Director of Corporate & Foundation Engagement, College of Science & Engineering (CSE) - Military Veterans

Overview

The Director will drive the corporate and foundation engagement strategy for the College of Science and Engineering and manage a portfolio of corporate and private foundations to drive research, sponsorships, and philanthropy. The University of Minnesota, a top 3 institution in the Big 10 for philanthropic corporate production, is a national model in corporate engagement, and is uniquely comprehensive among R1 universities. The College of Science and Engineering, with graduate programs ranked top 25 nationally among public universities, combines engineering with physical and computer sciences, offering significant opportunities to address interdisciplinary challenges. The college averages $15M annually in corporate and foundation support, benefiting from Minnesota's strong corporate presence, including 15 Fortune 500 companies and many large private corporations.

This position will report to the Senior Director of Corporate and Foundation Engagement at the University of MN Foundation with a dotted line to the Associate Dean for Research in the College of Science and Engineering

Starting salary: $105,000- $120,000 based on experience.

Responsibilities:

Manage a portfolio of corporate and foundation prospects (70%):

• Build and manage a portfolio of approximately 60-75 corporate and foundation partners on behalf of the University of Minnesota and the College of Science and Engineering. Effectively present the case for engagement, research collaboration, and philanthropic support.
• Create and maintain strategies to secure investments of $50,000+ through sponsored research proposals, philanthropy, and sponsorships.

Drive Corporate and Foundation Strategy for the College of Science and Engineering (15%):

• In partnership with the Dean and Associate Dean of research work to engage key corporate prospects in CSE research and collegiate priorities.
• Advance the Dean's vision for the college with key corporations and foundations (research investments and partnerships, technology transfer, philanthropic support).
• Engage key private sector R&D leaders with CSE academic leaders, faculty and students.

Liaise and coordinate across development programs and services (5%):

• Collaborate with prospect development department to meet research needs in support of CFE prospects.
• Collaborate with donor relations to create stewardship reports and events/activities aimed at ensuring a high level of stewardship.
• Work with CFE and CSE development staff, as assigned to organize roles/responsibilities for leadership involvement in relationship building and gift solicitation.

Collaborate and/or Lead campus partnerships (5%):

• Represent the College of Science and Engineering on the Corporate Engagement Center Leadership Council.
• Lead and/or participate on university-wide strategy teams to manage corporations in the strategic portfolio.
• Lead and participate on campus-wide work groups (ex. Career Services, Gopher Sports Properties, etc.) to drive campus collaboration around corporate engagement and investment.

Manage or collaborate with a Corporate Relations Associate (5%):

• This role may involve overseeing or working alongside a Corporate Relations Associate specializing in engineering and medicine corporate partnerships. Responsibilities may include qualifying prospects, working on proposals ranging from $25K to $100K, assisting undergraduate programs with sponsorship requests, and contributing to additional corporate engagement projects. Supervision of the Corporate Relations Associate is a potential aspect of this role, depending on department needs and the candidate's experience.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and five years' demonstrated ability to successfully solicit and close investments from corporations and foundations or private industry experience in marketing, sales, relationship management or related fields with an emphasis on cultivation and solicitation of organizations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of business and financial terminology.
• High degree of computer proficiency, including proficient use of software applications for word processing, financial spreadsheets, and electronic databases.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
• Experience with project management and the handling of multiple tasks with multiple deadlines.
• Demonstrated success in working independently but also collaboratively in a team setting. Solid relationship building skills with a diverse constituency.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, especially Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five (5) years of successful experience in corporate and foundation engagement work in higher education and/or a science and engineering related organization.
• Experience working with faculty and academic leaders to engage corporations through research and/or philanthropy.
• Demonstrated success in managing a portfolio of donors and strong understanding of the four core phases of development, identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Previous campaign experience.
• Ability to design/assist in the development of project budgets.