Associate Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations

Associate Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations

About Middle East Institute

Founded in 1946, the Middle East Institute is the oldest Washington-based institution dedicated solely to the study of the Middle East. It is a non-partisan think tank providing expert policy analysis, educational and professional development services, and a hub for engaging with the region's arts and culture.

Position Title: Associate Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations

Company: Middle East Institute

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: On-Site | Washington, DC

MEI is searching for an Associate Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations, with 2-5 years of experience to provide high-level administrative support to scholars and senior staff as we expand and diversify our portfolio of corporate members and grant awards.

The associate director will report directly to the Chief Development Officer and work closely with our policy experts and executive leadership to identify, solicit, onboard, and steward a diverse range of new and existing corporate members. They will also be responsible for identifying and soliciting philanthropic foundations to support new and existing projects in MEI’s Policy Center, Arts and Culture Center, and Education Center. This includes conducting prospect research, writing proposals, drafting budgets, coordinating with relevant internal stakeholders, and managing lines of communication with counterparts within relevant foundations. The associate director will also work closely with the Chief Development Officer and other development staff to achieve annual revenue goals, improve professional systems, liaise with senior staff, and communicate effectively with the Board of Governors.

This individual must have proven fundraising experience and demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively with counterparts in major corporations and foundations. They must also have a strong understanding of non-profit management, and demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals at the executive and board of governors level. The successful candidate will have strong organizational and writing skills, and ideally will have experience working with non-profit management teams to develop medium-to-long-term fundraising proposals.

Competitive candidates should also have a strong understanding of International Relations, ideally with some knowledge of the Middle East and regional languages so that they can productively engage with MEI scholars and their work, as well as corporate/foundation counterparts from the region.

Responsibilities:

1. Working closely with scholars and senior management to understand MEI’s financial needs and how best to match them with relevant and interested funding bodies.
2. Stewarding current corporate members and working with senior management to renew annual memberships.
3. Identifying, soliciting, and onboarding a diverse range of new corporate members from the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and elsewhere.
4. Developing, refining, and sustaining MEI’s corporate membership scheme on a regular basis so that it best fits the needs of the institute and its members.
5. Expanding MEI’s network of relationships with charitable foundations interested in funding current and new projects at MEI.
6. Drafting, reviewing, and submitting budgets and grant proposals to foundations for new and current projects at MEI.
7. Coordinating with scholars and foundation counterparts to ensure that grant deadlines and submissions are met on schedule.
8. Collaborating with the development team to refine internal systems, expand MEI’s fundraising operation, and successfully complete other development projects as needed.

Knowledge and Skills:

1. Strong communication and people skills.
2. Strong writing, editing, administrative, and organizational skills.
3. Extraordinary attention to detail.
4. Ability to meet multiple competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
5. Knowledge of non-profit management and non-profit corporate membership schemes.
6. Experience in fundraising, external relations, and strategic development.
7. Experience crafting a case for support of policy and education-related projects.
8. Knowledge and familiarity with research techniques for fundraising prospect research.
9. Knowledge and familiarity of the Middle East, and an ability to engage in meaningful policy- and culture-oriented discussions on the region.
10. The ability to develop and maintain administrative systems.
11. Strong contributor in team environments.

Qualifications:

1. Minimum of two years experience in development and/or external relations.
2. Proven experience with non-profit fundraising.
3. Experience communicating effectively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
4. Some project management or implementation experience is preferred.
5. Able to work well in a team environment, handle multiple assignments, and meet deadlines.