Executive Director of Development, Corporate Engagement

Classification Title:

EXEC DIR, DEVELOPMENT

Classification Minimum Requirements:

Master’s degree and eight years of appropriate experience; or a bachelor’s degree and ten years of experience.

Job Description:

The Executive Director of Development, Corporate Engagement, serves as a senior leader within the Office of Research, charged with advancing the University’s mission through strategic corporate partnerships and philanthropic initiatives. Reporting jointly to the Vice President for Research (VPR) and the Interim Senior Assistant Vice President (SRAVP) of Principal Gifts & Strategic Initiatives, working in close partnership with both to align fundraising efforts with institutional research priorities and broader university goals.

The incumbent will provide both strategic direction and operational oversight for a robust corporate engagement and fundraising program, cultivating relationships with industry leaders and corporate partners. This includes identifying opportunities for mutually beneficial collaboration, securing philanthropic investments, and fostering long-term partnerships that advance the mission and research enterprise of the Office of the VPR. The Executive Director will play a key role in integrating corporate engagement into the university's overall advancement strategy and ensuring alignment with institutional priorities.

Corporate Engagement Strategy

• Develop and lead the execution of a comprehensive, results-driven fundraising and engagement strategy to increase philanthropic and research-related support from corporations and industry partners.
• Identify, cultivate, and steward relationships with key corporate prospects and donors, building long-term partnerships that align with university priorities and corporate interests.
• Identify appropriate corporate contacts, initiate and attend visits with business executives to explore opportunities for industry, corporate, and research relationships.
• Organize and host on-campus visits for corporate representatives, facilitating meaningful interactions with faculty, researchers, and university leadership, including tours of research facilities and innovation hubs.
• Work closely with Office of the Vice President for Research, Corporate & Foundation Relations team, the Interim Senior Assistant Vice President, unit-based corporate colleagues, and major gift teams to identify and support multi-faculty, cross-disciplinary initiatives with potential for large-scale funding opportunities.
• Provide the development and academic communities with information concerning foundation and corporate grants available to the University. Propose methods and procedures for obtaining these grants and executing appropriate strategies for foundation and corporate support in coordination with the academic and development communities.
• Present the University’s foundation and corporate strategies, as well as funding proposals, to appropriate representatives of these sectors.
• Create strategic connections between the University of Florida and industry partners that foster innovation, enhance applied research, and generate value for both the university and our partners.
• Work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams across campus, connecting corporate partners with world class expertise and resources.
• Support faculty members on research grants requiring multi-disciplinary industry partners connecting key contacts and assisting managing relationships.
• Establish UF as a leader in world class innovation by cultivating relationships to facilitate research collaborations.
• Coordinate efforts across university departments to ensure a cohesive and seamless experience for corporate partners, managing strategies that align partnerships with UF’s mission promoting open communications for lasting relationships.
• Assess faculty research activities and areas of expertise to identify alignment with industry needs and proactively connect faculty with relevant corporate stakeholders for collaborative opportunities.

Relationship Management

• Support the creation and maintenance of “industry front door” resources to streamline initial contacts to the Office of Research for general industry inquiries.  This includes working with appropriate UF offices to maintain and create an “industry front-door” web portal and collateral materials as well as working collaboratively with sponsored research to expedite connections as appropriate to UF researchers.
• Establish and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with corporate and industry executives, functioning as a key liaison and relationship manager on behalf of the university.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with key UF leadership and colleagues to enhance corporate relations and engagem