Executive Philanthropic Advisor, Corporations and Foundations

In this role, you will have the unique opportunity to help advance a university committed to education, research, and innovation through strategic corporate and foundation partnerships. As a lead fundraiser at Missouri S&T, you will play a critical role in securing philanthropic investment from industry and institutional partners to drive high-impact initiatives and advance the university’s strategic priorities.

This role partners closely with university faculty, staff, and administrators to develop and strengthen corporate and foundation relationships, aligning institutional needs with partner interests to secure major and principal gifts. The Executive Philanthropic Advisor will support multi-million-dollar initiatives, including transformational capital projects such as the Innovation Lab and Welcome Center, and the Bio Plex.

You will work in a collaborative, mission-driven environment where your expertise in relationship development, strategic engagement, and philanthropic partnership-building directly supports initiatives that strengthen workforce development, innovation, and research excellence. Your work will help establish meaningful partnerships that advance STEM education, expand research capacity, and create lasting institutional impact.

If you are ready to lead corporate and foundation engagement in a purpose-driven setting, this is an opportunity to contribute to transformative philanthropy and institutional growth as a key member of the Missouri S&T Development team.

Led by Tory Verkamp, Vice-Chancellor for University Advancement, the unit includes major and principal gifts, relationship management annual fund, advancement services, and the Miner Alumni Association. The development team, led by Lara Turek, thrives in a collaborative, hard-working, and collegial environment. We pride ourselves in creating an encouraging and supportive workplace and celebrating each other’s accomplishments.

The Executive Philanthropic Advisor, Corporate and Foundation Relations provides strategic leadership for corporate and foundation philanthropic engagement at Missouri S&T and serves as a university-wide liaison to advance institutional priorities through coordinated partnership development.

• Lead corporate and foundation philanthropic strategy by cultivating, securing, and stewarding major and principal gifts that advance university campaign priorities and strategic initiatives.
• Serve as a university-wide liaison and collaborative partner, convening and participating in cross-campus committees to align corporate engagement efforts, identify partnership opportunities, eliminate duplication, and strengthen coordinated outreach.
• Develop and execute strategic fundraising plans in partnership with university leadership, deans, and key stakeholders to advance institutional priorities and measurable outcomes.
• Guide the development of philanthropic vision and cases for support, working with academic and administrative leaders to translate strategic priorities into compelling investment opportunities.
• Build and manage a portfolio of corporate and foundation partners, delivering tailored proposals and advancing relationships toward transformational investment.
• Provide strategic counsel, coaching, and training to university leaders, faculty, and advancement colleagues to strengthen institutional capacity for corporate and foundation engagement.
• Represent Missouri S&T as a senior advancement leader, fostering relationships with industry leaders, corporate partners, alumni, and community stakeholders.
• Serve as a member of the Development leadership team and actively contribute to advancement strategy, professional engagement, and institutional representation.

Supervision Received:
General supervision is received from the Assistant Vice Chancellor for University Advancement.

Supervision Exercised:
Administrative supervision is exercised over professional staff including fundraisers and professional staff.

• A Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 7 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

• Minimum seven years of fundraising experience.
• Proven success in campaign management, including major gift solicitation in higher education.
• Project management skills.
• Experience with capital/infrastructure fundraising.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Disciplined use of a central database for benefactor and prospect contacts.
• Strong knowledge of philanthropic practices, ethical standards, and fund type implementation.
• Ambitious professional with integrity, collaborative spirit, and a history of building strong relationships with academic leaders, benefactors, and team members. Working understanding of a research university environment is helpful.