Associate Director / Senior Associate Director
Job Description
We are seeking an experienced and relationship-oriented professional to lead the School's Advancement & Development efforts. Reporting to the Director, Office of the Dean, the Senior Associate Director will drive fundraising, donor engagement, alumni relations, and strategic partnerships in support of the School's priorities. The role works closely with the Dean, faculty, alumni, donors, foundations, corporations, and the NUS Development Office to identify opportunities, cultivate long-term relationships, and secure philanthropic support for education, research and public engagement initiatives. Through strategic stakeholder engagement and partnership development, the role contributes to strengthening the School's reputation, sustainability and impact in Singapore, Asia and beyond.
1. Advancement Strategy and Fundraising
- Develop and implement the School's advancement and fundraising strategy in alignment with institutional priorities.
- Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major donors, foundations, corporations and philanthropic partners to secure financial support for the School's strategic initiatives.
- Build and manage a pipeline of prospective donors and funding opportunities, ensuring sustained growth in philanthropic support.
2. Donor and Stakeholder Engagement
- Serve as a key relationship manager for major donors, alumni leaders, foundations, corporations and strategic partners.
- Develop engagement strategies that deepen stakeholder commitment and strengthen long-term relationships with the School.
- Support the Dean and senior leadership in the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of high-value donors and partners.
3. Partnership Development
- Identify and develop strategic partnerships that advance the School's objectives in education, research, thought leadership and public engagement.
- Work with faculty, research centres and administrative units to originate and pursue partnership opportunities with government agencies, foundations, international organisations and industry partners.
- Negotiate and coordinate partnership initiatives, ensuring alignment of stakeholder interests and institutional priorities.
4. Case Development and Strategic Communications
- Translate academic, research and policy initiatives into compelling cases for philanthropic and partnership support.
- Work closely with faculty and School leadership to identify projects and programmes suitable for donor engagement.
- Collaborate with communications and marketing teams to develop donor-facing materials, proposals, impact reports and engagement campaigns.
5. Alumni and External Relations
- Contribute to the School's alumni engagement strategy, leveraging alumni networks to strengthen fundraising, partnerships and advocacy efforts.
- Represent the School at selected external engagements, industry events and stakeholder forums to enhance visibility and build strategic relationships.
- Support initiatives that strengthen the School's reputation and influence in Singapore, Asia and globally.
6. Stewardship and Impact Reporting
- Ensure donors and partners receive appropriate stewardship, recognition and reporting.
- Monitor and communicate the impact of philanthropic contributions and partnership initiatives.
- Maintain oversight of donor commitments, engagement activities and fundraising outcomes to ensure accountability and compliance.
7. Leadership and Institutional Collaboration
- Work closely with the NUS Development Office and relevant University stakeholders to align fundraising efforts and maximise institutional opportunities.
- Provide strategic advice to School leadership on advancement opportunities, donor engagement and partnership development.
- Contribute to the development of policies, processes and practices that strengthen the School's advancement capabilities.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree from a recognised university. Postgraduate qualifications are advantageous.
- At least 10 years of relevant experience in fundraising, advancement, stakeholder engagement, partnership development, business development, external relations or related fields.
- Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage senior leaders, donors and partners.
- Excellent communication, presentation and proposal development skills.
- Strategic thinker with strong project execution capabilities.
- Familiarity with the higher education, public policy, philanthropic or non-profit sectors will be an advantage.
- Demonstrated ability to navigate complex organisations and work effectively across multiple stakeholder groups.
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