Assistant Director of Corporate Relations
University Advancement and University Relations
Summary:
The Assistant Director will work under the supervision of the Senior Director of Corporate Relations to help identify, develop and maintain high-quality relationships with individuals, corporations, public entities, and other relevant nonprofit organizations. The objective is to build relationships in order to attract and sustain resources to support the University's strategic direction and community impact initiatives. This includes, but is not limited to, identifying and building productive corporate relationships to foster sponsorships, grants, and underwriting for special events and key programs.
A significant portion of the Assistant Director's responsibilities will involve managing fundraising efforts for specific university initiatives, such as the Rising Stars Internship Program. This includes maintaining existing corporate partners, building new corporate partnerships, managing a donor portfolio, and developing strategies to enhance philanthropic support across campus. The Assistant Director will work closely with University Advancement to identify opportunities for corporate giving and maintain strong relationships with existing sponsors.
The Assistant Director will play a key role in overseeing the business operations between the Corporate Relations team and the Rising Stars Internship Program. This includes managing the day-to-day processes such as corporate communications, donor relations, solicitation, invoicing, and agreement renewals. The Assistant Director will collaborate closely with the Rising Stars team to ensure that critical feedback and information from corporate sponsors are effectively communicated and implemented, streamlining the partnership between sponsors and the program.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement a philanthropic strategy to secure financial support for the Rising Stars Internship Program through corporate sponsorships, grants, and individual donor partnerships.
- Manage a portfolio of donors, corporate sponsors, and key stakeholders, ensuring regular communication, engagement, and stewardship efforts.
- Identify and solicit new corporate sponsors, ensuring alignment with university goals and initiatives.
- Work with University Advancement and the Corporate Relations team to identify potential areas for growth in corporate partnerships and philanthropic support.
- Oversee all aspects of donor management, including agreement execution, invoicing, and renewals, ensuring a seamless donor experience.
- Work closely with the Rising Stars team to ensure student onboarding process is completed effectively.
- Support the Rising Stars team in matching students to appropriate internships based on the feedback collected from the corporate sponsors.
- Serve as day-to-day contact for corporate sponsors participating in the Rising Stars Internship Program.
- Prepare arrangements and materials for presentations, both on and off This includes Rising Stars Advisory Board and other executive reports.
- Assist with meeting preparations: coordinate media, IT needs, room reservations, catering, etc.
- Schedule, prepare and distribute materials as directed for Rising Stars Advisory Board meetings. This includes attending and taking minutes.
- Schedule and organize activities such as internal/external meetings, department activities, etc.
- Work closely with the Senior Director of Corporate Relations and Rising Stars team to collaborate on external events and programs that serve to increase the university's brand awareness.
- Help cultivate and develop new relationships with corporations, businesses, individuals and non-profit organizations to raise and leverage both financial and non-financial resources required to meet the university's goals.
- Participate in community and civic activities or organizations to increase networking and public awareness of the University of St. Thomas.
Education and Work Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in the area of public relations, nonprofit management, marketing, communications or business required.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in the field of corporate relations, public relations, or marketing.
- In depth experience and knowledge of project management
- Must be a self-starter, strategic thinker and
- Energetic, enthusiastic professional, who is innovative and able to function in a highly collaborative work environment.
- Must demonstrate a proactive, flexible approach with a professional
- Requires advanced knowledge and ability to develop
- Excellent public speaking and presentation skills are
- Must have the ability to read, analyze and interpret business periodicals, news articles and professional publications.
- Experience networking and cultivating professional
- Ability to write reports and business
- Ability to present information to and respond to questions from groups of diverse organizational employees, Directors, and senior level decision makers.
- Requires advanced knowledge of MS office software and data base
- Must believe in and exemplify the university's mission, vision and
- Some travel may be required, as
- Must have the flexibility to work evenings and weekends, as
The University of St. Thomas is an Equal Opportunity Employer