Corporate Engagement Officer

Job Purpose

The Corporate Engagement Officer will utilize best practices in fund development (identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship) to pursue and secure gifts from corporations, including corporate foundations. This role leverages a broad range of assets across the campus, including university programs, initiatives, research, physical space, events, and other activities to tell the story of its impact and inspire support. This includes non-revenue generating activities (i.e., talent pipeline development, experiential learning, etc.) that deepen relationships with prospective funders. This role will manage relationships internally and externally, support the development and execution of fundraising and engagement strategies, contribute to department metrics, and produce reports to document success.

Reports to the Assistant Vice President for Corporate Engagement.

Essential Functions

(Essential functions are the primary duties/major job responsibilities that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. The essential functions are listed in order of importance.)

Manage up to 20 active partners and up to 50 prospects through the fundraising cycle with the goal of securing and growing financial resources. Collaborate with funders and university faculty and staff, communicating through various methods including in-person meetings, written communication, formal proposals, and reporting. Provide expertise and experience in the creation and implementation of fundraising strategies and initiatives to increase corporate giving; assist with activities to strengthen the culture of philanthropy among the university community while supporting deans, faculty, and staff; cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate donors to meet established fundraising goals and foster meaningful relationships to strengthen the university''s competitiveness for corporate awards.

Complete timely, accurate and persuasive communication with internal and external stakeholders in written and verbal form, including grant submissions and reporting. All communications are designed with the goal to move prospects and donors through the fundraising cycle.

Through one-on-one interactions, research, event attendance and other relationship-building methods, develop and maintain a broad knowledge of university research, faculty initiatives, events and leadership priorities including an anticipated comprehensive campaign. Identify and build significant corporate alliances across a spectrum of university departments that work closely with industry including Development and Alumni Affairs, Office of Vice President of Research, Office of Business Innovation and Career Services.

Adhere to university policies in keeping accurate and timely records in the Fundraising Performance Management database. Record interactions, solicitations, and communications. Utilize these records to analyze, report, plan, and project fundraising outputs.

Collaborate with OPEN Wayne team on non-revenue generating activities for portfolio clients to build relationships with prospective funders and deepen understanding of trends and opportunities to build value for the corporate community in Detroit.

Perform other related duties as assigned.