Corporate Engagement Officer

Wayne State University • Detroit, MI

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Corporate Engagement Officer at its Detroit campus location. Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.

The Corporate Engagement Officer will utilize best practices in fund development (identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship) to pursue and secure gifts from corporations, including corporate foundations. This role leverages a broad range of assets across the campus, including university programs, initiatives, research, physical space, events, and other activities to tell the story of its impact and inspire support. This includes non-revenue generating activities (i.e., talent pipeline development, experiential learning, etc.) that deepen relationships with prospective funders. This role will manage relationships internally and externally, support the development and execution of fundraising and engagement strategies, contribute to department metrics, and produce reports to document success.

Reports to the Assistant Vice President for Corporate Engagement.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in from an accredited University in Business, Public Administration, Development, Marketing, Communications, Project Management, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of job-related experience.
• Exemplary level of customer service a must.
• Ability to communicate topics including faculty research, leadership priorities and team directives clearly, concisely, and professionally both orally and in writing.
• Strong interpersonal skills including demonstrated abilities of communicating impact.
• Ability to manage, prioritize and advance multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining work plans, portfolio clients and day-to-day activities.
• Ability to work within deadlines a must.
• Strong organizational and time-management.
• Experience in executing strategy.
• Experience with creating development fundraising plans, preparing proposals, and conducting solicitations and securing gifts.
• Ability to evaluate, interpret, and articulate complex and often technical information effectively in professionally prepared documents or presentations.
• Demonstrated attention to detail to achieve high accuracy and persuasion.
• Proficient in the use of complex administrative systems software, preferably in the higher education environment.
• Proficient with a CRM system, Microsoft Office suite, especially Word, Excel and Powerpoint.
• Must have an appreciation for and interest in continuous learning and growth.
• Demonstrated experience researching topics to identify opportunities and gaps.
• Independent and innovative self-starter who displays an ability to learn quickly and easily adapts to changing situations.
• Ability to navigate large institutions with multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to collaborate enthusiastically with colleagues within team, division and all schools, colleges, and units to gain full understanding of projects and desired outcomes; ability to produce high quality and consistent results in collaboration with team members.
• Adhere to confidentiality and data protection.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s Degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage up to 20 active partners and up to 50 prospects through the fundraising cycle with the goal of securing and growing financial resources.
• Collaborate with funders and university faculty and staff, communicating through various methods including in-person meetings, written communication, formal proposals, and reporting.
• Provide expertise and experience in the creation and implementation of fundraising strategies and initiatives to increase corporate giving; assist with activities to strengthen the culture of philanthropy among the university community while supporting deans, faculty, and staff; cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate donors to meet established fundraising goals and foster meaningful relationships to strengthen the university's competitiveness for corporate awards.
• Complete timely, accurate and persuasive communication with internal and external stakeholders in written and verbal form, including grant submissions and reporting. All communications are designed with the goal to move prospects and donors through the fundraising cycle.
• Through one-on-one interactions, research, event attendance and other relationship-building methods, develop and maintain a broad knowledge of university research, faculty initiatives, events and leadership priorities including an anticipated comprehensive campaign.
• Identify and build significant corporate alliances across a spectrum of university departments that work closely with industry including Development and Alumni Affairs, Office of Vice President of Research, Office of Business Innovation and Career Services.
• Adhere to university policies in keeping accurate and timely records in the Fundraising Performance Management database. Record interactions, solicitations, and communications. Utilize these records to analyze, report, plan, and project fundraising outputs.
• Collaborate with OPEN Wayne team on non-revenue generating activities for portfolio clients to build relationships with prospective funders and deepen understanding of trends and opportunities to build value for the corporate community in Detroit.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

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