Senior Director of Development, Corporate Relations

About the role

The Senior Director of Development, Corporate Relations will oversee a comprehensive development program for the University of South Carolina, focusing on corporate gifts of $100K and above. This role involves coordinating with college/unit colleagues on corporate gifts, grants, sponsorships, and strategic partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Manage directors of development and engage externally through creative discovery and outreach efforts for corporate and foundation gifts.
• Support corporate and foundation strategies for the CFR team's collaboration with colleges and units.
• Work internally with colleges and units to execute a successful CFR program and cultivate corporate and foundation prospective donors.
• Proactively provide follow-up and stewardship on completed gifts.

Requirements

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job-related field and 5 or more years of job-related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of certification, training, education, and/or experience.
• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years proven experience in major gift/development in higher education and/or hybrid development model.
• Previous campaign experience.
• Corporate and foundations/major gifts solicitation experience and graduate degree are preferred.

Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and methodologies involved in planning, implementing, and managing a robust corporate and foundation relations (CFR) program.
• Strong understanding of fundraising strategies, donor engagement cycles, gift cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, particularly within higher education.
• Familiarity with development operations, including prospect research, pipeline management, and performance metrics.
• Thorough knowledge of database systems used in advancement operations, including CRM platforms such as Blackbaud CRM.
• Knowledge of organizational management and staff development principles, including training, mentorship, and performance evaluation.
• Demonstrated skill in identifying, qualifying, and cultivating corporate and foundation prospects with a consistent record of securing philanthropic support.
• Advanced writing and communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling proposals, reports, and donor correspondence.
• Strong oral and interpersonal communication skills for engaging effectively with faculty, academic leadership, donors, volunteers, and external partners.
• Skil in managing, developing, and motivating staff, particularly Directors of Development and administrative support personnel, to achieve strategic fundraising goals.
• Proficient in the use of computer systems and software applications relevant to fundraising operations, including CRM databases, word processing, and analytics tools.

Skills

• Identifying, visiting, qualifying, and cultivating corporate and foundation prospects with a consistent record of securing philanthropic support.
• Advanced writing and communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling proposals, reports, and donor correspondence.
• Strong oral and interpersonal communication skills for engaging effectively with faculty, academic leadership, donors, volunteers, and external partners.
• Skilled in managing, developing, and motivating staff, particularly Directors of Development and administrative support personnel, to achieve strategic fundraising goals.
• Proficient in the use of computer systems and software applications relevant to fundraising operations, including CRM databases, word processing, and analytics tools.

Benefits

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retail Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition
• Dependent Scholarships
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities

Pay

Anticipated Hiring Range: $95,423 - commensurate with qualifications

Schedule

Standard working schedule: 8:30am – 5:00pm. Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.