Executive Director Partnerships, Foundations, & Corporate Giving

Job Description

Job Description

Baldwin Wallace University seeks a strategic and relationship-driven Executive Director of Partnerships, Foundations, and Corporate Giving to lead the University's foundation relations, corporate engagement, grant development, and strategic partnership efforts, and supervises a team of two.

Reporting to the Chief Philanthropy and Engagement Officer, this senior leadership position is responsible for securing philanthropic investment, building external partnerships, and advancing initiatives that support student success, academic excellence, workforce development, and community impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead strategies for foundation, corporate, and institutional fundraising.
• Build and manage relationships with foundation, corporate, government, and community partners.
• Oversee grant development, proposal management, stewardship, and reporting activities.
• Maintain a robust pipeline of funding opportunities and strategic partnerships.
• Collaborate with academic and administrative leaders to align external resources with university priorities.
• Provide leadership for the President's Advisory Council and key external stakeholder groups.
• Supervise and develop staff while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Seven or more years of progressive experience in foundation relations, corporate engagement, grants management, fundraising, business development, higher education advancement, or a related field.
• Experience supervising a team.
• Demonstrated success securing foundation, corporate, or government funding.
• Experience leading professional staff and managing complex projects.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and project management skills.
• Ability to work effectively across diverse stakeholder groups.

Preferred Attributes

• Proven success building strategic partnerships that create value for both organizations and communities.
• Experience with grant management, proposal development, and institutional fundraising strategies.
• Familiarity with Raiser's Edge or a similar constituent relationship management platform.
• Strong business development instincts with the ability to identify and cultivate new opportunities.
• A collaborative leadership style that builds trust, develops talent, and strengthens cross-campus partnerships.
• Knowledge of philanthropy, corporate social responsibility, workforce development, and community engagement.
• Ability to represent the University with professionalism, authenticity, and enthusiasm.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a standard office environment, in-person (Berea Ohio) during normal office hours. The position is primarily sedentary and involves regular use of a computer and other office equipment. Minimal physical effort is required.

Occasional travel for meetings, partnership development, grant activities, conferences, and University events is required.

How to Apply

Review of completed applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For strongest consideration, please submit application materials by September 1, 2026 for priority consideration.

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references in one Word document or one PDF through the To Apply link on Baldwin Wallace University's Employment and Careers webpage.

Additional Information

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, meeting applicable pre-employment requirements, and compliance with University and departmental policies, including completion of required training.

Baldwin Wallace University is an EEO employer and educator. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. At BW, we support and encourage diversity in a variety of forms. We value and appreciate inclusive excellence in the classroom, within extracurricular activities and as we engage our community partners.