The ASU Foundation has retained Lindauer, an executive search firm, to assist in this search. Consideration of candidates will continue until the position is filled. Adele Mezher, Raegan Harvey, Emily Horsford, and Shari Berenson are leading the engagement.
Candidates should visit the Posting Site to submit, in confidence, a resume and cover letter.
The ASU Foundation for a New American University (ASUF) seeks an entrepreneurial, globally minded Senior Director, Global Corporate Advancement to help expand and operationalize a bold and evolving model of corporate engagement at the most innovative university in the nation. Building on Arizona State University’s Charter and unique global reach, this leader will originate and advance corporate partnerships that blend philanthropic investment with ASU’s enterprise-wide capabilities to deliver inclusive solutions and measurable impact.
ASU’s approach to corporate engagement spans the full spectrum of a company’s assets – from philanthropy to talent, research, and innovation – creating pathways that accelerate discovery, strengthen workforces, and scale societal solutions. The Senior Director will play a critical role in positioning ASU as a solutions-driven collaborator within the global corporate ecosystem, helping articulate partnership value across the ASU Enterprise rather than philanthropy alone.
This is an opportunity for a proactive business builder to help translate vision into execution – operating in complexity, testing new engagement pathways, and contributing to a collaborative, mission-driven model rooted in the institution’s Charter to measure success by whom we include and how they succeed.
What you’ll do:
- Build and advance comprehensive corporate relationships that generate philanthropic and enterprise-level revenue in support of ASU.
- Identify, qualify, and manage a dynamic portfolio of corporate prospects, with a strong emphasis on new and unaffiliated organizations.
- Originate and structure corporate commitments and enterprise-level partnerships typically valued in the $3M–$10M range.
- Launch and advance partnerships through formal agreement, partnering with internal colleagues to ensure smooth transition to long-term relationship management.
- Develop sector-informed engagement strategies that align corporate objectives with ASU’s ecosystem strengths and institutional priorities.
- Collaborate across the ASU Enterprise, including the Knowledge Enterprise and Academic Enterprise, to shape compelling proposals and proof-of-concept initiatives.
- Leverage and expand ASUF’s existing corporate network and institutional relationships to accelerate opportunity development.
- Contribute insights from the field to help refine and operationalize ASUF’s evolving global corporate engagement model.
- Maintain accountability for activity and revenue metrics, ensuring timely documentation of contact reports, proposals, and engagement plans.
- Champion inclusive, outcomes-driven corporate engagement that reflects ASU’s Charter and public-purpose mission.
- Stay attuned to trends in corporate philanthropy, ESG, research collaboration, workforce development, and global innovation.
What you'll need:
- Executive presence and relationship credibility with C‑suite and academic leadership; exceptional communication and presentation skills.
- Mastery of the extensive principles and techniques of development/fundraising including proposal development, prospect identification, program planning, fund solicitation, database management, donor tracking, and social networking and marketing tools.
- Ability to inquire about and understand organizational interests and needs and determine how to persuade or market to that organization with compelling benefits.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present effectively to small and large groups.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with academic leadership, faculty, prospects, donors, and/or volunteers in a wide range of roles.
- Complex problem-solving skills coupled with the ability to conduct research, gather data, analyze information, and prepare effective, accurate, and timely reports and other documents to support development objectives.
- Comfort operating in evolving and ambiguous environments, with a willingness to test new approaches, learn from experimentation, and move opportunities forward even when the path is not fully defined.
- Cultural fluency and ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures and backgrounds.
- Ability to exercise good judgment, to demonstrate an understanding of ethics related to development activities, and to use discretion in interactions with donors, prospects, volunteers, and others.
- Ability to represent the institution well and possess an advocate's belief in the vision of ASU as the New American University.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and comfortable working in donor/prospect computer database systems. Experience with Salesforce and Workday is preferred.
- Travel, when necessary, to execute strategic development plans regionally, nationally, and internationally.
- Ability to work early mornings, nights and weekends to attend meetings and events as needed.
Relevant qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree. An advanced degree is preferred.
- 7-10 years of relevant experience in corporate fundraising, complex principal gifts, transformational gifts or strategic initiatives fundraising. Individuals with enterprise partnership, business development, or closely related skills in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors will also be considered.
- Proven track record of soliciting and winning corporate philanthropy at principal gift levels ($1M-$3M+) or equivalent fundraising experience at a corresponding level and complexity.
- Philanthropic expertise working with donors from discovery and cultivation through solicitation and stewardship, building genuine partnerships and deep institutional relationships.
- Experience working in a multinational setting, both domestically and internationally, is helpful as is experience fundraising within higher education.
Benefits:
- Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) plan with matching employer contribution
- 22 days of vacation time
- 11 holidays, including your birthday
- Parental leave
- Significant tuition reductions
- Professional development is highly valued at ASU Enterprise Partners, where employees are encouraged to look across the organization and nurture new areas of interest
- $30 bi-weekly cell phone reimbursement
