MILLS COLLEGE

MILLS COLLEGE

CORPORATE AND FOUNDATION RELATIONS OFFICER
Oakland, California

ABOUT MILLS COLLEGE

Mills College is a nationally known, independent, liberal arts college for women with graduate programs for women and men. Located on 135 wooded acres in the Oakland foothills, the College has an enrollment of 926 undergraduate women and 584 graduate men and women.

Mills has an annual budget of $80,200,000 that supports 181 faculty members. The endowment is valued at over $150,000,000.

The Office of Institutional Advancement (OIA) is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors that support the strategic initiatives of Mills College. The strategic initiatives include supporting student scholarships, maintaining preeminence in the arts, encouraging leadership for women in the professions, as well as advancing women in science, technology and research. OIA consists of individual giving programs such as annual, major, and planned gifts as well as foundation and corporate giving. Gift processing and donor relations are also a part of OIA.

For more information, please visit http://www.mills.edu/about/facts.php.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) Officer plays a critical role in the success of the Office of Institutional Advancement (OIA). With direction from the Assistant Vice President of Development, the CFR Officer develops and implements a comprehensive strategy for the College's fundraising from private, family, corporate and other foundations. The CFR Officer focuses on: renewing Mills' relationships with program officers and directors at foundations and corporations in the Bay Area and beyond; identifying new institutional prospects; designing and writing proposals tailored to these funders; and ensuring effective stewardship of corporate and foundation donors through timely and accurate reporting on grants and gifts received.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The position reports to the Assistant Vice President for Development. The position does not supervise any staff, but does share an administrative assistant.

RESPONSIBILITIES

* Raise current and endowed funds for the College from foundations and corporations.
* Grow and manage a portfolio of institutional prospects, to include a solicitation plan for each prospect.
* Generate and manage a consistent schedule of meetings and campus visits with current and prospective funders. Include the President, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and other campus leadership as appropriate.
* Partner with OIA's research team to identify institutional funders whose priorities are compatible with the College. Aggressively pursue RFPs and other new funding opportunities.
* Mobilize trustees, other lead volunteers and College Officers to help with fundraising from institutions. Identify and utilize these individuals' connections to foundations and corporations.
* Collaborate with the strategic initiatives team in OIA as well as with academic leaders across campus to develop and prepare funding opportunities and proposals for specific funders.
* Design and write letters of inquiry, proposals and reports. Review, edit and rewrite, as necessary, these documents when written by faculty and administrators.
* Monitor the College's grants and spending; ensure that narrative and financial reports are submitted as required by funders. Adopt best practices in outcome measurement.
* Design stewardship and engagement opportunities for top institutional donors.
* Collaborate across the College with faculty and staff working on Sponsored Projects.
* Represent the College and its programs effectively to a variety of external audiences.
* Provide data and analysis of institutional giving, including outstanding pledges.
* Maintain the database and all relevant systems.
* Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

* Five or more years experience in development with three years experience in institutional giving
* Ability to translate academic and technical information and concepts for a lay audience
* Excellent research, writing and editing skills and experience
* Strong communication and interpersonal skills
* Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects and meet appropriate deadlines
* Tenacious and entrepreneurial approach to fundraising
* Ability to establish and maintain effective and productive working relationships within a diverse and multicultural environment
* Bachelor’s degree

PREFERRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

* Experience in higher education
* Advanced degree

TO APPLY

Please send resume and cover letter to Pamela Cook, Search Consultant at millscf@pamelacook.com.

Mills College offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including generous vacation and sick leave.
Applicants are subject to background checks both before and after employment.
MILLS COLLEGE IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the selection process may be requested by qualified disabled individuals.