Director of Corporate & Foundation Engagement, College of Food, Agricultural & Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS)
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Application
Details
Posted: 10-Oct-24
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Salary: 100,000.00 - 115,000.00
Internal Number: 365074
The Director of Corporate and Foundation Engagement will drive corporate and foundation engagement strategy for the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) as well as other key schools focused on science and agriculture. They will manage a portfolio of corporate and private foundations to drive research, sponsorships, and philanthropy.
The University of Minnesota, a top 3 institution in the Big 10 for philanthropic corporate production, is a national model in corporate engagement, and is uniquely comprehensive among R1 universities. CFANS includes twelve academic departments and 10 research and outreach centers, along with the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the Bell Museum, and dozens of interdisciplinary centers. This position will report to the Senior Director of Corporate and Foundation Engagement at the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF) with a dotted line to the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences.
Starting salary: $100,000- 115,000 based on experience. This role is also eligible for a 10% annual incentive opportunity.
Responsibilities:
Manage a portfolio of corporate and foundation prospects (70%):
Build and manage a portfolio of approximately 60-75 corporate and foundation partners focused on the agriculture, food, and natural resources.
Effectively present the case for engagement, research collaboration, and philanthropic support.
Create and maintain strategies to secure investments of $50,000+ through sponsored research proposals, philanthropy, and sponsorships.
Drive Corporate and Foundation Strategy for the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences (15%):
In partnership with the Dean and the CFANS leadership team, work to engage key corporate prospects in research and collegiate priorities.
Advance the Deanâ™s vision for the college with key corporations and foundations (Research investments and partnerships, technology transfer, philanthropic support).
Engage key private sector leaders with academic leaders, faculty and students to advance partnerships.
Liaison and coordinate across development programs and services (5%):
Collaborate with prospect development department to meet research needs in support of CFE prospects.
Collaborate with donor relations to create stewardship reports and events/activities aimed at ensuring a high level of stewardship.
Work with development staff, technology commercialization partners, faculty, and leaders across campus to advance strategic partnerships.
Collaborate and/or Lead campus partnerships (5%):
Represent CFANS on the Corporate Engagement Center Leadership Council.
Lead and/or participate on university-wide strategy teams to manage corporations in the strategic portfolio.
Lead and participate on campus-wide work groups to drive campus collaboration around corporate engagement and investment.
Partner with the VP for Corporate and Foundation Engagement on Research and Innovation Office (RIO) partnerships and strategic initiatives (5%):
Lead strategy for corporate engagement in RIO workshops, events, or special initiatives.
Liaison with RIO on behalf of CEC leadership and represent CEC on various work groups or committees with RIO.
Required:
Bachelorâ™s degree and six yearsâ™ demonstrated ability to successfully solicit and close investments from corporations and foundations or private industry experience in marketing, sales, relationship management or related fields with an emphasis on cultivation and solicitation of organizations.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Knowledge of business and financial terminology.
High degree of computer proficiency, including proficient use of software applications for word processing, financial spreadsheets, and electronic databases.
Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
Experience with project management and the handling of multiple tasks with multiple deadlines.
Demonstrated success in working independently but also collaboratively in a team setting.
Solid relationship building skills with a diverse constituency.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, especially Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Preferred:
Five (5)+ years of successful experience in corporate and foundation engagement work in higher education and/or an agricultural or science related organization.
Experience working with faculty and academic leaders to engage corporations through research and/or philanthropy.
Demonstrated success in managing a portfolio of donors and strong understanding of the four core phases of development, identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
Previous campaign experience.
Ability to design/assist in the development of project budgets.
The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.