Senior Director of Corporate Relations​/Strategic Partnerships

Job Summary

Reporting to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, the Senior Director of Corporate Relations/Strategic Partnerships serves as a major gift front‑line fundraiser. The role involves establishing and managing effective relationships with Wilberforce University prospects and existing major gift donors, collaborating with the regional fundraising program, identifying and qualifying potential major gift prospects, designing and implementing cultivation and solicitation strategies, soliciting prospects, and motivating alumni, faculty, volunteers, and friends to advance the development function.

The Senior Director is expected to conduct 15–20 prospect visits per month, manage a portfolio of 100 prospects, and strategically build a deeper pipeline of new WU major gift donors in preparation for the next comprehensive campaign.

• Develop, implement, and drive fund‑raising strategies designed to maximize giving potential for each individual prospect in the assigned portfolio.
• Report results and solicitation schedule of all major gifts efforts to the Assistant Dean, produce visit calendar, and generate development activity reports and system contact reports.
• Maintain comprehensive electronic files in the database and on the server for engaged alumni and friends.
• Monitor resources and expenditures to follow AEA travel guidelines, mindful of the unit’s budget.

• Creative with strong cultivation and special event skills.
• Experience with volunteer recruitment and management.
• Exceptional relationship building with the ability to manage and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong computer skills including database management.
• Familiarity with fundraising in higher education.
• Commitment to the principles of higher education and a strong desire to associate with Wilberforce University and champion its mission.
• A high level of discretion and confidentiality.
• Flexible and strategic, with the ability to multitask, create and implement plans and follow through with assigned tasks and projects.
• Exceptional personal initiative and the ability to drive results.
• Effective communicator, articulate and persuasive.
• Energetic, proactive with a hands‑on style.
• Bright and creative with a good executive presence and personal style to represent the organization to multiple constituents.

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Six years of experience in the non‑profit sector (or a transferable field) with a minimum of four years as a higher education front‑line fundraiser representative preferred.
• Experience in development for a business school or school of management desired.
• Experience soliciting and closing gifts at the five‑ and six‑figure level required and with proven ability to manage all stages of the major gift pipeline including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

Wilberforce University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse community. All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire. The University does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas for this position.