Executive Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations

University of California, Irvine•Irvine, CA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. In 1965, the University of California, Irvine was founded with a mission to catalyze the community and enhance lives through rigorous academics, cutting-edge research, and dedicated public service. A top public university, UC Irvine is internationally recognized for improving lives through research and discovery, fostering excellence in scholarship and teaching, and engaging and enriching the community. Today, UCI continues to inspire change and pioneer new ideas with the support of its generous partners, alumni and friends. Through the combined efforts of the University Advancement & Alumni relations team, the University can share its amazing achievements, build lasting relationships, and generate support for important campus programs and initiatives. University Advancement seeks to strengthen contributions to research, education, and service; accelerate the university's place among globally preeminent research universities; and bring together passions, skills, and creativity to further improve people's lives. Located in Central Development, the Corporate and Foundation Relations team works with administrators, faculty, program directors and development officers to build effective partner relationships, working to understand the needs and priorities of corporations, corporate foundations, associations, and private foundations and to facilitate partnerships to advance UC Irvine's mission. Under the general direction of the Associate Vice Chancellor, Strategic Philanthropy, and located in University Advancement’s Central unit, the Executive Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations (ED) provides leadership and direction for a comprehensive foundation and corporate relations strategy for UC Irvine. Working closely with academic, administrative and development leaders, the ED will develop proactive strategies to increase philanthropic and corporate support for research, university priorities and interdisciplinary initiatives. Leads and manages the Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) team whose goal is to enhance and strengthen existing University relationships with corporations, corporate foundations, associations like the American Cancer Society, and private foundations, as well as increase funding to the university from these organizations. Develops strategies for identifying and building relationships with new philanthropists and their organizations, helps develop strategies for major gifts and grants with both existing funders and aspirational foundations, and monitors stewardship plans for strategic corporate and foundation donors. In collaboration with the Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Philanthropy, may be consulted by the Office of Research about contemplated Organized Research Units (ORUs) and other emerging research initiatives to provide insight on corporate and foundation funding opportunities, sponsor alignment, funding competitiveness, and strategies to enhance external support. Demonstrated ability to secure seven-figure gifts from foundations, associations and/or corporate foundations and record of proactive outreach to organizations resulting in new relationships and/or funding. Expected to raise an initial annual goal of $4+ million in funds worked on directly and assist in team goal of $20M+, with these goals to increase year over year.

Requirements

Expert working knowledge of all aspects of fundraising, donor relations, and public relations concepts, principles, procedures, and techniques.
Expert knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, etc.
Expert written and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen, to establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies.
Expert skills in making persuasive and compelling presentations of goals and objectives for a location in order to secure gifts.
Expert organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills.
Expert project / program management skills, including skills in setting and meeting program / project goals and objectives within budget and time constraints.
Expert level skills in maintaining confidentiality.
Extensive experience in the completion of complex and detailed proposals and related materials.
Extensive experience in working independently with both school and institutional goals in mind.
Highly organized and able to handle multiple projects.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Salesforce or a comparable donor/prospect database system.
Extensive demonstrable experience in stewardship plans leading to additional investments.
Clarity of focus while juggling complex projects and/or deadlines.
Ability to meet demanding work schedule expectations.
Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
Seven to ten years' successful professional development and/or fundraising-related experience, preferably in higher education at a R01 university, OR, any equivalent combinations of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skill and abilities have been achieved.
Demonstrated ability to secure seven-figure gifts from foundations, associations and/or corporate foundations.
Record of proactive outreach to organizations resulting in new relationships and/or funding.
Expected to raise an initial annual goal of $4+ million in funds worked on directly and assist in team goal of $20M+.
Must be able to provide proof of work authorization.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated ability to read academic and scientific text and convey this information effectively to different audiences.
Comfort in speaking effectively in front of large audiences.
Expert knowledge of all aspects of the location, including current issues of concern for both the campus and / or throughout higher education / healthcare, generally.
Expert knowledge of the location, including its vision, mission, goals, objectives, achievements and infrastructure.
Advanced degree preferred.
CFRE certification.

Responsibilities

Provides leadership and direction for a comprehensive foundation and corporate relations strategy for UC Irvine.
Develops proactive strategies to increase philanthropic and corporate support for research, university priorities and interdisciplinary initiatives.
Leads and manages the Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) team.
Enhances and strengthens existing University relationships with corporations, corporate foundations, associations, and private foundations.
Increases funding to the university from these organizations.
Develops strategies for identifying and building relationships with new philanthropists and their organizations.
Helps develop strategies for major gifts and grants with both existing funders and aspirational foundations.
Monitors stewardship plans for strategic corporate and foundation donors.
May be consulted by the Office of Research about contemplated Organized Research Units (ORUs) and other emerging research initiatives to provide insight on corporate and foundation funding opportunities, sponsor alignment, funding competitiveness, and strategies to enhance external support.