Director, Foundation and Corporate Relations

Job Description

Job Description

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 reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of posting. The pay offered to a selected candidate during hiring will be based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience and education/training, and internal peer equity. This pay range represents base pay only and does not include any other benefits or compensation.

• Pay Range Minimum: $125,000
• Pay Range Maximum: $150,000

Company Description

WHITEHEAD INSTITUTE for BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research is a leading, nonprofit research and educational institution that has defined the cutting edge of biomedical science, creating a legacy of research excellence and academic eminence since 1982.​ Wholly independent in its governance, finances and research programs, Whitehead shares a teaching affiliation with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), offering the intellectual, collegial and scientific benefits of a leading research university.​ Whitehead’s Faculty Members and Fellows run pioneering programs in cancer research, immunology, developmental biology, stem cell research, regenerative medicine, genetics and genomics—programs with a record of success.​

We offer excellent benefits including a choice of health insurance options; a generous retirement plan; comprehensive dental, disability and life insurance coverage; competitive salary, substantial vacation and holiday time; and programs for tuition reimbursement, dependent care assistance, pre-tax spending accounts, and subsidized public transportation or parking. We also offer relocation assistance.

The Whitehead Institute believes diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) are integral to its values and mission. As a research Institute dedicated to improving human health through biomedical science, we believe that diverse thought invokes creative inquiry, drives innovation, and fuels scientific breakthrough. We welcome all individuals of all backgrounds including race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, veterans status, national origin, disability, marital status, parental status, socioeconomic status and/or origin. Whitehead Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Company Description

WHITEHEAD INSTITUTE for BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH\r\nWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research is a leading, nonprofit research and educational institution that has defined the cutting edge of biomedical science, creating a legacy of research excellence and academic eminence since 1982.​ Wholly independent in its governance, finances and research programs, Whitehead shares a teaching affiliation with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), offering the intellectual, collegial and scientific benefits of a leading research university.​ Whitehead’s Faculty Members and Fellows run pioneering programs in cancer research, immunology, developmental biology, stem cell research, regenerative medicine, genetics and genomics—programs with a record of success.​ \r\n\r\nWe offer excellent benefits including a choice of health insurance options; a generous retirement plan; comprehensive dental, disability and life insurance coverage; competitive salary, substantial vacation and holiday time; and programs for tuition reimbursement, dependent care assistance, pre-tax spending accounts, and subsidized public transportation or parking. We also offer relocation assistance.\r\n\r\nThe Whitehead Institute believes diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) are integral to its values and mission. As a research Institute dedicated to improving human health through biomedical science, we believe that diverse thought invokes creative inquiry, drives innovation, and fuels scientific breakthrough. We welcome all individuals of all backgrounds including race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, veterans status, national origin, disability, marital status, parental status, socioeconomic status and/or origin. Whitehead Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.