Executive Director of Development, Corporate Relations

FIU Foundation; Miami (FL); On-site; USD 155,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

FIU Foundation seeks a strategic leader to advance the University's corporate relations program, building partnerships that generate philanthropic support for FIU priorities. You will manage a portfolio of high‑level corporate prospects, close six- and seven-figure gifts, and coordinate with research and talent initiatives across campus.

You will lead development of proposals, sponsorships, and gift agreements, ensuring recognition and responsible stewardship in a fast‑paced, mission‑driven

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and twelve (12) years of experience with seven (7) years of experience in fundraising.
• Proven ability to identify, cultivate, solicit and close major gifts.
• Experience building integrated corporate engagement strategies that connect philanthropy with research and workforce initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Establishes and leads a comprehensive, strategic corporate relations program.
• Manages a portfolio of up to 120 corporate prospects and partners.
• Develops proposals, gift agreements, and sponsorship packages for successful solicitations.
• Leads coordination of corporate engagement with research, talent pipelines, and student opportunities.

Skills

Fundraising

Corporate relations

Strategic planning

Donor stewardship

Education

Bachelor's degree

CFRE preferred

Tools

Donor management software

Job description

About FIU

Florida International University is a Top 50, preeminent public research university with 55,000 students from all 50 states and more than 140 countries, as well as an alumni network of more than 340,000. Located in the global city of Miami, the university offers more than 200 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels, including medicine and law. FIU faculty are leaders in their fields and include National Academy members, Fulbright Scholars and MacArthur Genius Fellows. A Carnegie R1 institution, FIU drives impactful research in environmental resilience, health and technology and innovation. Home to the Wall of Wind and Institute of Environment, FIU stands at the forefront of discovery and innovation. With a focus on student success, economic mobility and community engagement, FIU is redefining what it means to be a public research university.

Job Summary

Provides strategic leadership for the University's corporate relations program, serving as FIU's front door for business and industry and building comprehensive, mutually beneficial partnerships that generate philanthropic support for University priorities. Manages a personal portfolio of principal and major corporate prospects and partners, including corporations and company-sponsored foundations, and leads the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of six- and seven-figure corporate gifts, grants, and sponsorships. Coordinates an integrated, institution-wide approach to corporate engagement that connects corporate philanthropy with research collaboration, talent and workforce pipelines, and other partnership opportunities, in collaboration with university leaders.

• Establishes and leads a comprehensive, strategic corporate relations program in support of the University's strategic plan, fundraising priorities, and campaign. Develops the multi-year strategy and annual operating plan for the program, sets measurable goals and benchmarks for corporate revenue and activity, and reports progress to the Vice President and senior Advancement leadership.
• Establishes and manages a portfolio of up to 120 corporate prospects and partners, including corporations and company-sponsored foundations, whose business interests and FIU affinity make them likely to invest in the University. Leads the identification, cultivation, solicitation, closing, and stewardship of six- and seven-figure gifts, grants, and sponsorships, and meets established goals for partner contacts, proposals, and dollars raised.
• In partnership with the Office of Corporate Engagement, serves as the University's front door and central coordinating office for corporate relationships with philanthropic potential. Develops account-level engagement strategies for priority corporate partners that integrate philanthropy, sponsored research, student recruitment and internships, executive and workforce education, and sponsorships, so that each partner experiences a single, coordinated FIU relationship. Adheres to university-wide prospect management guidelines and protocols.
• Partners with the Office of Research and Economic Development on industry research collaborations and with Career and Talent Development on recruiting, internship, and talent pipeline partnerships. Refers non-philanthropic opportunities to the appropriate University offices while maintaining the overall relationship strategy.
• Analyzes the business objectives, workforce needs, and community investment priorities of corporate partners, and recommends methods to match them with University research, academic, and student priorities and faculty initiatives.
• Partners with deans, vice presidents, faculty, and unit development officers to advance relationships with corporate partners and prospects. Prepares briefing materials, engages University leadership with corporate executives, and supports corporate advisory boards and industry councils as assigned.
• Leads the development of proposals, letters of inquiry, partnership and sponsorship packages, and gift agreements needed for successful solicitation, collaborating with Writing & Editorial Services when appropriate.
• Structures corporate commitments and ensures they are appropriately classified and documented as charitable gifts, qualified sponsorships, or sponsored agreements, working with the Office of Research and Economic Development, the Office of General Counsel, and FIU Foundation finance. Ensures gifts, including matching gifts and gifts from company-sponsored foundations, are counted and credited in accordance with CASE Global Reporting Standards and FIU Foundation gift acceptance, counting, and naming policies.
• Identifies opportunities to grow corporate matching gifts, employee giving, and employee volunteer engagement programs in collaboration with Annual Giving and Alumni Relations.
• Oversees stewardship of corporate gifts, grants, and sponsorships, including gift agreements, recognition and sponsorship benefits, impact reporting, and the appropriate awarding and stewarding of scholarship funds established by corporations, to honor donor intent and position partners for renewal and growth.
• Coordinates with the Executive Director of Development, Foundation Relations on shared and overlapping relationships to ensure a single coordinated strategy for each organization.
• Leads the development and ongoing updates of corporate relations collateral materials, partnership marketing, and communications plans, in collaboration with Advancement communications colleagues.
• Uses prospect research, data analytics, and approved technology tools, including AI-enabled tools used in compliance with University data privacy and security policies, to identify new corporate prospects and inform strategy. Documents contacts, moves, and proposals in the donor database.
• Prepares and manages the annual program budget in alignment with, and in support of, strategic planning, programmatic activities, goal setting, and evaluation.
• Stays abreast of corporate engagement trends, benchmarks, and best practices through NACRO, CASE, AFP, and peer institutions. Recommends policies and procedural guidelines for corporate relations and corporate giving aligned with the needs and priorities of the institution. Produces and evaluates reports on corporate relations program activity.
• Provides leadership, direction, and professional development to assigned staff and to the University's network of development officers engaged in corporate fundraising. Sets performance expectations and partners with Human Resources on performance management for any direct reports, ensuring compliance with University policies and standards.
• Ensures that gifts and sponsorship payments received are transmitted promptly to FIU Foundation gift processing in accordance with gift acceptance and processing procedures. Has access to confidential information regarding gifts, donors, and partners and protects donor privacy at all times.
• Upholds the AFP Code of Ethical Standards and the CASE Statement on Ethics, including standards of transparency, disclosure of conflicts of interest, honoring donor intent, and donor privacy. Displays honesty, integrity, and professionalism in all interactions with donors, partners, and colleagues.
• Serves as a key member of the Development leadership team, participating in university-wide campaign planning, prospect management, and Advancement events. Represents FIU at chambers of commerce, industry associations, economic development organizations, and professional organizations.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and twelve (12) years of experience with seven (7) years of experience in fundraising. Supervises/ manages subordinate staff.

Desired Qualifications

Ten (10) or more years of progressively responsible experience, including at least seven (7) years in corporate relations, corporate partnerships, business development, or major gifts, preferably in higher education or at a comparable research institution.

A demonstrated career track record in identifying, cultivating, soliciting and closing five- and six-figure gifts and a history of stability with an organization. Experience building integrated corporate engagement strategies that connect philanthropy with research collaboration, talent and workforce pipelines, and other institutional partnership opportunities.

Exceptional writing and editing skills, with a record of producing competitive concept papers, letters of inquiry, and proposals that translate complex academic, research, and student success programs for funder audiences.

Working knowledge of the distinctions among charitable gifts, qualified sponsorships, and sponsored research agreements, and of the CASE Global Reporting Standards and the AFP Code of Ethical Standards. Advanced degree and/or Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential preferred.

Strong business acumen and established relationships with the South Florida, national, and international business communities.

Job Category

Administrative

Advertised Salary

$155,000-$165,000

Work Schedule

Begin time: 8:30 AM
End time: 5:00 PM

Pre-Employment Requirements

Expanded Background Check

Other Information

• Must attend meetings off campus and occasionally attend functions on weekends and evening
• Ability to travel locally and nationally.
• Ability to travel internationally.
• Ability to work flexible hours as needed.

Disclosures

Clery Notice

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, the University Police department at Florida International University provides information on crimes statistics, crime prevention, law enforcement, crime reporting, and other related issues for the past three (3) calendar years. The FIU Annual Security report is available online at: https://police.fiu.edu/download/annual-security-fire-safety-report/.

Pay Transparency

Florida International University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

FIU is a State University System of Florida member, Equal Opportunity, Equal Access, and Affiantative Action Employer for individuals with disabilities and veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment decisions, programs, and events without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, and any other legally protected basis. For inquiries regarding nondiscrimination, contact FIU's Office of Title IX and EEO Compliance (TITLEIX) at 305.348.2785 or email [e-mail].

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

Should you need an ADA accommodation to participate in a University event, program, or activity or need to request materials in an accessible format, please contact the Office of Universal Access and Digital Compliance at 305-348-1576 or [e-mail]. All requests for ADA accommodation or accessible materials for this event must be submitted to UADC at least seven (7) business days prior to the event or at the earliest possible opportunity.