The Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) is the only foundation serving the entire orthopaedic community. OREF funds breakthrough research in orthopaedics, while simultaneously launching new researchers’ careers.
 
Over the past 20 years, orthopaedic diseases and conditions have increased by an astonishing 45%. As people age and enjoy a wider array of activities than ever before, best-in-class orthopaedic medicine is fundamental to an active, healthy, pain-free life. In 1955, leaders of the major professional organizations in the specialty—the American Orthopaedic Association, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Orthopaedic Research Society—established OREF as a means of supporting research and education toward building the scientific base of clinical practice.   Since its founding 60 years ago, the foundation has raised more than $120 million to fund 4,000 grants supporting research and education to advance treatment and care of diseases and injuries of bones, joints, nerves and muscles. Now at a pivotal stage in the organization’s history, OREF is on track during the next 5 years to generate additional revenue with a goal to double the current annual $2.5 million grant portfolio.
 
Guided by Vision 2015, a document developed through a collaboration of the 23 members of the Board of Trustees and the OREF leadership staff, OREF is poised to continue its role as a convener and collaborator, bringing together 54 partner organizations and various arms of the orthopaedic specialty to achieve common goals. Members of the OREF Board of Trustees are Orthopaedic Surgeons who have established medical practices throughout the United States.
 

OREF’s Collaborative Research Agenda
 
OREF is uniquely positioned to convene the best minds in orthopaedics to drive research forward. Through the Collaborative Research Agenda, OREF brings together researchers, surgeons, industry partners and other important stakeholders to identify the most important issues in orthopaedics today. This collaboration ensures that the research that addresses musculoskeletal injury and disease, which impacts large portions of the population, is funded.
 
A variety of opportunities for corporate and foundation funders to support research grants are available. OREF’s grant programs are designed to strengthen and expand orthopaedic research by providing funding support to both new and experienced investigators. OREF adopts a research agenda that favors funding goal-directed projects. The current grants model consists of inviting investigators to submit applications based on Requests for Applications (RFAs). Independent peer reviewers, who are vetted to ensure the absence of any conflicts of interest, review the applications. Grants are awarded based on the scientific merit of the application and available funding. Funded projects are monitored for the duration of the grant period and recipients must comply with strict reporting requirements.
 
The Foundation offices are in Rosemont, IL and are easily accessible by car or public transportation.  OREF currently offers a small office environment with 15 employees and operates on a $5 million budget.

OREF Vision
OREF’s vision is to be the leading organization in supporting orthopaedic research to improve function, eliminate pain and restore mobility.  
 
OREF Mission
Improving lives by supporting excellence in orthopaedic research.
 
The Opportunity: Corporate Relations Specialist
 
As a key member of the OREF team, the Corporate Relations Specialist will work under the direction and supervision of the Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, to help develop and implement a comprehensive strategic development plan focused on increasing and maintaining current industry donor support for OREF grants.
 
This position will be filled by a professional with a successful record of raising corporate and foundation/grant support. The Specialist will manage and build an existing portfolio of corporate and foundation donors (currently approximately 30) and develop strategies to expand strategic partnerships within the orthopaedic community leading to increased support for OREF. The Specialist will have a strong understanding of pipelines and the importance of stewardship.  The Specialist will also serve as an important player toward the team’s efforts to reach a $1.65 million annual corporate support goal. The strongest applicants will possess a proven track record in providing creative and innovative leadership in corporate relations, and in promoting and administering dynamic fundraising strategies. The successful candidate will have demonstrated skills for engaging corporate leaders in philanthropic partnerships.
 
Primary Performance Objectives
 
Leadership and Planning

• With the Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, develop and execute a corporate and foundation fundraising plan consistent with OREF policy, needs, goals and revenue objectives.
• Establish a greater awareness and ensure credibility in the community regarding OREF’s opportunities for corporate and foundation partnerships.
• Encourage current partnerships to grow in breadth and scope to support OREF’s mission.
• Develop and monitor a moves management system to encourage continued and stronger corporate engagement from companies over time.
• Effectively communicate OREF’s mission, goals and accomplishments to corporate and foundation partners, prospective partners and volunteers.
• Generate reports to track and analyze key corporate relations activities and results, ongoing and new.

 
Fund Development

• In conjunction with the Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, create, maintain and grow a strong pipeline of viable corporate partners by identifying key corporate decision makers and proactively reach out to companies to establish new partnership meetings.
• Direct the annual corporate support campaign by utilizing the Corporate Development Committee (CDC).
• Increase corporate philanthropic support and engagement and meet strategic objectives by further developing, implementing and routinely evaluating a comprehensive corporate relations program.
• Expand opportunities for cultivation and engagement of new corporate and volunteer partners.
• Analyze potential partners’ corporate funding priorities to match their interests with OREF opportunities.
• Maintain positive and appropriate relationships with current and past corporate donors; ensure strong cultivation, solicitation and stewardship programs are in place and effective to achieve this end.
• Contribute strategic input to the OREF team relative to events to grow corporate and volunteer support.
• Work with marketing staff to develop materials to publicize corporate partnership opportunities.
• Oversee the Corporate Prospect Management System (CPMS). This includes the research, identification, qualification and documentation of OREF’s corporate donor prospects to ensure that staff and volunteers have accurate information.
• Author, prepare, and submit written and online grant applications and support materials.
• Develop and submit written reports as required by corporate donors.
• Generate and update financial and informational reports for the CDC, OREF Board Meetings and industry presentations.
• Coordinate and manage OREF corporate-related activities including recognition, CDC conference calls and meetings.
• Monitor corporate donor records and create Corporate Funding Summaries.

 
Other

• Monitor and adhere to compliance requirements within industry partners’ protocols.
• Coordinate the identification, collection and shipment of corporate-related exhibits for events.
• Monitor trends and opportunities within the industry.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and the Chief Executive Officer.

 
The Qualified Candidate
 
OREF is seeking an accomplished, focused development professional with strong Association or healthcare nonprofit experience to serve as its Corporate Relations Specialist. S/he will be self-motivated, results-oriented, resourceful, creative, highly energetic and intelligent, with exceptional interpersonal, communication, relationship-building and organizational skills. The successful candidate will be passionate and knowledgeable about OREF’s mission, and polished and respectful in communication with OREF Trustees and other stakeholders. The candidate must have a track record of following through on promises.  An enthusiastic outlook and a collaborative nature with an eye toward building internal and external partnerships is essential.
 
Specific Requirements Include:
 

• A commitment to OREF’s mission, with a genuine willingness to continually learn about orthopaedic research.
• Medical or healthcare association or nonprofit experience.
• Minimum 3 years of experience as a corporate relations/fundraising professional, with a history of success in securing and managing multiple $100,000+ partnerships.
• Working knowledge of AdvaMed, PhRMA, OIG and Sunshine Act preferred.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Sound organizational abilities and a high degree of initiative and creativity.
• Strong interpersonal skills; experience in relating to high-level business and medical professionals advantageous.
• Proficiency in MS Office and donor database systems (Raiser’s Edge preferred).
• Desire to collaborate closely with other staff.
• Ability to travel
• Bachelor’s degree required, business or marketing concentration preferred.
• CAE or CFRE certification preferred, but not required

 
This position offers a competitive salary with generous benefits. All inquiries will be held in strict confidence. The Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria.
 
To Apply
 
This search is being managed by Laura Weinman, Senior Consultant, of Alford Executive Search, a division of KEES. Questions may be addressed to lweinman@alfordexecutivesearch.com.
 
To apply, candidates should submit their cover letter and resume by clicking the APPLY NOW button at the bottom of the page. To assure confidential tracking, no resumes will be accepted via email.
 
Alford Executive Search (www.alfordexecutivesearch.com), a division of KEES: Kistner Eddy Executive Services, is a retained search firm dedicated to providing recruitment services of exceptional quality and strengthening the not-for-profit community through professional staffing solutions.