Development Director of Corporate and Community Partnerships

Development Director of Corporate and Community Partnerships Job Title Development Director of Corporate and Community Partnerships Position Summary The Development Director of Corporate and Community Partnerships is a relationship-driven advancement professional responsible for developing, managing, and expanding strategic partnerships with corporate, industry, and community stakeholders to support Texas Wesleyan University’s mission and priorities. This role integrates corporate engagement, community engagement, fundraising, and program alignment by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding corporate partners, civic organizations, and regional collaborators. The Development Director of Corporate and Community Partnerships serve as a key connector between the University and external partners, aligning workforce needs, academic programs, foundations, and philanthropic opportunities with community priorities and regional economic development goals. Managing a portfolio of corporate, industry, and community partners, this role focuses on securing support for scholarships, academic initiatives, workforce development, sponsorships, and institutional priorities while building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships that strengthen both the University and the surrounding community. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Corporate, Community & Industry Relationship Management — 40% Develop and manage a portfolio of corporate, industry, and community partners, including prospects and existing relationships. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate gifts, sponsorships, and community-based partnership opportunities. Build long-term relationships with corporate leaders, HR/talent teams, corporate social responsibility ( CSR ) leaders, and community engagement officers. Develop and maintain partnerships with civic, nonprofit, and regional organizations, including the Local Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Corporations (EDCs), neighborhood and nonprofit partners, and City of Fort Worth leadership. Serve as a visible ambassador for Texas Wesleyan University in the community, representing institutional priorities at civic, business, and community events. Align corporate and community interests with institutional needs, including workforce development, philanthropy, grants, sponsorships, service-learning support, and programmatic investment. Revenue Generation & Partnership Development — 25% Secure philanthropic support from corporate and community partners through sponsorships, annual giving, major gifts, and place-based or community-focused funding initiatives. Collaborate with Advancement leadership to align corporate and community engagement strategies with institutional fundraising goals. Support capital campaigns, appeals, initiatives, and special funding priorities through corporate and civic participation. Develop customized partnership proposals that integrate philanthropy, engagement, brand alignment, and measurable community impact. Collaborate with civic, nonprofit, and economic development partners to secure investment in campus, neighborhood, and regional improvement projects that align with University priorities. Partner with deans, faculty, and University leadership to identify opportunities for corporate and community engagement, including service learning, applied research, and experiential education. Translate academic, workforce, and student-success priorities into partnership opportunities aligned with industry and community needs. Facilitate connections between corporate and community partners and academic programs, including internships, mentorships, project-based learning, apprenticeships, and community-engaged learning initiatives. Support faculty and leadership in engaging corporate and community partners for strategic initiatives that advance student success, economic mobility, and regional impact. Maintain accurate and timely records of corporate and community interactions, proposals, and opportunities in the University CRM (Raiser’s Edge/ NXT ). Track pipeline activity, revenue progress, and engagement metrics aligned with Advancement and community engagement goals. Conduct prospect research to identify new corporate, foundation, and community-based partners. Provide regular reports and updates to Advancement leadership on partnership activity, revenue, and community impact outcomes. Events, Engagement & Stewardship — 10% Coordinate and participate in corporate and community engagement events, including networking, stewardship, recognition, and community-based activities. Represent the University at corporate, Chamber, nonprofit, and civic events to strengthen institutional visibility, goodwill, and partnerships. Support University events that enhance corporate and community visibility and engagement, including Day of Giving, sponsorship events, campaign activities, and community-facing programs. Ensure timely and meaningful stewardship of corporate and community partners, including impact reporting that highlights student success, workforce outcomes, and community benefit. Education, Certifications and/or Licenses Bachelor’s degree required in Business, Communications, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, or related field. Experience Minimum of 3–6 years of experience in fundraising, corporate relations, business development, or partnership management. Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or corporate engagement environments preferred. Demonstrated success in relationship management and revenue generation. Experience supporting corporate and/or foundation funding efforts, including proposal development or partnership-based solicitations, preferred. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Ability to build and sustain partnerships with corporate and community leaders. Strategic thinking skills to align external partner interests with institutional priorities. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including proposal development and presentations. Understanding the donor lifecycle, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship and generate major gifts. Ability to collaborate effectively across departments with faculty, leadership, and Advancement teams. Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholder relationships. Technical proficiency with CRM systems (Raiser’s Edge/ NXT preferred) and Microsoft Office. Working knowledge of corporate and foundation funding processes, including proposal development and post-award stewardship. Demonstrated ability to work effectively within community-based, civic, and cross-sector partnerships. Understanding of regional economic development, workforce initiatives, and community engagement best practices. Ability to articulate the University’s role as an anchor institution and trusted community partner. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to navigate diverse stakeholder groups, including corporate leaders, nonprofit executives, civic officials, faculty, and students. Ability to read and interpret documents, write reports and correspondence, and communicate effectively with diverse University audiences. Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal skills. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of corporate partners, constituents, and University employees. #J-18808-Ljbffr Texas Wesleyan University