Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations

Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations

Company: Milwaukee School of Engineering

Job Location:

Category: Development and Fundraising

Type: Full-Time

At Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), our mission is clear: to cultivate an inclusive community of experiential learners driven to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. Our commitment to “learning by doing” extends beyond the classroom: fueling partnerships that empower innovation, advance discovery, and create lasting societal impact.

We are seeking a purpose-driven Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations to play a critical role in advancing this mission. In this role, you will build and steward strategic partnerships that connect MSOE’s strengths with the shared goals of corporate and foundation partners—unlocking opportunities that support students, strengthen communities, and accelerate solutions to real-world challenges.

This is an opportunity for a connector and storyteller - someone who thrives at the intersection of higher education, industry, and philanthropy - to elevate MSOE’s visibility, align corporate and foundation interests with institutional priorities, and turn shared vision into transformative outcomes. If you’re energized by collaboration, inspired by purpose, and ready to make a tangible difference, we invite you to be part of something Extraordinary… Together!

Summary

MSOE invites applications for a full-time Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations to join our University Advancement team. Reporting to the Vice President of University Advancement, the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations will be responsible for developing and managing a coordinated approach that fosters strategic alignment between MSOE and corporate and foundation partners focusing on philanthropic investment and portfolio execution. They will build awareness of the university’s strengths and assets, create and qualify engagement leads and identify strategic opportunities for mutually beneficial engagements with corporations and foundations.

Essential Job Functions

Major Gift Productivity

• In consultation with the Vice President of University Advancement (VPUA) and the Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships (VPMSP), the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations is responsible for managing a portfolio of strategic corporate and foundation partnerships with the goal of generating philanthropic revenue. This includes working with VPSM, faculty and staff to design and coordinate engagement across multiple units, engaging university leadership when appropriate.
• The Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations serves as the UA point of contact for incoming requests for information from companies and foundations on how to engage philanthropically with MSOE. They support the VPMSP in facilitating connecting companies and foundations to the appropriate department(s) and/or programs at MSOE. The Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations in collaboration with UA will determine whether this is a single point engagement or should be added to the corporate and foundation portfolio for a managed relationship.
• In consultation with VPUA and VPMSP, the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations will identify and develop new partnerships that support strategic initiatives of MSOE with a focus on philanthropy. For those with philanthropic potential and interest, they will be responsible for developing a strategic relationship plan to cultivate broad-based strategic partnerships that may include, but not limited to, student recruitment and internships, contracts, sponsored research, support and involvement with student organizations, senior design projects and philanthropy.
• Annually, the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations and UA will develop metrics for the management of existing corporate partners, identification and qualification of new corporate partners and direct/indirect goals for revenue generation.
• Complete a minimum of 120 personal visits that meet the standard for a qualified action.
• Develop proposals and other fundraising communication to support corporate and foundation philanthropy including reports for gifts and grants.
• Participate in external meetings and events as appropriate to enhance MSOE visibility and strengthen relationships
• Required to travel independently, and with other development staff, faculty and administrators.

Portfolio Management

• In consultation with VPUA and VPMSP, develop a multi-year strategic plan for the university’s top corporate partners as well as key foundations. Also develop management plans for companies and foundations added to their portfolio.
• Submit timely reports for all interactions with businesses and corporate partners with next steps to advance the relationships.
• Work with the appropriate development staff member to complete gift agreements, letters-of-intent and in-kind gift forms to document donor commitments.

Internal and External Development

• INTERNAL: Serve as the UA staff liaison to the University Corporate Relations Committee. Supporting the VPMSP who manages strategic oversight of the committee, this includes coordinated efforts to recruit members from the appropriate academic and administrative programs across campus to gain input and ensure collaboration and transparency in the planning and execution of corporate partnership plans, set agendas, record minutes and update engagement strategies.
• EXTERNAL: Serve as the UA staff liaison to the University’s Corporate Board made up of industry partners. Supporting the VPMSP who manages the strategic oversight of the committee, this includes coordinated efforts to recruit members from identified corporations, agenda setting, preparing information, presenting as appropriate, recording minutes and advancing agreed-upon next steps.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Attend all department meetings as required.
• Provide staff support for events and activities related to the Office of University Advancement, which may include evenings and weekends.
• This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required. An advanced degree is preferred. Experience may be considered in lieu of educational accomplishments.
• 5 years of experience in corporate relations, fundraising, or a similar experience

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write proposals, routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before others.
• Ability to effectively communicate in both written and oral form.
• Ability to use numbers to solve problems involving concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out written or oral instructions.
• Affinity for and experience in collaboration in complex environments.