Associate Vice President, Business Engagement – University A…

Carnegie Mellon University is proud to partner with the Aspen Leadership Group in the search for an Associate Vice President for Business Engagement. All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and resume. Selected applicants will be contacted by ALG for further consideration.

Carnegie Mellon is enjoying its most productive fundraising years in its history, raising more than $500M over the last three years. University Advancement (UA) supports the entire CMU community in securing the financial resources the university needs to continue its ascent. As the division grows, we are seeking an Associate Vice President, Business Engagement. This is an exciting opportunity if you thrive in an interesting and challenging work environment. You will lead the development of a new Business Engagement Center at Carnegie Mellon University and focus on building holistic connections and relationships across the university with business and industry partners. You will be responsible for strategic planning, implementation, management, evaluation, and oversight of a new, physical center and associated program that will be Carnegie Mellon’s ‘‘front door” for corporate partners.

Central to this role is demonstrated effectiveness in collaboration. As a leader of university-wide corporate relations, you must support academic and administrative leadership in expanding opportunities and the range of CMU connections for business partners, and will need to work closely and creatively with school and college-based faculty and advancement staff in this process. You will foster a culture of communication and cooperation with the faculty and staff in CMU schools and colleges, the Office of the Vice President for Research (VPR), the Career and Professional Development Center, and other university stakeholders.

You will focus on creating multifaceted and comprehensive relationships with companies to achieve the goals and strategic priorities of the university, including generating sponsored projects and philanthropic gifts. There will be particular focus on corporate relationships with the potential of generating CMU revenue of $1 million or more. This will include supporting, coordinating and encouraging new relationships with faculty and academic leaders; developing cultivation and solicitation strategies for key corporate partners; and writing and reviewing proposals for support. You will oversee the development and implementation of a marketing initiative to create awareness for the new center, both inside and outside the university. This will be among the first priorities in this role.

Reporting to the vice president for university advancement, with a secondary reporting line to the vice president for research, you will be a member of the University Advancement division’s management team and will serve as liaison to deans and department heads, and will provide leadership and accountability across CMU for business engagement outcomes. You will work in close consultation with the associate vice president for strategic business partnerships, who manages a portfolio of CMU’s top partners and prospects, prospects identified for priorities of the VPR, as well as serve as lead for corporate partner real estate projects. This positon will oversee leadership and direct management of the business engagement team and will work closely with college-based corporate relations officers to create an overall structure and processes that foster successful corporate connections.

Your core responsibilities will include:

• Serving as an active member of University Advancement’s divisional management team and collaborate with division leadership peers to achieve division-wide goals.
• Collaborating with the associate vice president for strategic business partnerships on cultivation and solicitation strategies for key corporate partners.
• Coordinating the university’s relationships with businesses, industry leaders, national organizations and other entities seeking access to CMU resources and forge research and philanthropic partnerships.
• Assessing, improving and guiding campus-wide efforts to create successful relationships between businesses and the university.
• Leading and coordinating the efforts of the schools, colleges and service units to ensure that relationships with external entities are efficient and collaborative.
• Assisting faculty and units in industry partnerships in research and development, technology transfer, recruitment, executive education, student projects, internships and advisory activities.
• Assisting faculty and units in securing philanthropic support that complements and broadens industrial interactions with the university.
• Overseeing the budget, administration and personnel of the Business Engagement Center.
• Developing and managing programs, funding opportunities and competitions that advance and develop the relationships between CMU and its industrial community.
• Leading a team of corporate relationship management professionals in identifying prospects, developing and proposing strategies for the cultivation and solicitation of major corporations and institutional partners. Coordinating university-wide efforts in attracting philanthropic support and research funding form potential partners.
• Ensuring corporate fundraising goals and strategies for the Business Engagement Center and associated programs are developed and implemented.
• Providing advice and counsel to university leadership and faculty regarding relationships with industry.
• Serving as a liaison to deans, department heads and corporate gift officers based in the colleges.
• Visiting corporate and institutional partners’ staff and trustees – both locally and nationally – to raise awareness of university initiatives and to solicit gifts. Travel both individually and with senior university officials such as president, provost and deans.
• Supervising an effective program of communication and stewardship for corporate and institutional partners, prospects and donors.
• Setting the direction and oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive marketing and branding initiative for the new center.
• Leading, coaching and evaluating the performance of direct reports.
• Organizing university campus events for corporations and institutional partners’ program officers and trustees showcasing key initiatives. Match university strengths and interests with prospective corporate and institutional partners’ interests.
• Keeping current on programs and faculty research and student initiatives at the university that would be of interest to corporate partners.
• Helping to maximize effectiveness across all levels of the organization through other duties as assigned.

Flexibility, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within University Advancement. Inclusion, collaboration and cultural sensitivity are valued competencies at CMU. Therefore, we are in search of a team member who is able to effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

You should demonstrate:

• The ability to:
• relate well to, and understand the needs and interests of corporations in order to develop relationships between them and the university and to help corporate partners achieve their goals and generate new breakthroughs
• initiate, follow-through, analyze, monitor, and evaluate strategy plans for corporate prospects
• maintain composure when dealing with difficult situations and/or individuals
• meet deadlines, work under pressure, and manage emerging priorities
• pay close attention to detail; keep and maintain accurate and detailed reports and records
• prioritize work and handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• understand and follow directions
• work well with others and/or as part of a team
• work with sensitive information, maintain confidentiality and use discretion
• Problem solving and reasoning skills, analytical skills and oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Interest in all aspects of education and a dedication to promoting the university’s funding priorities through developing excellent working relationships with faculty, senior academic leaders, trustees and other volunteers, and the university and college advancement teams
• Personal belief in mission, goals and objectives of private higher education

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree is required; Master’s or Doctoral degree preferred.
• At least 7 to 10 years of experience in fundraising, corporate, sales or market development, preferably within a higher education fundraising setting. An understanding of issues surrounding business engagement and sponsored research in the university context is highly preferred, including intellectual property and licensing; demonstrated success in developing and managing relationships with academic and corporate leaders; strong supervisory, coaching and mentoring skills; in-depth knowledge of university governance, administration and operations; ability to initiate, analyze, monitor, evaluate and alter strategic development plans and achieve revenue results; and demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Requirements

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and successfully complete a driver’s license verification on an annual basis. Must complete the National Safety Council Defensive Driver Training once every three years.
• Maintain valid passport.
• Background check

More Information

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A listing of employee benefits is available at: http://www.cmu.edu/jobs/benefits-at-a-glance/.

Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.