Senior Executive Director for Corporate Philanthropy & Foundation Relations

About Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University:

At Embry-Riddle, we take pride in our position as the world's largest and most comprehensive university dedicated to aviation and aerospace. Located in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, our esteemed residential campuses offer a prestigious educational experience. However, our commitment to education knows no borders as our Worldwide campus expands our reach globally, providing a world-class education online and at approximately 110 locations across the United States, Asia, Europe, and Central and South America. This breadth of reach ensures that students can access our exceptional programs without geographical limitations.

With a history spanning nearly a century, we have continually adapted to the dynamic needs of the industries we support. In the Academic Year 2022-23, we welcomed over 11,100 students to our residential campuses and over 19,000 students at our worldwide campus.

Join our global community and embark on a journey of academic excellence and limitless possibilities. Employees working more than 30 hours a week can enjoy medical, dental and vision benefits, an amazing retirement plan with immediate vesting that includes a 6% gift and up to 4% match, free tuition for employees and their immediate family members, and a generous personal leave program. To find out more about our benefits and why ERAU has been named a "Great College to Work For" for 13 consecutive years, visit our careers page.

The Opportunity:

Embry-Riddle's Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement (PAE) seeks to recruit a talented and experienced advancement professional for the position of Senior Executive Director for Corporate Philanthropy and Foundation Relations. The Senior Executive Director will lead the University's philanthropic corporate and foundations relations program and be responsible for coordinating activity, developing strategies, building relationships, and raising funds from corporations and foundations for various initiatives and departments across the ERAU enterprise. This position reports to the Senior Vice President of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement and be a member of the PAE leadership team.

This is a high-profile leadership role that requires a professional with excellent verbal and written communication skills, entrepreneurial thinking, and problem solving. The selected candidate must possess strong relationship management abilities and be able to oversee the day-to-day operations of corporate and foundation relations across the University. Familiarity working with faculty, top executives, and community leaders is desired. Applicants should be able to demonstrate a history of success in their prior field/position, with a special focus on success in designing, implementing, and administering innovative programs that require creative solutions and energized problem-solving approaches within the fundraising arena.

Specifically, the Senior Executive Director will:

• Lead the Corporate Philanthropy and Foundation Relations efforts of Embry-Riddle with special emphasis on priority initiatives set forth by University leadership.
• Personally manage a portfolio of corporate and foundation prospects with a focus on closing $3M+ annually in philanthropic support.
• Partner with faculty, the Executive Director Corporate Relations, and advancement colleagues to build the prospect base through the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors.
• Synthesize complex scientific concepts and programs into donor friendly and compelling language for proposals.
• Develop highly competitive proposals that leverage prospective corporate and foundation goals and preferences with ERAU's organizational goals and funding priorities.
• Serve as a leader and support the professional development of the team through intentional leadership that is inclusive, transparent, and empowering.
• Represent the University at various cultivation and fundraising events, working in tandem with the Executive Director Corporate Relations.
• In conjunction with the stewardship and communications team, create written reports for foundations and updates for faculty, craft acknowledgment letters, and respond to requests from faculty, donors, and advancement colleagues.
• As part of engagement efforts, initiate appropriate contact and develop meaningful and effective development events for donors and prospective donors to showcase unique opportunities for support.
• Track progress and results in Salesforce, the University's database, following ERAU's prospect management guidelines.
• Participate in the recruitment, selection, hiring and training for the department.

• Required Education: Bachelor's degree, Master's degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• Minimum Experience: A minimum of 10 years of major campaign and fundraising experience.
• Grant writing experience
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Team-first mindset and flexible approach to development.