Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations

Job Details

Director, Corporate & Foundation Relations

Job no: 557933
Work type: Management (MPP)
Location: Chancellor's Office
Categories: MPP, Administrative, At-Will, Temporary, Full Time

Chancellor's Office Statement

Join our team at the California State University, Office of the Chancellor, and make a difference in providing access to higher education. We are currently seeking experienced candidates for the position of Director, Corporate & Foundation Relations. The CSU Chancellor's Office, located on the waterfront adjacent to the Aquarium of the Pacific in downtown Long Beach, is the headquarters for the nation's largest and most diverse system of higher education. The CSU Chancellor's Office offers a premium benefit package that includes outstanding vacation, health, and dental plans; a fee waiver education program; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS); and 15 paid holidays a year.

Salary

The anticipated salary hiring range is up to $150,000 per year, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

THIS IS A FULL-TIME TEMPORARY POSITION WITH BENEFITS.

Work Arrangements

Flexibility to telecommute two days a week, with three days on-site at the main headquarters in Long Beach, California.

Premium Benefits

Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits

Generous vacation plan

15 paid holidays a year

Tuition waiver education program (also applies to eligible family members)

Membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)

More details here: Comprehensive Benefits Package

Classification

Administrator III

Position Information

The California State University, Office of the Chancellor, is seeking a Director, Corporate & Foundation Relations to provide strategic leadership and frontline fundraising for corporate and foundation partnerships that advance systemwide and multi-campus priorities of the California State University.

The Director serves as the primary systemwide point of coordination for corporate and foundation engagement, working in close partnership with Chancellor's Office administrative departments to translate systemwide priorities into competitive, fundable opportunities that benefit the CSU as a whole or multiple campuses.

Responsibilities

Under the general direction of the Assistant Vice Chancellor, Systemwide Philanthropy, the Director, Corporate & Foundation Relations will perform duties as outlined below:

Systemwide Corporate & Foundation Fundraising Strategy and Portfolio Management:

• Serve as a frontline fundraiser for CSU systemwide and multi-campus initiatives by managing a portfolio of high-capacity corporate and foundation prospects aligned with Chancellor's Office priorities.
• Develop and implement systemwide strategies for prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, in coordination with campus advancement leaders when funders have existing or parallel campus relationships.
• Qualify, prioritize, and manage corporate and foundation prospects—including invitation-only and foundation-like entities—whose interests align with high-impact, multi-campus or CSU-wide initiatives.
• Lead systemwide solicitation strategies that coordinate campus participation, manage overlap, and maximize collective philanthropic outcomes, while respecting campus-based relationships and roles.

Systemwide & Multi-Campus Collaboration and Engagement:

• Serve as a systemwide partner to campus advancement and corporate/foundation relations staff by aligning Chancellor's Office fundraising strategies with campus priorities, strengths, and existing funder relationships.
• Facilitate coordination across campuses to support multi-campus and interdisciplinary initiatives, including shared prospect strategies, joint proposals, and common cases for support.
• Provide consultation, guidance, and capacity-building support to campuses—particularly under-resourced campuses—participating in systemwide funding opportunities.
• Navigate and resolve funder-related overlap or complexity across campuses, ensuring transparent communication, shared credit, and appropriate recognition.
• Serve as a systemwide resource on corporate and foundation philanthropy trends, best practices, and emerging funding models relevant to public higher education systems.

Proposal Development and Grant Strategy Leadership:

• Lead the strategic framing, positioning, and development of corporate and foundation funding strategies in collaboration with Chancellor's Office administrative departments, which serve as subject-matter experts for systemwide initiatives.
• Partner with administrative departments (e.g., Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Student Success and Strategic Enrollment Management) to identify funding opportunities and translate programmatic priorities into competitive grant concepts and proposals.
• Serve as primary author, co-author, or senior editor, as appropriate, for systemwide and multi-campus proposals, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with funder interests and CSU priorities.
• Test funding concepts and proposal approaches with corporate and foundation partners prior to submission, as appropriate, to strengthen alignment and competitiveness.
• Coordinate institutional review, approval, and external funding clearance processes for corporate and foundation proposals in collaboration with Sponsored Programs, Budget and Finance, and Academic Affairs.

Stewardship, Reporting, and Grant Management Oversight:

• Coordinate stewardship and reporting processes for systemwide and multi-campus corporate and foundation awards, in partnership with administrative departments, campuses, and finance teams.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting, compliance with funder requirements, and adherence to CSU and CSU Foundation policies.
• Maintain complete and accurate records of corporate and foundation activity in applicable CRM and reporting systems.
• Support the development of system-level impact narratives that aggregate outcomes across campuses for corporate and foundation partners.

Program Leadership and Collaboration:

• Contribute to the strategic leadership of the Office of Systemwide Philanthropy through fundraising planning, forecasting, and performance analysis related to corporate and foundation support.
• Monitor trends in corporate and foundation philanthropy to inform strategy and identify new opportunities relevant to CSU's mission and scale.
• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Assistant Vice Chancellor and senior system leadership on the philanthropic positioning of systemwide priorities.
• Support special initiatives, pilot programs, and new funding models that enhance systemwide philanthropic effectiveness.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

This position requires:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Seven (7) or more years of progressively responsible experience in corporate and foundation relations, institutional fundraising, or related development work within a complex organization.
• Demonstrated success securing significant corporate and/or foundation gifts or grants (typically $100,000+), including experience with multi-entity or institutionally complex proposals.
• Experience partnering with non-advancement subject-matter experts (e.g., academic, programmatic, or administrative leaders) to translate priorities into competitive funding strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate shared credit, recognition, and resource allocation across multiple institutions or organizational units.
• Strong organizational and political acuity, with the ability to build consensus and advance strategy in matrixed, decentralized environments.
• Proven ability to develop, write, and/or lead the preparation of competitive funding proposals for corporate and foundation partners.
• Expert written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to frame complex initiatives for institutional funders.
• Strong interpersonal and presentation skills with the ability to engage senior leaders, faculty, administrators, and external partners.
• Strategic thinking and analytical skills to align institutional priorities with funder interests.
• High degree of judgment, discretion, and professionalism in handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• The incumbent must possess a valid driver's license and be available to travel to meetings, training programs and special events which may take place in the evenings or on weekends in and out of state.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Experience working within a systemwide, consortial, or similarly complex public higher education organization.
• Demonstrated success operating in environments requiring influence without direct authority.
• Experience leading or contributing to large-scale, interdisciplinary, or multi-campus funding initiatives.
• Knowledge of higher education funding landscapes and trends in corporate and foundation philanthropy.
• Experience with CRM systems and proposal tracking tools.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity-centered, mission-driven fundraising.
• Familiarity with CASE standards and best practices in corporate and foundation relations.
• Ability to exercise a high degree of independence, judgment, and discretion.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize competing projects and deadlines across multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, campus partners, vendors, and external funders.
• Capacity to work effectively in a complex, fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with standard office productivity tools (e.g., MS Office, Outlook, Zoom, PowerPoint).
• Ability to travel statewide and nationally and work evenings or weekends as needed.
• Ability to track and report progress toward measurable fundraising and engagement goals.

Application Period

Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by June 2, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.

How To Apply

Please click "Apply Now" to complete the California State University, Chancellor's Office online employment application.