Director Of Business Development

Job Title: Director of Business Development
Organization: Formula Hybrid + Electric Competition, Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth
Location: Remote/Hybrid
Position Type: 1-year renewable contract
Hours: Part-time or full-time, flexible
Compensation: Competitive; includes performance-based incentives

About the Formula Hybrid + Electric (FH+E) Competition

The Formula Hybrid + Electric Competition (FH+E) at Dartmouth’s Thayer School of Engineering is a nationally recognized collegiate engineering competition in which university teams design, build, and race high-performance hybrid and electric race cars. The program promotes innovation, sustainability, and hands-on engineering education while connecting students with industry leaders.

Held annually at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, FH+E draws approximately 30 university teams, 600 students, 150 volunteers, and hundreds of K–12 visitors.  Recent competition videos are here: 2024, 2025.

To support our continued growth, FH+E seeks a skilled and motivated Director of Business Development to expand sponsorships, secure grant funding, and advance industry engagement.

Position Overview

The Director of Business Development will lead sponsor, grant, and philanthropic engagement on behalf of FH+E. This position is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and stewarding funding partners that support program operations, student employment opportunities, volunteer development, and long-term organizational sustainability.

This role reports to the FH+E Program Director and operates with significant autonomy. Remote or hybrid work arrangements are fully supported.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated success securing sponsorships, grants, or philanthropic support in a nonprofit, higher education, STEM, or highly transferable business development environment.
• Strong relationship-building skills with an ability to engage corporate, foundation, and individual partners.
• Knowledge of nonprofit development principles, grant processes, or comparable sales/account management practices.
• Ability to travel for partner meetings, events, and networking opportunities.
• Strong collaboration skills and comfort working across FH+E, Thayer School, and Dartmouth stakeholders.
• Self-directed approach to learning, skill development, and process improvement.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience writing sponsorship materials, persuasive funding communications or grant proposals.
• Strong organizational, planning, and strategic-thinking skills.
• Marketing, negotiation, and stakeholder-engagement experience.
• Experience working with senior administrators, corporate partners, or volunteer leaders.
• Interest or background in electric/hybrid vehicles, STEM education, engineering, or sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

1. Sponsor & Donor Development (≈70%)

• Identify, cultivate, and solicit new sponsors, donors, and in-kind partners.
• Develop customized proposals and pitch materials aligned with partner priorities.
• Maintain and grow long-term relationships that support competition funding, student employment opportunities, and volunteer development.
• Represent FH+E at industry events, conferences, and networking sessions.
• Lead or support promotional activities that engage current and prospective sponsors.

2. Foundation & Grant Development (≈20%)

• Identify relevant foundation opportunities and funding cycles.
• Prepare and submit compelling grant applications.
• Track application status, reporting requirements, and renewal opportunities.

3. Reporting & Collaboration (≈10%)

• Implement and maintain a simple CRM process to track all sponsor, grant, donor, and grant activity.
• Share updates and collaborate with FH+E and Thayer School partners.
• Contribute to a professional, inclusive, and welcoming team environment.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.