Assistant Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations, Strategy, & Stewardship (34821)

• Serve as a key liaison between Corporate and Foundation Relations and university faculty, staff, researchers, administrators, and academic units to identify emerging corporate and foundation value propositions and accelerate cross-functional decision-making.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships across the university to identify and advance opportunities for corporate and foundation engagement.
• Consult with faculty and staff regarding partnership opportunities, project development, project readiness, and engagement strategies.
• Design and facilitate faculty and staff training related to corporate and foundation engagement, relationship development, and partnership best practices to increase institutional fundraising capabilities across academic units.
• Develop, maintain, and report on inventories of research, programs, projects, workforce initiatives, and student-centered opportunities with potential alignment with external partner interests.
• Coordinate with faculty and university stakeholders to assess program readiness and strategic fit for corporate and foundation engagement.
• Collaborate with Research and Innovation Partnerships, Sponsored Programs Administration, academic colleges, centers, institutes, and administrative units to identify partnership opportunities and emerging initiatives.
• Support development of project summaries, budgets, partnership concepts, and briefing materials.
• Partner with Alumni Relations and Advancement colleagues to identify opportunities for alumni involvement in corporate and foundation partnerships.

• Develop and implement stewardship plans that strengthen relationships with key corporate and foundation partners.
• Coordinate and support partner visits, campus engagements, meetings, networking opportunities, and recognition activities.
• Maintain and/or facilitate regular communication with external corporate and foundation partners through impact updates, success stories, newsletters, stewardship reports, and other engagement materials.
• Coordinate faculty, student, and partner participation in stewardship activities.
• Gather and communicate examples of partner impact, student outcomes, research accomplishments, and university successes.
• Prepare and coordinate stewardship communications, including reports, letters, presentations, videos, and other partner-facing materials.
• Track stewardship commitments and engagement activities to ensure fulfillment and continuity.
• Support relationship-management activities designed to strengthen long-term partnerships and encourage continued investment and engagement.

• Support data-informed planning and decision-making processes for Corporate and Foundation Relations.
• Assist with development and maintenance of research, program, and project inventories used to identify partnership opportunities.
• Support prospect management and portfolio development activities.
• Assist with program readiness assessments and opportunity evaluation processes.
• Support efforts to integrate and leverage university and foundation data sources for relationship management and strategic planning.
• Assist with business intelligence activities utilizing institutional, alumni, procurement, industry, and partnership data.
• Support implementation of AI-enabled processes and workflow improvements.
• Conduct company and foundation research and prepare organizational profiles.
• Develop background materials and strategic briefs for meetings, visits, and partnership discussions.
• Gather, analyze, and synthesize information to support cultivation, stewardship, and engagement strategies.

• Periodically support additional Advancement functions relating to corporate and foundation relations.

1. Bachelor’s degree.
2. At least three (3) years of experience in higher education corporate relations and/or foundation relations.
3. Experience managing projects and coordinating activities among multiple stakeholders.
4. Experience building collaborative relationships and working across organizational units.
5. Experience utilizing databases, CRM systems, reporting systems, or other information-management tools.

1. Ethical Standards & Integrity: Demonstrable commitment to the highest standard of ethical conduct, maturity, and sound judgment in accordance with the CASE Statement of Ethics, the AFP Code of Ethical Principles, and The Donor Bill of Rights; proven record of handling highly sensitive, confidential information with extreme discretion.
2. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Deep, personal commitment to diversity in all forms, mutual respect, and the acceptance of others without biases, with a demonstrated ability to model diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) throughout the university community.
3. Institutional Alignment: Willingness to deeply commit to, model, and articulate the mission and goals of Northern Illinois University and the NIU Foundation.

1. Strategic Relationship Building: Ability and desire to build, maintain, and deepen productive relationships anchored in trust, credibility, and collaboration with a diverse range of internal stakeholders and external corporate and foundation partners.
2. Interpersonal & Collaborative Excellence: Excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively and collaboratively within a complex organizational environment, cross-functional teams, and networks of stakeholders possessing varying priorities and perspectives.
3. Advanced Communication & Facilitation: Superior written and oral communication, facilitation, and presentation skills, with a proven ability to synthesize complex information from multiple sources and communicate it effectively to diverse audiences.

1. Project Management & Attention to Detail: Strong organizational, analytical, and multi-faceted project management skills; ability to coordinate multiple initiatives through successful completion while maintaining strict attention to detail across varying departments and timelines.
2. Critical Thinking & Self-Direction: Self-motivated, innovative, and able to think critically and strategically with considerable independence, taking direct responsibility for specific goals within designated timeframes.
3. Adaptability & Resilience: A flexible attitude with the ability to modify, adapt, and remain resilient as situations, organizational conditions, and the priorities of higher education and philanthropic engagement evolve.

1. Higher Education & Advancement Knowledge: Functional knowledge of not-for-profit higher education, university governance, academic administration, policies, and procedures, paired with familiarity with stewardship, relationship management, and partnership development practices.
2. Data Analytics & Decision-Support: Ability to gather, interpret, analyze, and present information to support data-informed, strategic decision-making and prospect development efforts.
3. Systems & Emerging Technology: Familiarity with donor databases, CRM platforms, reporting tools, and Microsoft Office software; ability to learn and utilize emerging technologies, including business intelligence and AI-enabled tools, to improve operational efficiency.

• Advanced degree.
• Five (5) years of experience in higher education corporate relations and/or foundation relations.
• Experience supporting or managing stewardship and constituent engagement programs.
• Experience with prospect management systems and advancement CRMs.
• Experience utilizing data analytics and business intelligence tools.
• Proficiency in using AI tools and developing AI-enabled processes.
• Familiarity with research administration, industry partnerships, workforce development, or experiential learning programs.
• Knowledge of corporate philanthropy, foundation giving, sponsorships, or external partnership development.

• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate effectively with internal and external constituents.
• The employee frequently is required to sit, stand for extended periods of time, walk, use fingers and hands to feel, grasp, operate, or handle objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms.
• The position requires regular movement between campus offices, meetings, events, and engagement activities.
• Occasional local and regional travel may be required.
• Use of a personal vehicle may be required.
• The employee must be able to lift, carry, and transport materials and event-related items weighing up to 20 pounds on a regular basis.

• Cover Letter – Please include your interest in employment with NIU and how your previous experiences position you for success in the role for which you are applying.
• Current Resume
• List of Three current Professional References, including name, email address, and phone number.
• Transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable for initial review of application; official copies required to confirm appointment).

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.