Director of development

General Summary:

The Director of Development and External Partnerships will focus on securing funding to support the mission and programs of our organization by researching and crafting compelling proposals for foundations, government agencies, and other funding sources. The ideal candidate will have strong writing skills, experience finding new grant and funding opportunities, a deep understanding of nonprofit/higher education operations, and a proven ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders.

Examples of Duties:

• Research Funding Opportunities: Identify and research potential grant and funding opportunities aligned with the nonprofit’s mission and goals, including eligibility criteria, funding guidelines, and the interests of grantmakers.
• Develop Grant Proposals: Write clear, concise, and persuasive proposals that highlight the organization's needs, program details, budgets, and expected outcomes.
• Tailor Proposals: Customize proposals to meet the specific interests and requirements of each funder, ensuring alignment with their priorities.
• Collaborate with Stakeholders: Work closely with the Executive Director, program staff, and other team members to gather necessary information and create strong proposals. Foster partnerships to ensure successful proposal development.
• Maintain Grant Proposal Database: Track and organize grant applications, deadlines, and related documents to ensure compliance and adherence to reporting standards.
• Monitor Grant Requirements: Assist in tracking and reporting on grant progress, including ensuring financial expenditures are within approved grant guidelines and timelines.
• Develop and Maintain Database of External Partnerships: Track and manage the development of external partnerships that align with institute strategic growth priorities; keep the executive team informed about partnership developments; and work closely with the Executive Director in cultivating these partnerships to secure funding and growth goals.
• Proposal Review and Editing: Revise and edit drafts of proposals, executive summaries, and other documents to ensure high-quality and error-free submissions.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Education: Minimum bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Nonprofit or HIgher Education Management, Education, or a related field. Graduate degree preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in nonprofit/higher education grant writing or a related field such as fundraising, prospect research, or communications.
• Skills and Abilities:
  • Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to craft clear, persuasive narratives tailored to different funders.
  • Proven research expertise to identify relevant grant opportunities.
  • In-depth understanding of nonprofit/higher education operations, including budgeting, program evaluation, and fundraising strategies.
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with staff and external partners.
  • Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and grant management software.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Passion for working in the nonprofit sector and improving services for vulnerable populations.
• Ability to think strategically and improve grant writing processes.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• Proven track record in securing funding from state, federal, and private sources is a plus.

Application Instructions:

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date.

Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period.

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link:

Grade: 33

This is an exempt union position. This is a grant funded position with a current end date of June 30, 2026, subject to renewal contingent on funding and university needs.

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact [email protected] or 617-287-5150.