U

University of California - Irvine

Research university in Irvine, CA

Executive Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/23/2026Deadline 9/22/27
$185k - $195k/yr
Expert
Bachelor's, Master's
Irvine, CA, USA
HybridHybrid campus presence required at least two days per week, more as needed; local, regional, and national travel.
Sales & Account ManagementAccount Management

About the job

Requirements
  • Expert working knowledge of fundraising, donor relations, and public relations concepts, principles, procedures, and techniques.
  • Expert knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, and policies.
  • Expert written and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen, to establish and maintain working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies.
  • Expert skills in making persuasive and compelling presentations of goals and objectives to secure gifts.
  • Expert organizational, analytical, and critical-thinking skills.
  • Expert project and program management skills, including setting and meeting goals and objectives within budget and time constraints.
  • Expert skills in maintaining confidentiality.
  • Extensive experience completing complex and detailed proposals and related materials.
  • Extensive experience working independently while considering school and institutional goals.
  • Ability to handle multiple projects and maintain focus while managing complex projects and deadlines.
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Salesforce or a comparable donor/prospect database system.
  • Extensive demonstrable experience with stewardship plans that lead to additional investments.
  • Ability to meet demanding work-schedule expectations.
  • Bachelor's degree in a related area, or equivalent experience or training.
  • Seven to ten years of successful professional development and/or fundraising-related experience, preferably in higher education at an R01 university, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Responsibilities
  • Provide leadership and direction for a comprehensive foundation and corporate relations strategy for UC Irvine.
  • Work with academic, administrative, and development leaders to develop proactive strategies to increase philanthropic and corporate support for research, university priorities, and interdisciplinary initiatives.
  • Lead and manage the Corporate and Foundation Relations team to strengthen existing university relationships with corporations, corporate foundations, associations, and private foundations, and increase funding from these organizations.
  • Develop strategies to identify and build relationships with new philanthropists and their organizations.
  • Help develop strategies for major gifts and grants with existing funders and aspirational foundations.
  • Monitor stewardship plans for strategic corporate and foundation donors.
  • In collaboration with the Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Philanthropy, advise the Office of Research on contemplated Organized Research Units and emerging research initiatives, including corporate and foundation funding opportunities, sponsor alignment, funding competitiveness, and strategies to enhance external support.
  • Secure seven-figure gifts from foundations, associations, and/or corporate foundations and conduct proactive outreach to organizations to develop new relationships and funding.
  • Raise an initial annual goal of $4 million or more in funds worked on directly and assist with the team's goal of $20 million or more, with goals increasing year over year.
Desired Qualifications
  • Ability to read academic and scientific text and convey the information effectively to different audiences.
  • Comfort speaking effectively in front of large audiences.
  • Expert knowledge of the campus, including current issues of concern and its vision, mission, goals, objectives, achievements, and infrastructure, and knowledge of issues throughout higher education and healthcare.
  • Advanced degree.
  • CFRE certification.

About the company

U

University of California - Irvine

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University of California - Irvine is a public research university in Irvine, California. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional education across its schools and academic programs.

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