Executive Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations - UC Irvine

Another Source•Irvine, CA

2d•$185,000 - $195,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Another Source is partnering with the University of California, Irvine (UCI) to find their next Executive Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations. This role offers the opportunity to lead and elevate a Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) program at a top R1 institution known for its interdisciplinary research. The ideal candidate will develop a proactive strategy to connect UCI's research, faculty, and priorities with significant funding opportunities. The position is based in Irvine, CA, with a hybrid work model requiring at least 3 days onsite per week. The salary range is $185,000–$195,000 annually. The Executive Director will lead and develop an established CFR team, build a strategic approach to moves management and foundation engagement, partner across disciplines to translate complex research into compelling funding proposals, personally drive seven-figure gifts, and help grow a team goal exceeding $20 million. This role is instrumental in shaping the future of corporate and foundation philanthropy at UCI.

Requirements

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 R1 university, OR, any equivalent combinations of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skill and abilities have been achieved.
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 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.

Nice To Haves

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.
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.
Advanced degree preferred.
CFRE certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead and develop an established CFR team.
Build a strategic approach to moves management and foundation engagement.
Partner across disciplines to translate complex research into compelling funding opportunities.
Personally drive seven-figure gifts while helping grow a $20M+ team goal.
Help shape the next chapter of corporate and foundation philanthropy at UCI.
Provide leadership and direction for a comprehensive foundation and corporate relations strategy for UC Irvine.
Develop proactive strategies to increase philanthropic and corporate support for research, university priorities, and interdisciplinary initiatives.
Enhance and strengthen existing University relationships with corporations, corporate foundations, associations, and private foundations.
Increase funding to the university from these organizations.
Develop strategies for identifying and building relationships with new philanthropists and their organizations.
Help develop strategies for major gifts and grants with both existing funders and aspirational foundations.
Monitor stewardship plans for strategic corporate and foundation donors.
Consult with 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.
Manage own portfolio of foundations with existing relationships with UCI and foundations where relationships are still aspirational.
Assist faculty, development officers and CFR team members to submit proposals to private and corporate foundations, consulting with applicants on the clarity and strength of presentation of letters of inquiry, proposals and letters of reference, and for compliance with funders’ guidelines and priorities.
Develop, create, write, and implement a comprehensive foundation gifts and grants program to support the University's mission and campaigns.
Maintain relationships with foundation staff, develop strategies, track philanthropic trends, identify new potential funders and seek connections through trustees and faculty to establish relationships.
Identify and actively develop new strategies for large grants from major foundations, including researching and developing relationships with foundations not currently funding UCI.
Write complex proposals for solicitation of high-value corporate and/or foundation prospects.
Strategize and participate in visits to and from corporate and private foundations with appropriate UA staff, faculty and administrators.
Oversee preparation of materials for Deans, Provost and Chancellor for visits, sharing responsibility with team for all travel and site/office visit preparations.
Analyze needs and create strategic and long-range plans for fundraising from foundations and corporations.
Monitor national and international corporate foundation giving trends and industry research needs, disseminating information to appropriate faculty and staff and assisting campus administrators and faculty by providing information and advice on the corporate philanthropy process.
Ensure that individual and team fundraising goals are met and design and implement highly specialized program activities to achieve these goals.
Develop strategies to direct and manage a comprehensive corporate relations program to support the University's mission and campaigns.
Identify, assess and prioritize funding opportunities in collaboration with Deans, department chairs, center directors and development officers of Schools/Units.
Refine stewardship strategies for major corporate foundations, associations and private foundations.
Manage various procedures with different departments and units across campus, including Office of Research, Sponsored Projects, Gifts Administration and Stewardship.
Oversee coordination of “limited submission” requests for proposals and special projects when requested.
Convene internal peers for discussion of best practices on policies, procedures, and industry trends for corporate and foundation philanthropy and participate in external peer groups to maintain state-of-the-art knowledge on CFR.
Attend functions and meetings and serve on internal/external committees as a representative of UC Irvine.
Collaborate with various UA offices and functions—including stewardship, research and prospect management, financial services, annual giving, and development—to advance prospect strategies and use the UA prospect management and tracking system.
Participate as a member of the UA Strategic Philanthropy Team in development activities across campus and serve as a resource to unit-based development colleagues.