Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) seeks a collaborative, strategic, and expert institutional fundraiser to serve as the director of corporate and foundation relations (director). Reporting to the chief development officer (CDO), the director will provide strategic leadership for GMRI's private institutional fundraising program, including foundation and corporate funding. The director will develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy that strengthens GMRI's portfolio of philanthropic partnerships, expands institutional revenue, and positions the organization for sustained long-term investment.

The director joins GMRI at a pivotal moment. The organization is advancing a $100 million comprehensive campaign, the largest fundraising initiative in its history—now in its readiness and quiet phase. Guided by a new strategic plan and the leadership of President & CEO Glenn Prickett, the director will have the extraordinary opportunity to help shape the future of one of the nation's leading marine research organizations, building deep, lasting partnerships with private foundations and corporate funders whose investments protect our ocean, scaling the blue economy, and safeguarding the vitality of coastal communities.

Working collaboratively with scientists, program leaders, finance staff, and executive leadership, the director will oversee the full lifecycle of institutional fundraising—from prospect identification and relationship development through proposal strategy, grant development, stewardship, and renewal. The director will manage a portfolio of approximately 50-75 national, regional, and statewide foundations and corporations capable of making philanthropic investments of $500,000 or more. Working in partnership with the CDO, the director ensures that institutional funding opportunities align with GMRI's strategic priorities and that proposals effectively communicate the organization's scientific excellence, measurable impact, and vision for the future.

The director will also lead GMRI's institutional fundraising staff and consultants—including providing leadership, coaching, and strategic guidance to a corporate relations manager—while serving as a trusted advisor to colleagues, volunteers, and program leaders across the organization. This individual will help build the systems, practices, and collaborative culture needed to sustain a high-performing grants and corporate relations program well beyond the current campaign, translating complex research and impact initiatives into compelling, fundable opportunities.

Rebecca Kennedy (she/her) is leading this search with Becky Piper (she/her) and Marlyn Desire (she/her).

Research shows that people belonging to structurally marginalized groups often only apply to jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. As no one ever meets 100% of the qualifications, we encourage you to apply if you feel that most of the above qualifications reflect your experience and expertise.

Gulf of Maine Research Institute has a long-standing policy and commitment to providing equal access and equal employment opportunities in all terms, conditions, processes, and benefits of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. GMRI's employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.