Director, Strategy & Operations, Corporate & Foundation Engagement

The Ohio State University • Columbus, OH

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Strategy & Operations, Corporate & Foundation Engagement provides strategy and operational support to secure financial resources that fuel the growth of industry- and foundation-sponsored research and philanthropy at Ohio State. Mentors relationship managers to develop and execute strategy that builds holistic partnerships with top private supporters to maximize areas of engagement. Collaborates with the Associate Vice President, Corporate and Foundation Engagement and CFE leaders to define particular areas of priority and responsibility. In collaboration with Relationship Managers, manages the day-to-day execution of strategies for top industry and foundation partners. Supports collaboration with private entities by identifying faculty/colleges/units whose needs align with external partners’ priorities and research needs. Partners with Associate Vice President, Corporate & Foundation Engagement in development of goals, strategic plan, and annual business planning efforts. Builds and maintains strong internal and external networks to drive innovation processes and interdisciplinary collaboration, ensure mutual value and cultivate long-term relationships. Represents and acts on behalf of Associate Vice President as needed.
The role leads a team of Corporate and Foundation Engagement professionals, establishing goals, providing coaching and performance feedback, supporting professional development, and ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
Annual performance is measured by metrics defined by the Associate Vice President, Corporate & Foundation Engagement, which include dollars generated for diverse revenue streams (e.g., research, philanthropy) in alignment with the team’s goals. Goal setting is done with the individual’s manager prior to each fiscal year to assure transparency, consistency and alignment.
Success in this role requires exceptional relationship-building, collaboration, and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior leaders, faculty, researchers, administrators, and external partners. The position also requires strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills to manage multiple priorities, navigate complex initiatives, and drive strategic outcomes.
All members of CFE are part of creating a culture that inspires an exceptionally multifaceted and talented team and are expected to exhibit The Ohio State University’s Shared Values. CFE is committed to acting with kindness, respect, and integrity at all times and welcoming our colleagues’ ideas, voices, and perspectives, acknowledging that we are better together.

Requirements

• Ten years of experience in higher education, research administration, advancement, or a related field.
• Ten years of success securing and/or supporting the generation of high-value funding from federal agencies, foundations, corporations, or other external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute fundraising, business development, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Proven record of establishing strategic goals, monitoring performance metrics, and achieving measurable results.
• Experience leading teams, managing performance, coaching staff, and supporting professional development.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working within a large, complex higher education or academic medical center environment.
• Knowledge of university research, sponsored programs, foundation relations, advancement, or corporate engagement functions.
• Experience partnering with senior leaders, faculty, and administrators to advance institutional priorities and complex initiatives.
• Experience using data, benchmarking, and market intelligence to inform strategy and identify growth opportunities.
• Knowledge of The Ohio State University's corporate engagement, foundation relations, research, and advancement functions and the ability to leverage those relationships to advance institutional priorities.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a strategic advisor to the Associate Vice President for Corporate & Foundation Engagement (CFE), helping to advance organizational priorities, strategic initiatives, and annual business objectives.
• Leads and develops a team of corporate and foundation engagement professionals, establishing goals, providing coaching and performance feedback, supporting professional development, and ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
• Facilitates collaboration among corporate engagement, foundation engagement, operations, and university stakeholders to strengthen integration, information sharing, and support coordinated efforts.
• Oversees key operational functions for the CFE team, helping ensure that people, processes, systems, and resources are aligned to support team priorities and organizational effectiveness. Partners with the Associate Vice President to assess team needs, support goal development and progress monitoring, facilitate cross-team collaboration and knowledge sharing, and advance professional development initiatives across the CFE team.
• Provides recommendations to support strategic decision-making and resource allocation.
• Supports effective collaboration between the Corporate & Foundation Engagement team with deans and other university leaders to understand needs and creates opportunities to support college/unit efforts.
• Responsible for using independent, consistent and fair judgement in exercising authority.
• Develops procedures, assigns and prioritizes work, and ensures that the resources needed to accomplish work are provided.
• Prepares reports and reviews private grants data to track total revenue from industry and foundations, benchmarking against peers nationally;
• Tracks industry/foundation investment trends in higher education, Research & Development, etc.
• Reviews and analyzes existing systems and processes and makes recommendations for improvement; and manages information of a highly sensitive nature.
• Partners with relationship managers to develop and implement multi-year strategies that strengthen engagement with leading companies and foundations and create opportunities to support Ohio State's research, philanthropy, innovation, and strategic priorities. Manages the fiscal-year execution of these strategies for top corporate and foundation partners.
• Partners with relationship managers, university leadership, faculty, and other stakeholders to advance complex partnerships involving research, philanthropy, and other strategic priorities.
• Serves as a senior resource and thought partner on institution-wide opportunities that require collaboration across colleges, units, and senior leadership.
• Works across teams and stakeholder groups to align priorities, address obstacles, and move high-profile opportunities forward.
• Identifies opportunities to enhance collaboration, streamline communication, and improve the sharing of information and best practices across teams.
• Builds and maintains strong internal and external networks to drive interdisciplinary collaboration, ensure mutual value and cultivate long-term relationships.
• Aligns direct reports’ activity with priorities of CFE and the university.
• Partners with Associate Vice President, Corporate & Foundation Engagement in development of long and short-term goals, strategic plan, and annual business planning efforts, and special projects.
• Provides executive-level project management for key initiatives, ensuring accountability, follow-through, and alignment across stakeholders.
• Collaborates with Operations colleagues to benchmark corporate and foundation activity within their area of responsibility against other leading institutions.
• Represents and acts on behalf of Associate Vice President, Corporate & Foundation Engagement as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Unparalleled benefits of working for The Ohio State University
• Working in the vibrant, smart, enjoyable, and growing city of Columbus, Ohio
• Exceptional rewards that arise from working for an institution doing worldwide life-changing teaching and research.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed