Assistant Director of Foundation Relations
Posting Details
Posting Details
Posting Number S15212P Working Title Assistant Director of Foundation Relations Department DAR-Foundation Relations About the University of Georgia
Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/) . The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.
About The College/Unit/Department
Division of Development and Alumni Relations
The Division of Development and Alumni Relations at the University of Georgia advances the goals, objectives, and priorities of the university by generating private financial support, building, and maintaining relationships with alumni and donors, and assisting students with career development opportunities.
College/Unit/Department website www.dar.uga.edu Posting Type External Retirement Plan TRS or ORP Employment Type Employee Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible Full/Part time Full Time Work Schedule Additional Schedule Information
8:00am–5:00pm; Willing and able to work evenings and weekends as necessary
Advertised Salary $60,000+ commensurate with qualifications and experience Posting Date 05/28/2026 Open until filled Yes Closing Date Proposed Starting Date 08/01/2026 Special Instructions to Applicants
• This position is structured as a permanent position within the Division of Development & Alumni Relations. We are unable to sponsor a work visa for this position.
Location of Vacancy Athens Area EEO Policy Statement
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ( hrweb@uga.edu ).
USG Core Values Statement
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02.
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.
Position Information
Classification Title Corp & Foundation Rel Pro I FLSA Exempt FTE 1.00 Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent
Preferred Qualifications
• Professional work experience in grant writing or similar solicitations to grant-making organizations.
• Professional work experience at a university or other higher education setting.
• Ability to develop meaningful relationships with foundation and key university personnel.
Position Summary
This position reports to the Senior Director of Foundation Relations. The Assistant Director of Foundation Relations is integral to the University of Georgia’s efforts to identify and cultivate private support across all schools, colleges, and units on campus.
The Assistant Director of Foundation Relations is responsible for the development of relationships with private foundations. They identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward foundation donors. In addition, this person works collaboratively with UGA faculty, staff, and development colleagues to write, edit, review, and prepare proposals or grant applications for final submission to private grantmakers. This role is distinct from those focused on securing funds from individuals or government grantmaking agencies.
The Assistant Director also develops and maintains relationships with foundation representatives through an assigned portfolio of centrally managed foundation donors and prospects.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities And/or Competencies
• Self-starter and highly motivated.
• Collaborative style combined with the ability and desire to work in a team-based environment.
• Ability to establish the trust of colleagues and build strong relationships.
• Excellent writing skills with extreme attention to detail and confident, strong verbal communication.
• Problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while being flexible.
• Team-oriented strategist able to effectively manage complex situations involving numerous and sometimes competing constituencies.
• Highly organized and able to handle multiple projects.
• Analytical, with adherence to self-guided goals and deadlines.
• Adept at navigating complex environments with evolving priorities.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to university business and confidential donor and prospect information.
Additional Division Expectations
• Through open, honest, and respectful communication, all staff, supervisors, and colleagues of the Division of Development & Alumni Relations are expected to interact with fairness, compassion, and decency. All employees will be held accountable for meeting the expectation of promoting a stable, productive, and healthy work environment.
• Adherence to CASE standards and commonly accepted industry standards relating to fundraising reporting are expected of all fundraisers. All fundraisers will be held accountable for meeting this expectation.
Physical Demands
• Sit and work in a standard office environment or vehicle for extended periods of time
• Hold a valid driver’s license
• Driving as needed to perform job duties
• Travel in and out of state as necessary
• Work evenings and weekends as necessary
• Work using electronic mail, telephone, face-to-face discussions, paper form correspondence
• Communicate effectively in writing, speaking, and listening
• Organize and establish priorities; Remember detail; multi-task
• Lift and/or move up to 30 pounds
• Walk, stand, stoop, lift, kneel, climb
Is driving a responsibility of this position? Yes Is this a Position of Trust? Yes Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? No Does this position require a P-Card? No Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? No Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) Yes Credit and P-Card policy
Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website .
Background Investigation Policy
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website .
Duties/Responsibilities
Duties/Responsibilities
Foundation Prospect Identification and Relationship Management
• Actively manage and work to engage 25-35 foundation prospects, with a focus on those likely to yield gifts from $25k to $100k.
• Identify and/or monitor funding opportunities from foundations/private grantmakers.
• Identify and research new foundation prospects; map out strategy for an approach, including possibilities for leveraging existing relationships.
• Reach out to foundations/private grantmakers to share information about university initiatives and gather information about funding opportunities; cultivate relationships with relevant personnel
• Cultivate internal knowledge and relationships. Proactively work to learn about faculty research and programs or initiatives in the various schools/colleges/units.
• Stay apprised of institutional priorities and look for alignment with the priorities of current or potential foundation partners.
• Share funding opportunities with faculty and development colleagues
• Counsel and guide faculty, administrators, and unit development directors regarding the funding potential for projects and programs in need of private support.
Percentage of time 35 Duties/Responsibilities
Proposal Development and Grant Submission
• Seek funding for university priorities by managing or supporting the development of proposals/grant applications, including the planning, writing, revision, and submission.
• Collaborate with faculty, university leaders and administrators, development staff, and/or UGA’s Research professionals in the development of proposals/grant applications. This often includes developing project budgets and working with various business offices across campus.
• Serve as liaison between internal stakeholders (applicants) and grantmakers throughout submission process
• Manage submission processes that can be complex and often involve multiple stakeholders (internal and external)
• Ensure submissions meet specific requirements of each funder and are submitted on deadline.
Percentage of time 35 Duties/Responsibilities
Award Management and Stewardship
• Collaborate with appropriate personnel at the UGA Foundation to navigate processes and policies for receiving funds; manage interactions between internal stakeholders, UGA Foundation, and funder
• Work with campus partners to ensure that required reports on the use of funds are accurate and on time
• Work with campus partners to identify stewardship opportunities and communicate the impact of funding from private grantmakers.
• Serve as primary liaison to the Industry and Foundation Partnerships team on matters of stewardship and external publicity.
Percentage of time 25 Duties/Responsibilities
Administrative Processing, Coordination, and Professional Development
• Document all prospect contacts and interactions in the development database.
• Communicate with the Foundation Relations team regularly on projects and initiatives that might be of shared interest, sharing funding needs, and potential strategies for pursuing support.
• Attend development staff meetings as required. Participate in university events and programs, as well as continuing education as needed.
• Pursue professional development opportunities aligned with the work and mission of the Foundation Relations team.
Percentage of time 5
Contact Information
Recruitment Contact
Contact Details
For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.
Recruitment Contact Name Development & Alumni Relations’ Office of Talent Management Recruitment Contact Email dartalent@uga.edu Recruitment Contact Phone
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
• * How did you hear about this job opportunity in the Division of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR)?
• Chronicle of Higher Education
• DAR Careers Page
• Handshake
• Insight Into Academia
• Inside Higher Ed
• LinkedIn
• UGAJobs (UGA's job board)
• Other (Please provide name of source)
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
Optional Documents
Higher Education
Business Development and Sales
Full-time