Executive Director, Strategic Corporate Partnerships

Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 128,000 - 162,000; Full time

Job summary

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is seeking an Executive Director of Corporate Partnerships to lead the university's corporate philanthropy strategy within University Advancement. You will manage a high-value portfolio, design structured engagement programs, and drive transformational gifts in collaboration with senior leadership.

The role requires 10+ years in corporate engagement or advancement, a proven ability to close major corporate gifts, and outstanding executive-level relationship skills

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years in corporate engagement or advancement.
• Strong network with senior corporate contacts and ability to close major gifts.
• Experience building structured corporate engagement programs.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of high-priority corporate prospects and partners with a disciplined pipeline.
• Lead cultivation and solicitation of anchor corporate partners at major gift levels.
• Design and launch structured corporate partnership programs with scalable engagement models.
• Coordinate across university leadership to align corporate partnerships with academic priorities.
• Oversee corporate partnerships team and Salesforce discipline across the portfolio.

Skills

Corporate engagement

Fundraising

Relationship management

Strategic planning

Executive communication

CRM (Salesforce)

Higher education fundraising

Portfolio management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Salesforce

Prospect research tools

Job description

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is seeking an Executive Director of Corporate Partnerships to lead the university's corporate philanthropy strategy within University Advancement. You will manage a high-value portfolio, design structured engagement programs, and drive transformational gifts in collaboration with senior leadership.

The role requires 10+ years in corporate engagement or advancement, a proven ability to close major corporate gifts, and outstanding executive-level relationship skills