Virginia Jobs
Associate Director of Corporate Relations
Virginia Jobs, Richmond, Virginia, United States, 23214
VCU is a public research university unlike any other. We're dedicated to serving the needs of students and patients and our passionate community isn't afraid to tackle difficult challenges others can't or won't. We're home to creativity, teaching, discovery and healing. Our location in the heart of downtown Richmond, Virginia, means the nonstop energy of our city ignites our innovation and provides unlimited opportunities.
The mission of VCU's Office of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) is to maximize philanthropic support by engaging stakeholders with our institution working in partnership with all VCU schools, programs and campuses as one development and alumni relations community and implementing the best practices and efficient strategies to achieve a comprehensive development program.
Reporting to the Director of Corporate Relations, the Associate Director of Corporate Relations is a frontline fundraiser and strategist responsible for generating philanthropic, research, and other corporate investments in support of Virginia Commonwealth University's institutional priorities. This role will focus on securing, managing, and stewarding high-value corporate partnerships that drive measurable impact across the university.
The Associate Director will engage companies across priority industry verticals-such as biomedical/pharmaceuticals, defense (with a focus on health and humanitarian applications), and sustainability-while also serving as a key resource for sponsorship, affinity, and general revenue generation programs.
This position will operate within VCU's centralized corporate relations model, supporting partnerships that span multiple schools, units, and pan-university initiatives (ex: Athletics, Office of the Provost, Research and Innovation, Philanthropic Research, and Student Services). The Associate Director will work closely with university leadership, faculty, and development colleagues to develop customized corporate engagement strategies that position VCU as a partner of choice for industry.
Key Goals and Responsibilities
Fundraising and Revenue Generation Proactively identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate partners for philanthropic gifts, research investments, sponsorships, and other forms of support. Develop and manage a portfolio of 60-80 corporate prospects capable of making significant commitments ($100,000+) with the goal of securing multiple six- and seven-figure partnerships. Align corporate funding opportunities with VCU's strategic priorities for corporate relations. Leverage existing relationships to grow general revenue programs (e.g., sponsorships, affinity partnerships) while maintaining a focus on long-term strategic investments. Strategic Corporate Engagement
Lead strategy development for targeted industry verticals (biomedical/pharmaceuticals, defense in health applications, and sustainability) where VCU has a strong research and academic reputation. Support and advance 10-20 high-level university-corporate partnership. Collaborate with faculty and research leadership to align corporate partnerships with workforce development, experiential learning, clinical care and applied research opportunities. Serve as a strategic resource to campus partners for corporate sponsorship support, proposal development, and industry engagement best practices. Cross-University Collaboration
Coordinate with DAR colleagues, deans, faculty, and administrative units to ensure a unified and strategic approach to corporate engagement. Partner with internal stakeholders to review and approve contracts related to alumni benefit partners with a focus on revenue generation and strengthening alumni relations. Partner with Pan- University Offices to position VCU competitively in corporate-university partnerships. Support university initiatives and corporate engagement needs in areas not represented by specific schools/units. Stewardship and Relationship Management
Build and maintain executive-level relationships within partner companies, ensuring regular touchpoints, impact reporting, and recognition. Create and implement multi-year engagement strategies that strengthen corporate relationships and encourage expanded investment. Oversee relationships with alumni benefit partners to ensure that promised benefits are accurately delivered and that partner payments are received in full accordance with contract terms and university expectations.
The mission of VCU's Office of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) is to maximize philanthropic support by engaging stakeholders with our institution working in partnership with all VCU schools, programs and campuses as one development and alumni relations community and implementing the best practices and efficient strategies to achieve a comprehensive development program.
Reporting to the Director of Corporate Relations, the Associate Director of Corporate Relations is a frontline fundraiser and strategist responsible for generating philanthropic, research, and other corporate investments in support of Virginia Commonwealth University's institutional priorities. This role will focus on securing, managing, and stewarding high-value corporate partnerships that drive measurable impact across the university.
The Associate Director will engage companies across priority industry verticals-such as biomedical/pharmaceuticals, defense (with a focus on health and humanitarian applications), and sustainability-while also serving as a key resource for sponsorship, affinity, and general revenue generation programs.
This position will operate within VCU's centralized corporate relations model, supporting partnerships that span multiple schools, units, and pan-university initiatives (ex: Athletics, Office of the Provost, Research and Innovation, Philanthropic Research, and Student Services). The Associate Director will work closely with university leadership, faculty, and development colleagues to develop customized corporate engagement strategies that position VCU as a partner of choice for industry.
Key Goals and Responsibilities
Fundraising and Revenue Generation Proactively identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate partners for philanthropic gifts, research investments, sponsorships, and other forms of support. Develop and manage a portfolio of 60-80 corporate prospects capable of making significant commitments ($100,000+) with the goal of securing multiple six- and seven-figure partnerships. Align corporate funding opportunities with VCU's strategic priorities for corporate relations. Leverage existing relationships to grow general revenue programs (e.g., sponsorships, affinity partnerships) while maintaining a focus on long-term strategic investments. Strategic Corporate Engagement
Lead strategy development for targeted industry verticals (biomedical/pharmaceuticals, defense in health applications, and sustainability) where VCU has a strong research and academic reputation. Support and advance 10-20 high-level university-corporate partnership. Collaborate with faculty and research leadership to align corporate partnerships with workforce development, experiential learning, clinical care and applied research opportunities. Serve as a strategic resource to campus partners for corporate sponsorship support, proposal development, and industry engagement best practices. Cross-University Collaboration
Coordinate with DAR colleagues, deans, faculty, and administrative units to ensure a unified and strategic approach to corporate engagement. Partner with internal stakeholders to review and approve contracts related to alumni benefit partners with a focus on revenue generation and strengthening alumni relations. Partner with Pan- University Offices to position VCU competitively in corporate-university partnerships. Support university initiatives and corporate engagement needs in areas not represented by specific schools/units. Stewardship and Relationship Management
Build and maintain executive-level relationships within partner companies, ensuring regular touchpoints, impact reporting, and recognition. Create and implement multi-year engagement strategies that strengthen corporate relationships and encourage expanded investment. Oversee relationships with alumni benefit partners to ensure that promised benefits are accurately delivered and that partner payments are received in full accordance with contract terms and university expectations.