AVP Corporate Affairs and Business Development

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University • Daytona Beach, FL

1d

About The Position

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University seeks an accomplished, collaborative Associate Vice President of Corporate Relations to lead and strengthen engagement with corporations and industry partners. Reporting to the Vice President of External Affairs and Strategic Initiatives, this role develops and coordinates enterprise-level corporate relationships that advance institutional priorities, visibility, academic programs, research initiatives, and executive engagement.

Working across the University’s campuses and administrative areas, the Associate Vice President ensures corporate relationships are coordinated, purposeful, and responsive to institutional priorities. In partnership with Career Services, Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, academic leaders, research teams, and other stakeholders, the role connects corporate partners with appropriate University resources and supports a unified approach to engagement. Its primary focus is cultivating executive relationships, developing long-term industry partnerships, and identifying opportunities that advance the University’s strategic objectives.

The role chairs the University’s External Affairs Workgroup, serves as the primary relationship manager for The Boeing Company, oversees corporate-relations reporting and Salesforce relationship information, and supervises the Corporate Relations Specialist. It also manages an annual operating expense budget of approximately $150,000. The position operates primarily in a professional office environment, requires moderate travel, and may involve occasional evening or weekend work.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in business or a closely related field.
• Five to ten years of progressively responsible experience in corporate relations, strategic partnerships, business development, executive engagement, external affairs, or a related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the aviation and aerospace industries.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to understand and advance complex institutional and corporate priorities.
• Demonstrated success establishing and maintaining relationships with C-suite executives and other senior organizational leaders.
• Ability to work collaboratively and diplomatically across a complex, multi-campus organization.
• Experience coordinating initiatives involving multiple departments, senior leaders, and external partners.
• Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-management skills.
• Experience preparing executive briefings and coordinating high-profile meetings, visits, conferences, trade shows, or industry events.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple strategic initiatives and competing priorities.
• Demonstrated discretion and sound judgment when handling sensitive or confidential matters.
• Willingness and ability to travel moderately and work outside normal business hours when required.
• Comprehensive understanding of corporate engagement, strategic partnerships, and executive relationship management.
• Ability to translate institutional priorities into compelling partnership opportunities and connect external partners with appropriate University expertise and resources.
• Strong interpersonal skills and credibility with executives, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to influence outcomes and facilitate collaboration without relying solely on direct authority.
• Excellent professional judgment and ability to navigate complex organizational relationships.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to use engagement data, scorecards, and reporting to inform strategy.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively to a variety of audiences.
• Commitment to collaboration, transparency, and coordinated relationship management across the University.

Nice To Haves

• Doctorate in business, aviation, aerospace, or a related field.
• Experience using Salesforce or another customer relationship management platform.
• Experience working in higher education or another complex, decentralized organization.
• Established relationships within the aviation, aerospace, technology, or related industries.
• Experience developing and managing enterprise-level corporate partnership strategies.
• Experience supporting collaborations involving academic programs, research initiatives, innovation, workforce needs, and executive engagement.
• Supervisory or team-leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead a University-wide corporate-relations strategy aligned with Embry-Riddle’s institutional priorities.
• Build, strengthen, and manage relationships with senior executives and decision-makers at priority corporations and industry organizations.
• Conduct business development activities related to Embry-Riddle’s Research Park and other corporate interests that benefit the University.
• Connect corporate partners with appropriate University leaders, colleges, research teams, programs, and administrative areas.
• Manage and regularly update the University’s corporate balanced scorecard; work with internal relationship managers to establish priorities, monitor progress, and identify opportunities.
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for The Boeing Company and coordinate University-wide engagement, including planning and executing Boeing Week.
• Collaborate with Career Services to connect strategic corporate relationships with employer-engagement opportunities.
• Partner with Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement when corporate relationships may present opportunities for philanthropic support, sponsorship, foundation engagement, or other institutional investment.
• Work with academic and research leaders to identify opportunities for strategic partnerships, applied research, executive engagement, sponsored initiatives, and other collaborations.
• Chair the University’s External Affairs Workgroup and promote coordinated communication and relationship management across campuses and departments.
• Oversee corporate-relations reporting and support accurate, consistent maintenance of relationship and engagement information in Salesforce.
• Develop executive briefings, background and informational materials, engagement strategies, and follow-up plans for senior University leaders.
• Plan and support executive participation at major aviation, aerospace, and industry events, including the Space Symposium, Paris Air Show, and Farnborough International Airshow.
• Coordinate leadership schedules, meetings, briefing materials, informational packets, marketing materials, and follow-up activities related to trade shows, conferences, corporate visits, business development, and external engagements.
• Plan and coordinate visits from corporate executives and distinguished industry leaders with appropriate University stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to increase meaningful corporate engagement on campus and in external industry settings.
• Coordinate and manage institutional sponsorship requests involving external organizations, maintain accurate records, and secure required approvals.
• Supervise and provide strategic direction to the Corporate Relations Specialist.
• Manage an annual operating expense budget of approximately $150,000.
• Perform other duties and support strategic initiatives as assigned.

Benefits

• Up to 18 days of paid leave in the first year, including 3 days granted upon hire and 15 days accrued throughout the year.
• At least 9 paid holidays, including the day after Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.
• 100% tuition coverage for the employee for one undergraduate degree and one graduate degree.
• Discounted tuition rates for the employee’s spouse and dependent children up to age 26.
• Employer retirement contribution of 6% of base salary and a 4% matching contribution, with no vesting period.
• Personal leave of 15 days for non-exempt employees or 18 days for exempt full-time employees in the first year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior