External Relations at the University of Virginia (UVA) is seeking a highly qualified candidate to fill the role of Assistant Director of Foundation Relations . The University of Virginia has a strong and reputable advancement community, boasting effective, results-oriented, and resourceful professionals. Our community comprises a robust central advancement organization, 12 University schools, and more than 25 University-related programs. We offer a wide variety of career opportunities, as well as an outstanding environment for professional growth and development.

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Foundation Relations is responsible for building pipeline opportunities with private foundations to secure philanthropic support for university priorities. This position works closely with faculty, research administrators, and advancement colleagues to identify funding opportunities, craft compelling proposals, and steward existing foundation partners. The role will also support special collaborative projects that benefit the overall foundation relations program, which will provide valuable opportunities to build hands-on experience to further one’s career. The role requires strong strategic, writing, and relationship-management skills.

Responsibilities

Foundation Fundraising Serve as lead fundraiser for foundation funding opportunities of $150,000 and below.

Identify, cultivate, and solicit foundation prospects aligned with the university’s mission and funding priorities.

Collaborate with faculty and administrators to develop high-quality proposals for research, academic programs, scholarships, and institutional initiatives.

Manage the full grant lifecycle, from concept development and proposal submission to reporting and stewardship.

Ensure proposals and stewardship reports are tailored to each foundation’s interests and guidelines.

Stay abreast of the foundation funding landscape, including trends and announcements; synthesize and disseminate Requests for Proposals and key headlines to internal stakeholders.

Maintain accurate records in the university’s advancement database.

Strategic Collaboration & Internal Partnerships

Partner with faculty, development colleagues, and research offices to identify projects with strong funding potential.

Provide support, guidance, and resources to faculty and staff on foundation fundraising strategies.

Develop familiarity and working knowledge of UVA’s policies that govern foundation funding (gift vs. grant policies, etc.).

Team Collaboration on Large Proposals and Prospect Research Needs

When warranted, serve as a team contributor on proposals that are complex and in need of significant support.

Create funder prospect lists for faculty and development colleagues, in concert with the CFR Research Strategist.

Support more in-depth prospect research projects, such as preparing meeting briefing documents for leadership, co-author memos for Limited Submission Opportunities, and other projects.

CFR Stewardship

Reviewing acknowledgement letters for private foundations and companies to ensure content is accurate and appropriate for stewardship.

Staff and support corporate and foundation visits in partnership with CFR team members.

The ideal candidate will be organized, analytical, and detail oriented. They will have a proven ability to grasp complex subjects, meet deadlines, and be a motivated self-starter with strong communication skills.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree

Three years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with foundation relations fundraising and/or in a higher education environment is strongly preferred

Experience with CRM software (Salesforce is a plus) and fundraising research tools.

Experience using Microsoft Office suite of tools (Outlook, Excel, Word)

Self-starter with high level of initiative, ownership, and accountability; ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Superior project management and organization skills with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while adhering to tight deadlines.

Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to communicate confidently, professionally and effectively with stakeholders, leadership, and colleagues.

Demonstrated comfort and acuity in presenting and building relationships with university faculty and foundation partners.

Excellent interpersonal skills with a strong orientation toward collaboration and teamwork.

Ability to prioritize work and pivot quickly in response to shifting priorities.

Ability to work effectively in a complex environment and perform well under pressure individually and collaboratively as a part of a team.

A demonstrated interest in higher education and/or philanthropy and a willingness to quickly learn and develop deeper knowledge about these fields.

Commitment to confidentiality and discretion when dealing with sensitive data.

A keen sense of social awareness and emotional intelligence.

Exceptional attention to detail and high standard of excellence.

Physical Demands

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

Salary Range The anticipated hiring range is $65,000 - $75,000 , commensurate with education and experience.

Position Type & Work Location

This is an exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits .

This is a restricted position, which is dependent on funding and is contingent upon funding availability.

External Affairs at UVA, which includes the advancement function, offers a flexible and hybrid workplace. All team members must have access to and maintain a secure home office environment with high-speed internet service and be able to work collaboratively with others using a variety of technologies and tools. This hybrid position can be worked remotely, although frequent in-person work in our office building, on UVA Grounds, or at event venues is required. The ideal candidate will live within driving distance of our office building in Charlottesville, Virginia.

About UVA and the Community

To learn more about UVA and the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA .

Application Timeline

Application review will begin after October 7, 2025 .

Additional Requirements

Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.

This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

How to Apply

Please apply online , by searching for requisition number R0076996 . Complete an application with the following documents:

Resume

Cover Letter

Upload all materials into the resume submission field. You can submit multiple documents into this one field or combine them into one PDF. Applications without all required documents will not receive full consideration.

Internal applicants: Apply through your Workday profile by searching “Find Jobs.”

Reference Check Process

Reference checks will be completed by UVA’s third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.

Contact

For additional information about the position, please contact Sandi Hall, at .

For questions about the application process, please contact Jon Freeman, Recruiting Specialist at .

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Click here to read more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.