Associate Director of Development for Corporate Relations

Northeastern Illinois University

Chicago, Illinois

Northeastern Illinois University seeks a dynamic Associate Director of Development for Corporate Relations to serve as our principal liaison to Chicago's corporate community. This is an exceptional opportunity for a strategic relationship builder who thrives at the intersection of business, philanthropy, and mission-driven education.

The Opportunity: Cultivate corporate partnerships ranging from $1,000 to $25,000+ while developing transformative alliances that extend beyond transactional sponsorships. Represent NEIU across diverse professional networks throughout the Chicago region, building authentic relationships with corporate executives, civic leaders, and community partners. Manage a portfolio of 30-50 corporate prospects, conduct 8-12 partner meetings monthly, and support multichannel annual giving strategies including direct mail, digital campaigns, and monthly giving programs.

Key Responsibilities:

Identify, cultivate, and steward corporate partnerships through compelling proposals and relationship building
Serve as NEIU's ambassador in Chicago business and civic organizations
Develop partnership proposals aligning corporate goals with University priorities
Support annual giving strategies and collaborate on donor engagement initiatives
Work cross-functionally with faculty, administrators, Alumni Relations, and Marketing
Provide strategic leadership through the NEIU Foundation’s Development Committee participation and campaign planning

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
3+ years of progressive experience in corporate partnerships, fundraising, or business development with demonstrated success securing corporate sponsorships
Proven ability to build professional relationships within business and civic communities
Experience navigating corporate structures and presenting proposals to business leaders
Proficiency with CRM systems (Raiser's Edge preferred)
Strong persuasive writing and storytelling skills
Ability to travel throughout the Chicago metropolitan area

Preferred Qualifications:

Advanced degree and/or professional certification (AFP, CFRE, or related)
Annual giving experience in higher education or nonprofit settings
Established Chicago business/civic network
Multilingual capabilities, particularly Spanish fluency
Experience with diverse communities and mission-driven organizations

The Ideal Candidate: You bring executive presence to engage credibly with C-suite leaders and cultural competency to build authentic relationships across diverse communities. You have a strategic, entrepreneurial mindset that identifies opportunities and creates solutions. You excel at narrative storytelling that articulates mission and impact, and you're a collaborative partner who builds consensus across constituencies.

Why NEIU: Northeastern Illinois University is a vibrant public four-year higher education institution with a proud legacy of access, inclusion and academic excellence that spans more than 150 years. Established in 1867 and rooted in Chicago, Northeastern reflects the city’s diversity, resilience and spirit. We deliver a high-quality, affordable education designed to meet the needs of today’s learners those who balance ambition with real-life responsibilities, and bring purpose and determination to everything they do.

We serve one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse student populations in the Midwest. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds and speak more than 40 languages. Many are the first in their families to attend college. They are parents, veterans, working professionals, career changers and community leaders and they all share a common drive to build a better world for themselves and those around them.

This position offers a competitive salary ($73,000) and comprehensive State of Illinois benefits including health, dental, and vision coverage, sick and vacation days, and participation in the State Universities Retirement System.

Apply Now: Join a dedicated Institutional Advancement team committed to elevating NEIU's impact and expanding opportunities for our students.

Northeastern Illinois University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and invites applications from Women, Minorities, Veterans and Persons with Disabilities, as well as other qualified individuals.

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Associate Director of Development for Corporate Relations