Director of External Relations and Strategic Partnerships-NSUFP021

Norfolk State University, a NCAA Division I institution, is seeking applicants for Director of Corporate and Strategic Partnerships. This candidate will assist with the philanthropy for NSU Athletics, while developing new practices to help NSU achieve its mission to develop a comprehensive external partnership program. Under general direction, the Director of Corporate and Strategic Partnerships will assist with planning and organizing the major gifts/contribution and sponsorship fundraising programs established for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting partnerships for Athletics, in conjunction with the fundraising arm of the department, and the NSU Athletics Foundation. The Director of Corporate and Strategic Partnerships reports to the associate Athletics Director for External Relations with a dotted line to the Director of Athletics.

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for the development and management of an active portfolio of prospects, corporate partnerships, and donors who are in various stages of identification, cultivation, and stewardship.
• Identify and cultivate prospects and develop solicitation strategies consistent with University goals, including the ability to include Athletic Department leadership, coaches, and staff in developing and carrying out these strategies.
• Responsible for achieving the unit and personal fundraising goals/metrics.
• Participate in strategic planning of both long-range and short-term goals for athletic programs as it relates to fundraising, working closely with the Athletics Director, senior leadership and coaches to identify fundraising needs and opportunities.
• Prepare the Athletic Director and others with appropriate prospect and donor/business information as needed.
• Develop and submit written proposals and other collateral materials needed to secure philanthropic investments.
• Other development related duties as assigned by the Associate Athletics Director for External Relations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to the Norfolk State Athletics, NSU Athletics Foundation, NSU Advancement and its subsidiaries and University business and confidential prospect information.
• Strong and collegial interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively in person, writing, and by phone.
• Able to secure personal appointments and qualify new prospects. 
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Problem solver and strategist who can take initiative and set priorities while being flexible to effectively respond to complex situations.
• Highly organized and able to handle multiple projects.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and comfortable working in donor/prospect computer data base systems.

Minimum Qualifications:

Candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree; with a minimum of five (5) years of successful experience managing and working with Corporate, Agents, Handlers, preferably in higher education/ athletics; OR, any equivalent combination of education and experience within a complex organization from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved; strong organizational skills; the ability to work independently or in a team setting.

Preferred Qualifications:

Previous experience in working in higher education, sports or municipality in fundraising and contract negotiation.