Director of Corporate Relations
About San Francisco Bay University: San Francisco Bay University (SFBU), a nonprofit, WASC-accredited, university situated in the heart of Silicon Valley in Fremont, California, seeks an innovative and experienced Director of Corporate Relations. SFBU’s mission is to offer inclusive, innovative, and inspirational education for lifelong careers and our vision is to set the standard as a national model of higher education in service of the common good. At SFBU, students come first. We prioritize students’ needs by fostering personal engagement among students, faculty, and staff. We are committed to providing affordable quality education with a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. We encourage you to learn more about SFBU by reviewing our strategic plan at https://www.sfbu.edu/strategic-plan . Position Summary: The Director of Corporate Relations is responsible for building and managing strategic partnerships with corporations, foundations, and industry partners to support SFBU’s mission of expanding access to affordable, workforce-aligned higher education. The role focuses on cultivating philanthropic investment, sponsorships, business-to-business partnerships, and workforce development opportunities. Reporting to the Vice President of External Relations, the Director will serve as a key external ambassador, fostering mutually beneficial relationships that advance student success, faculty engagement, and community impact. This is a full-time, exempt position operating on a hybrid schedule. Key Responsibilities: Corporate Engagement & Fundraising Develop and execute a corporate relations strategy that secures philanthropic support, sponsorships, and in-kind gifts. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate partners, aligning their interests with university priorities. Collaborate with the external relations team to design corporate giving opportunities, naming rights, and sponsorship packages (e.g., scholarships, program support, Incubator and innovation centers). Maintain a robust portfolio of corporate prospects, with measurable goals for visits, proposals, and revenue. Workforce Development & Experiential Learning Partner with Career Services and faculty to create pipelines for student internships, co-ops, capstone projects, and employment opportunities. Leverage SFBU’s MBA program, AI-powered certificates, and Neighborhood Campus initiative to align with industry needs. In coordination with the VP of External Relations, develop corporate advisory boards and working groups to guide curriculum relevance and workforce alignment. University Collaboration Work closely with Marketing & Communications to promote corporate partnerships through events, collateral, and media. Coordinate with the Incubator/Innovation Center to attract entrepreneurial partnerships. Work with Faculty to build industry partnerships, applied research opportunities, and collaborations. Establish strong cross-departmental relationships to ensure corporate engagement benefits multiple stakeholders (students, faculty, programs). Data & Reporting Track and report progress using Salesforce CRM or other relevant platforms. Monitor corporate giving trends and CASE benchmarks to inform strategy. Provide regular updates to university leadership on partnership impact. Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with technology companies and startups to drive innovation, workforce development, and student career opportunities. Develop data-driven strategies for corporate engagement, using metrics to demonstrate ROI and impact on student outcomes. Lead initiatives to integrate corporate insights into curriculum design and experiential learning opportunities. Represent SFBU at industry conferences, innovation hubs, and professional networks to expand visibility and partnerships. Who You Are: Tenacious Leader: You understand the power of growing through what you go through. Your ability to embrace challenges with a growth mindset and creative solutions inspires others to do the same. Interpersonally Gifted: You build bridges and meaningful relationships. You are a master of communication, collaboration and teamwork. Global Navigator: You understand the value of being a world citizen in an interconnected global community. You appreciate and work seamlessly with people from diverse cultures (e.g. race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, ability, religion and national origin). Tech Trendsetter: You recognize that technology is a valuable tool when harnessed responsibly. You lean in to understand, work with and shape digital innovations. Enlightened Thinker: You understand the power of informed decision-making. You harness research, logic, intuition, creativity and critical thinking to make wise decisions. Qualifications: Minimum Requirements Bachelor’s degree required in Business, Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Higher Education Administration, or related field. 7–10 years of progressive experience in corporate relations, fundraising, business development, or related fields. Demonstrated success in securing six- and seven-figure gifts or partnerships. Strong understanding of corporate philanthropy, workforce development trends, and higher education advancement. Excellent relationship management, communication, and negotiation skills. Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet ambitious goals. Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree preferred. Experience in higher education corporate engagement or workforce development programs. Familiarity with CASE reporting and advancement metrics. Experience managing corporate advisory boards and cross-functional initiatives. Proven experience working with technology companies, startups, or venture-backed organizations in a corporate relations or development capacity. Strong familiarity with trends in workforce development, AI, and emerging technologies relevant to higher education. Experience designing corporate sponsorship programs that include innovation labs, accelerators, or applied research collaborations. Track record of leveraging CRM and analytics tools to measure engagement, impact, and growth of partnerships. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Strong strategic planning, analytical, and project management skills. Ability to translate institutional priorities into compelling corporate engagement strategies. Comfort with public speaking and representing the university externally. Proficiency with CRM systems, fundraising databases, and Google and Microsoft Office Suite. Ability to translate industry trends into actionable strategies for corporate engagement and student success. Strong network of contacts in the tech sector and Silicon Valley innovation ecosystem. Advanced negotiation skills for high-value corporate partnerships, sponsorships, and naming opportunities. Work Environment & Physical Demands: Job duties are typically performed in an office environment. Physical demands may include lifting to 20 lbs, bending, sitting, and driving. The employee is occasionally required to sit or stand for long periods. Salary Range: $125,000–$165,000, depending on experience and educational background. This position description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice. SFBU is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer: SFBU is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. SFBU does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. In accordance with federal and state disability laws, San Francisco Bay University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you require assistance during the application or interview process, please contact SFBU Human Resources at [email protected] .
