Virginia Union University

Position

The Senior Vice President for Corporate & External Affairs (SVP-CEA) serves as the university's chief external relationship and revenue development officer, responsible for planning and directing the activities of the Corporate & External Affairs Division. Reporting to the President and/or Chief Operating Officer (COO), the SVP-CEA oversees the University's Auxiliary Services enterprise, develops and enforces division-wide policies and procedures, and ensures compliance across all assigned functional units.

This senior executive will develop overall business strategies for self‑sustaining, revenue‑generating auxiliary enterprises, seek opportunities for future initiatives consistent with University needs, and build the external partnerships that advance VUU's mission, reputation, and financial sustainability. The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurially minded leader with a strong background in business development, auxiliary enterprise management, corporate relations, government affairs, marketing, and a deep commitment to HBCU excellence.

• Auxiliary Services (including revenue‑generating and self‑sustaining enterprises)
• Corporate & Industry Partnerships
• Government & Legislative Relations (federal, state, and local)
• Community Engagement & Civic Affairs
• Economic Development & Workforce Initiatives
• Marketing, Communications & Promotion of Division Programs
• Strategic Alliances & Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) Portfolio

• Develop overall business strategies for the division's self‑sustaining, revenue‑generating auxiliary enterprises and activities that ensure their fiscal stability;
• Oversee the financial and personnel functions of all assigned Corporate & External Affairs (CEA) units;
• Seek and evaluate opportunities for future initiatives and revenue development consistent with university needs and strategic priorities;
• Manage, market, and promote division programs in an entrepreneurial environment;
• Assess program needs and outcomes; develop new or enhance existing programs to meet department, division, and university goals and objectives;
• Evaluate operational procedures and policies; develop and implement new strategies for designated areas.

• Implement budget and financial planning processes in collaboration with departmental managers within the division;
• Assist with evaluating monthly financial statements and monitoring financial status and progress for each division department;
• Maintain accurate and detailed financial and personnel records in accordance with university policy;
• Prepare a variety of reports related to operational activities, including statistical analysis and performance metrics.

• Build and enhance business relationships with corporate partners, industry associations, and external stakeholders aligned with the university's academic portfolio and workforce development mission;
• Cultivate and steward relationships with regional and national employers to generate internship pipelines, sponsored initiatives, philanthropy, and co‑branded opportunities;
• Negotiate and execute partnership agreements, joint ventures, and MOUs that create measurable institutional value;
• Collaborate with academic deans, division leaders, and the Office of Sponsored Programs to identify and develop partnership opportunities;
• Lead and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy encompassing major gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, planned/deferred giving, and capital campaign activity;
• Serve as a front line major gift officer, personally cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors capable of six‑ and seven‑figure commitments;
• Partner with the President, Board of Trustees, and Advancement leadership to advance VUU's Capital Campaign and broader philanthropic priorities;
• Build and manage a robust donor pipeline using moves management and relationship‑centered fundraising methodology;
• Develop compelling cases for support, gift proposals, and donor impact reports that articulate the transformative value of giving to VUU;
• Pursue…