Sr. Corporate & Foundation Engagement Officer

The Carlson School of Management (Minnesota Carlson) development team is a high-performing, mission-driven fundraising enterprise that consistently secures more than $24 million in philanthropic support annually. This dynamic team is composed of skilled, strategic development professionals who advance both college-wide priorities and department-level initiatives. With a proven record of cultivating meaningful donor relationships, the team plays a pivotal role in driving philanthropic investments that fuel the College's academic excellence, research innovation, and student success.

Minnesota Carlson is consistently ranked among the top business schools nationally and globally, with highly ranked undergraduate and graduate programs. The college averages more than $5M annually in corporate and foundation support, benefiting from Minnesota's strong corporate presence, including 17 Fortune 500 companies and many large private corporations.

Operating within the University of Minnesota Foundation's fundraising model designed to create and ensure the most gratifying gift experience, the CSOM team embraces a culture of partnership, collaboration, and shared purpose in pursuit of exceptional outcomes for donors, the University, and the broader community.

The University of Minnesota, a top 3 institution in the Big 10 for philanthropic corporate production, is a national model in corporate engagement, and is uniquely comprehensive among R1 universities. This position will support Minnesota Carlson's corporate and foundation partnerships and is part of the central Corporate and Foundation Engagement team at the University of Minnesota Foundation with meaningful and frequent partnership with the Dean of Minnesota Carlson.

The Sr. Corporate and Foundation Engagement Officer is a high performing fundraiser and strategic partner responsible for driving investment growth and securing major investments for the Carlson School of Management, with a focus on corporate and foundation partners. Working closely with the Dean of Minnesota Carlson, key school partners, and other internal stakeholders, the role will be a partner in the development and execution of the corporate and foundation engagement strategy for the Carlson School of Management.

The officer will manage a portfolio of corporate and private foundations to drive investments into the school and partner with the Dean and leadership to identify opportunities to advance philanthropic and/or sponsorship discussions.

The Sr. Corporate and Foundation Engagement Officer will represent Minnesota Carlson on the Corporate Engagement Center Leadership Council and lead and/or participate on university-wide strategy teams to drive campus collaboration around corporate engagement and investment.

• Focus on engaging in face-to-face meaningful donor work that advances gift conversations and supports the University of Minnesota ensuring a gratifying gift experience for all donors.
• Prospect Management:
  Actively identify and cultivate, solicit, and steward a balanced, healthy portfolio of major gift prospects through consistent outreach and relationship building.
• Serve as the philanthropic advisor/thought partner to corporate partners, helping translate academic priorities into compelling, fundable initiatives.
• Under the direction of leadership, develop a blended portfolio, breaking down departmental silos to allow for "big idea" gift opportunities in addition to core unit priorities.
• Assist with the operational framework for specific fundraising initiatives ensuring alignment with University of Minnesota Foundation standards and strategic vision.
• Serve as a member of the overall development team by collaborating with colleagues across disciplines on donor strategies, maintaining timely, accurate reports and information.
• Perform one's work within a framework of commitment to production, collaboration, innovation and purpose.
• Develop and maintain a thorough working knowledge of unit priorities.
• Manage and lead specific fundraising projects as assigned.

• Build and lead a high-performing team by aligning individual performance with the Foundation's strategic priorities.
• Direct unit operations and resource allocation to ensure maximum efficiency and the successful execution of fundraising initiatives.
• Oversee the recruitment, selection, and integration of top-tier development talent, fostering a diverse and inclusive professional environment.
• Actively coach and mentor staff, using data-driven performance metrics to identify and fuel growth opportunities. Provide leadership with each team member to establish individual goals and metrics.
• Ensure a safe, healthy, and policy-compliant work environment that upholds the reputation of the University and UMF.

• Collaborate in the planning and production of fundraising activities to define philanthropic goals, donor engagement targets, and…