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.

Key Responsibilities

Corporate Engagement & Fundraising (CASE-aligned)

• 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.

Minimum Responsibilities

• 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 Responsibilities

• 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.

Application Process

For full consideration, please submit:

• Your completed application
• A letter of interest which describes your experiences based on the stated
• responsibilities, leadership approach, and your demonstrated commitment to
• diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.
• Current CV/ resume.
• Names and contact information of 3 references.
  
  

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 hrmgr@sfbu.edu .