THE ORGANIZATION

​

Overview 

​

San Jose State University (SJSU) is a comprehensive public university located in San Jose, California, the third largest city in California. Founded in 1857, SJSU is the oldest public college or university on the west coast. A member of the 23-campus California State University System, SJSU grants bachelor and master’s degrees in 134 areas of study. Among the top 200 universities in research and development expenditures as surveyed by the National Science Foundation, SJSU offers rigorous course work and research opportunities to more than 35,000 undergraduate and graduate students collectively pursuing degrees in 145 programs offered within the seven colleges of the university.

​

The university’s 154-acre metropolitan campus is at the epicenter of Silicon Valley, the global hub of technology innovation and America’s leading patent-generating region. This provides an exceptionally rewarding learning environment for students. Technology and other firms in Silicon Valley employ more graduates from SJSU than from any other university in the nation. Evidence of SJSU’s motto, “Powering Silicon Valley,” is that its alumni comprise the largest share of Apple’s workforce of any college or university. In fact, the number of SJSU alumni employed at the top five technology companies in the Valley consistently ranks in the top three. Silicon Valley firms regularly seek SJSU students for internships, summer work programs and for assistance with research and development projects.

​

A Campaign for the Future: Investing in Extraordinary People

​

In 2013, SJSU successfully completed “Acceleration,” the first comprehensive campaign in its 154-year history, raising $209 million for its colleges, University Library, Student Affairs and Intercollegiate Athletics. To realize its vision for the future, SJSU will soon embark on a $350M comprehensive campaign, the most ambitious private fundraising effort in its history. The campaign will include investments in teaching and research programs and significant renovations and capital improvements to the university’s physical plant. In addition, it will seek increased support for endowed chairs and professorships, graduate fellowships and undergraduate scholarships as well as for program initiatives that improve the quality of student life and the teaching and research mission of the university. 

​

THE POSITION

 

The Executive Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) will develop and implement a comprehensive institutional fundraising program for SJSU to engage corporations and foundations more fully and to increase philanthropic support for the university. S/he will lead SJSU’s CFR fundraising program in the university’s upcoming campaign by building and strengthening relationships and aligning corporate and foundation interests with university priorities. The E.D. will be responsible for supervising and evaluating three Directors of Development for Corporate and Foundation Relations, creating metrics and departmental goals. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Development, the E.D. will work collaboratively with university leadership and faculty to leverage and maximize corporate and foundation giving. In addition, s/he will manage a portfolio of prospects, working in close partnership with university leaders, faculty and staff. The E.D. is an active member of the university advancement leadership team and is responsible for making strategic decisions affecting the university’s fundraising goals.

​

Responsibilities:     

     

• Design, implement and manage a comprehensive program that will strategically align corporate and foundation philanthropic interests with university priorities and initiatives

• Proactively pursue long-term partnerships and relationships within the corporate and foundation sector to support the university’s goals

• Facilitate strategic relationships between senior leaders and institutional giving prospects; determine ways to leverage relationships that key internal or external partners have with corporations and foundations

• Manage a select portfolio of prospective and ongoing corporate and foundation prospects. Develop solicitation goals, objectives, and strategies

• Work closely with other university offices, including the Research and Innovation Division, to collaborate effectively with external funders and ensure proposals and agreements comply with university policy

• Serve as a resource to faculty, administrators and staff who wish to engage corporations and foundations

• Lead and evaluate a team of corporate and foundation relations professionals; provide necessary direction, training and mentoring

• Ensure optimal integration/collaboration of campus stakeholders in developing CFR strategies that encourage multi-faceted partnerships and help units meet their goals

• Ensure that solicitations of and reporting to institutional funders are coordinated appropriately  

• Stay informed about current university initiatives, research, and educational programs to support the overall giving goals of the university's advancement organization

• Develop multi-year program planning strategies and provide regular reports on progress towards goals

• Provide guidelines, frameworks and expertise to advancement professionals in the area of development. Provide professional training opportunities for development staff

 

 

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE
 

Experience:

 

• Minimum of five to seven years of progressively responsible and successful experience in institutional fundraising within an academic or related nonprofit fundraising environment

• Experience successfully negotiating corporate and foundation partnerships, preferably in an academic setting, and working closely with organizational leaders and staff to build mutually beneficial relationships with institutional funders

• Experience serving as a consultant to and collaborating with university leadership, faculty and other constituencies on outreach, cultivation and solicitation strategies for CFR prospects

• Demonstrated experience conceptualizing and formulating successful proposals that excite potential donors 

• Experience building or strengthening a development program

• Demonstrated analytical, research, written and oral communication skills

• Demonstrated staff management experience

 

Education: 

 

• A Bachelor’s degree is required. Master’s degree, preferred.​

​

 

COMPETENCIES/ATTRIBUTES

 

The successful professional will have or be:

 

• Strong knowledge and understanding of foundation and corporate philanthropic sectors

• An effective team leader and the ability to mentor and motivate staff

• Aptitude to understand complex research and related applications with proven ability to translate that information into dynamic corporate and foundation proposals

• Ability to work with deans and faculty on complex proposals

• Deep appreciation and understanding of the academic enterprise and the ability to articulate academic values internally and externally

• An ability to interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds

• Collaborative and open to input and new ideas; comfortable working in a team environment

• Strong customer service and interpersonal communication skills to work effectively with faculty, university leaders, staff, alumni, community groups, donors, and elected officials

• An ability to quickly learn university infrastructure, policies, and procedures

• High ethical standards and confidentiality in dealing with all constituencies

• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills and ability to effectively plan, coordinate, prioritize, and execute multiple projects and meet established deadlines

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including proposal development skills

• Thorough understanding of gift management and stewardship policies

 

 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

 

This is a full-time, exempt position. A competitive salary and generous employee benefits package will be offered. To be considered for this position or for additional information on the opportunity, please contact or send resume to:

 

David N. Randall

Principal

Randall Search Associates

415 767 3814

david@randallsearchassociates.com

​

 

 

San José State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. It considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or disability. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff as well as University programs and activities. Reasonable accommodations are made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.