Executive Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations

1 week ago

WinstonSalem, North Carolina, United States InsideHigherEd Full time

Job Description Summary:

This is a new position, joining a dynamic and highly collaborative Corporate & Foundation Relations (CFR) team that serves the Reynolda Campus at Wake Forest. Reporting to the Associate Vice President of CFR, the Executive Director will work closely with the AVP, teammates, and key campus partners to secure CFR support for identified teaching and research priorities, with a special emphasis on existing and emerging interdisciplinary initiatives such as Environment & Sustainability, Neuroscience and Society, and Health, Medicine, and Humanity.


The Executive Director manages a portfolio of existing relationships with institutional partners, leads efforts to identify new foundation and corporate prospects, and develops and implements successful cultivation and solicitation strategies to include the preparation of compelling proposals and other collateral. Works effectively and collaboratively with faculty, administrators, advancement staff, and colleagues, as well as external advocates and partners. Makes personal visits on corporate and foundation prospects and coordinates related visits by other Wake Forest representatives. As well, the Executive Director will be a critical partner (with key academic and administrative colleagues) in jointly identifying opportunities to manage and maximize philanthropic relationships with significant corporate partners that are broadly engaged with Wake Forest.

Essential Functions:

  • Collaborates with the Associate Vice President and CFR team to create and implement CFR's annual plan and to undertake longer-range planning. 
  • Maintains an in-depth knowledge of University funding priorities, including a broad understanding of institutional research strengths. 
  • Prepares and/or oversees the preparation of comprehensive proposals and related collateral for corporate and foundation prospects. 
  • Identifies promising opportunities - particularly interdisciplinary and cross-school initiatives - and works with appropriate faculty, academic administrators, and external advocates to secure support for those institutional priorities. 
  • Makes personal calls on corporate and foundation officers and external advocates such as alumni, parents, and friends of Wake Forest. Builds and sustains these relationships in concert with others, to include principal investigators and other subject matter experts. 
  • Manages the creation of briefing documents in preparation for leadership interactions (on-campus and externally) with foundation and corporate officers. 
  • Works closely with key campus offices such as Research & Sponsored Programs and Corporate Engagement to ensure collaboration and communication, emphasizing a culture of strategic partnerships, internally and externally. 
  • In collaboration with campus partners, serves as a key contributor to and leader in foundation and corporate relations training for faculty and development staff through meetings and workshops.

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

  • Bachelor's degree, with a minimum of eight to ten years of experience in foundation and corporate fundraising, preferably at a Research 1 institution. 
  • Experience building and maintaining strong relationships with industry partners, foundation representatives and key university stakeholders. 
  • Experience securing $1M+ gifts and grants from corporations and foundations in a higher education or nonprofit setting. 
  • Comprehensive knowledge of corporate and foundation fundraising techniques and funding sources, including landscape analysis. Demonstrated ability to thrive in a complex and dynamic environment, managing conflicting priorities and coordination of multiple projects, while maintaining productive professional relationships. 
  • Strong team player who enjoys working collaboratively and demonstrates initiative, creativity, sound judgment, and discretion. Able to both delegate and execute as circumstances require. 
  • Exceptional writing, editing, communication, and problem-solving skills. Ability to synthesize complex material, to translate it into readable and engaging prose, and to personally communicate it clearly, succinctly, and with conviction. 
  • Proficiency in the technology tools required to successfully execute essential functions, such as proposal budget preparation, fiscal management, and database management. 
  • Keen interest in Wake Forest, its history, organization, and a dedication to the teacher-scholar model and the education of the whole person. 
  • Ability to travel for University business and to work evenings and weekends as needed. Ability to meet the requirements of the University's automobile insurance. 

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • An advanced degree.
  • 5+ years of progressive administrative and leadership experience in higher education advancement. 
  • Strong record of working with both development colleagues and executive leadership (deans, program/center directors) to develop strategy and close gifts. 
  • Experience in leading and managing the role of CFR within institutional teams focused on large, cross-campus initiatives. 
  • Proven experience in optimizing the interface between Development and Research enterprises. 
  • Principle Gift-CFR collaborations around high-net-worth individuals giving through multiple vehicles. 

Accountabilities:

  • Responsible for own work.
  • Supervises Assistant Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions:

Sedentary work primarily involving sitting/standing; communicating with others to exchange information; repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers; and assessing the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned. No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Note: This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by the employee's supervisor.

To help provide a safe learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final candidates being considered for employment.

Wake Forest seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce and encourages qualified candidates across all group demographics to apply

Wake Forest University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in employment for individuals with disabilities

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