primary lead for foundation, corporate, and government relations, developing and implementing comprehensive strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward institutional funders.

Responsibilities

• Manages a portfolio of foundation, corporate, and public funding prospects while building meaningful relationships that generate significant philanthropic support for the institution
• Develops compelling proposals, funding requests, and stewardship reports that communicate the impact of CIA's programs and priorities to external partners
• Responsible for all aspects of grant development and administration, including identifying funding opportunities, preparing proposals and reports, ensuring compliance with funding requirements, and tracking institutional giving activity
• Works collaboratively with faculty, academic leadership, and administrative departments to translate institutional priorities into fundable initiatives and align funding opportunities with the College's strategic goals
• Partners closely with the Business Office and project leaders to develop budgets, measure outcomes, and ensure responsible stewardship of grant-funded resources
• Serves as a key representative of CIA to foundations, corporations, government agencies, community organizations, and other external stakeholders
• Works collaboratively with legislative and advocacy partners to monitor public funding opportunities and supports efforts to secure government funding aligned with institutional priorities
• Strengthens CIA's visibility, credibility, and impact among institutional funders and community partners through strategic relationship management and effective communication

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, nonprofit management, business, public administration, higher education, or a related field (master's degree or other advanced degree preferred)
• Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, institutional giving, grant development, foundation relations, corporate relations, nonprofit advancement, or a related field
• Demonstrated success securing grants or philanthropic support from foundations, corporations, government agencies, or other institutional funders
• Preference for candidates with experience in higher education or nonprofit organizations, grant administration, donor database systems such as Raiser's Edge, and managing multiple concurrent funding opportunities and stakeholder relationships
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Strong project management abilities
• Sound judgment and ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, administrators, trustees, donors, and community partners
• Knowledge of fundraising ethics and best practices

Compensation

This is a full-time, exempt position. Compensation is commensurate with experience and qualifications. CIA offers a comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, holidays, health and dental insurance, retirement contributions, tuition remission, and more.