Director of Development, Corporate Sponsorships

Since 1867, Howard University has awarded more than 130,000 degrees in the professions, arts, sciences, and humanities. Howard ranks among the highest producers of the nation’s Black professionals in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, engineering, nursing, architecture, religion, law, music, social work, and education.

The University has long held a commitment to dismantle systems and processes that marginalize and harm people in American society and throughout the world. The goal is the elimination of inequities related to race, color, social , economic, and political circumstances. As the only truly comprehensive predominantly Black University, Howard is one of the major engineers of change in our society. Through its traditional and cutting-edge academic programs, the University seeks to improve the circumstances of all people in the search for peace and justice on Earth – Howard prepares men and women to advance social justice and the preservation of human liberty.

Regarded as one of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning, current enrollment is more than 13,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students representing 49 states and more than 100 countries. The University continues to prepare Black scholars in every field and across the globe.

The Director of Development, Corporate Sponsorships is responsible for achieving annual fundraising targets and serves as a key strategy partner within the Institutional Giving team in meeting annual fundraising goals. The role develops and implements a comprehensive fundraising plan to significantly grow and scale corporate sponsorships (businesses and organizations), with annual and longer-term objectives, strategies, financial targets and key performance indicators. A key responsibility includes securing sponsorships for annual university events (ex: Homecoming, Charter Day, and others) and ensuring the fulfillment of sponsorship agreements.

This position is required to manage a personal portfolio of prospects, complete a required number of meetings each month, keep accurate records of all interactions and fundraising activities, and emphasizes frequent, values-driven, and customized communications. The role conducts research to identify new prospects, prepares sponsorship packages and letters of inquiry, and supports the development of sponsorship proposals, budgets, reports, and needed correspondence.

Ideal Candidate:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in successfully stewarding sponsorship programs and/or corporate fundraising
• Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office Word, Access, PowerPoint and Excel), and database management skills
• Expert knowledge of structuring partnerships to achieve fundraising goals
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• Proven success meeting financial targets;
• Proficiency managing relationships with high-level prospects in an effort to secure high-value sponsorship support;
• Mastery of moves management, particularly as this relates to institutional donors,
• Demonstrated awareness of current funding and marketing trends to inform pitches and proposal;
• Ability to navigate internal processes and structures to problem-solve and contribute to a culture of collaboration, accountability, and excellence;
• Ability to leverage technology to enhance fundraising and use data to inform decision-making;
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently with purpose and accuracy in a fast-paced environment; and
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and a high degree of discretion working with university partners.

DRiWaterstone is proud to lead this search on behalf of Howard University.