Director of Corporate Relations, External Relations

University of Virginia

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

External Relations at the University of Virginia (UVA) is seeking a highly qualified candidate to fill the role of Director of Corporate Relations. The University of Virginia has a strong and reputable advancement community, boasting effective, results-oriented, and resourceful professionals. Our community comprises a robust central advancement organization, 12 University schools, and more than 25 University-related programs. We offer a wide variety of career opportunities, as well as an outstanding environment for professional growth and development. The Director of Corporate Relations has a key leadership role within the growing Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) team. This position is responsible for advancing and scaling UVA’s corporate engagement strategy by building high-impact partnerships that align industry priorities with the University’s research, academic, and institutional strengths. As part of the central External Relations office, CFR serves as a strategic connector across Grounds, linking corporate partners with opportunities in philanthropy, sponsored research, talent development, and innovation. The Director will work collaboratively with faculty, school leadership, advancement colleagues, and external partners to identify and develop partnership opportunities, navigate complex engagement pathways, and cultivate long-term, mission-aligned relationships that generate meaningful institutional impact.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree is required
At least three years of related experience.

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree is preferred
Eight or more years of progressive experience in corporate relations, business development, advancement, or related field.
Demonstrated success managing external partnerships and cultivating complex, multi-stakeholder relationships.
Experience working with faculty, senior administrators, and external executives.
Familiarity with higher education advancement, corporate philanthropy, and/or industry-sponsored research.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to translate technical and academic content for diverse audiences.
Collaborative and entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to navigate a large, decentralized institution.

Responsibilities

Serve as a strategic liaison between UVA and corporate partners across priority sectors, aligning industry interests with institutional priorities.
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate prospects in support of school/unit and enterprise-level priorities.
Develop and execute thematic-based engagement strategies that drive philanthropy, sponsored research, talent pipelines, and innovation partnerships.
Build, manage, and grow a portfolio of corporate relationships with defined goals, pipeline tracking, and performance metrics.
Translate faculty research, institutional assets, and student talent into compelling partnership opportunities for corporate investment.
Collaborate with alumni, faculty, and advancement colleagues to expand network-based relationship opportunities and deepen corporate connectivity.
Partner with schools, centers, and administrative units to deliver a coordinated, “front door” approach to corporate engagement.
Support development of proposals, communications, and stewardship strategies tailored to corporate audiences.
Represent the University in corporate engagement meetings, industry forums, and related events.
Other duties as assigned.