Director of Foundation Relations

Organization Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC)

The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) is seeking a Director of Foundation Relations in our Charlottesville, VA office. This individual will join the fundraising leadership team and report to the Chief Development Officer. The Director of Foundation Relations will lead SELC’s foundation relations program and oversee a growing team. The Director will develop and execute strategies and initiatives to expand philanthropic support from leading environmental and national funders, advancing SELC’s long-term goals and impact.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly successful, nationally recognized organization that is effectively addressing some of the most pressing and challenging environmental issues throughout the South and the nation.

The ideal candidate will bring a deep commitment to SELC’s mission, at least ten years of professional fundraising experience, demonstrated success in foundation relations, and a proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams.

SELC has a hybrid work model that offers employees flexibility to work remotely up to two days per week. This is a full-time exempt position. Employment is contingent on successful completion of a criminal background check.

• Lead and execute a comprehensive foundation relations strategy that increases philanthropic support from national, regional, and local foundations aligned with SELC’s mission and priorities.
• Manage, supervise, and mentor the foundation relations team, currently two foundation relations officers and two grant administrators. Oversee hiring and training processes for all new foundation staff. Foster a collaborative, high-performing culture and support continued team growth and professional development.
• Lead the strategic buildout of SELC’s foundation fundraising efforts. Design and implement systems and infrastructure to enable the department to operate efficiently, scale effectively, and achieve long-term strategic goals. Engineer solutions to meet capacity needs.
• Establish and track performance metrics for the foundation relations program, ensuring progress toward annual fundraising goals and long-term growth objectives.
• Partner with organizational leadership to strengthen SELC’s foundation engagement capacity by institutionalizing practices, systems, and training that support relationship-building with key funders, while cultivating opportunities for SELC leaders to enhance their visibility and influence within the philanthropic community through strategic external engagement and thought leadership.
• Oversee a portfolio of major foundation prospects and donors, developing customized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Partner closely with the Chief Development Officer and development leadership to establish fundraising goals and team workplans, establishing clear priorities, goals, and accountability measures while fostering strong collaboration and buy-in across the foundation relations team.
• Serve as a strategic partner to organizational leadership in translating SELC’s priorities, emerging work, and impact into compelling foundation funding opportunities.
• This is a position with region-wide focus and responsibility that requires occasional travel.

• A bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum ten years of professional fundraising, grantmaking, or related experience.
• Previous management experience, preferably during a period of revenue growth or institutional expansion.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, particularly in the context of donor/prospect actions.
• Strong knowledge of philanthropic trends, foundation priorities, and best practices in institutional giving.
• The ability to quickly grasp and thoughtfully articulate complex concepts while maintaining a sense of intellectual curiosity.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Comfortable with picking up the telephone and welcomes face-to-face contact.
• A demonstrated ability to work with a wide range of individual styles, both in the office with colleagues, and externally with…