VP, Corporate Philanthropy

Position Summary

United Way of the Midlands collaborates with hundreds of companies to achieve their philanthropic, volunteer, and employee engagement goals through strategic and mutually beneficial partnerships, generating nearly $10 million in financial support annually. The Vice President for Corporate Engagement plays a pivotal role in developing and executing a comprehensive strategy aimed at expanding corporate partnerships and reinforcing existing ones, ultimately boosting financial contributions from the corporate sector. Oversee a team responsible for leading corporate fundraising campaigns, volunteer initiatives, sponsorships, and special events. As an integral member of UWM’s senior management team, reporting to the President and CEO, the Vice President for Corporate Engagement must demonstrate innovative thinking, fearless salesmanship, inspiring leadership, collaborative spirit, and unwavering determination. This position is vital to advancing the organization’s mission and maximizing its impact within the community.

Areas of Responsibility

Strategic Leadership

• Set a strategic, comprehensive vision for year-round engagement of United Way’s corporate partners to maximize engagement and increase revenue.
• Develop data-driven goals and annual budgets for corporate engagement (including revenue, portfolios, and volunteerism).
• Thoroughly evaluate existing corporate engagement policies, procedures, and practices for effectiveness and efficiency, making recommendations for improvement.
• Understand the economic drivers of the Midlands, how these affect the business landscape and what opportunities are being created. Routinely assess threats to corporate revenue growth and proactively address them when encountered.

Corporate Engagement

• Develop systems for corporate revenue and workplace campaign metrics tracking, analysis, and reporting/knowledge sharing.
• Constantly identify potential new corporate partners and successfully implement tactics to build mutually beneficial relationships that yield revenue for United Way of the Midlands.
• Creatively and collaboratively plan and execute various special events to accomplish Corporate Engagement objectives.
• Support the development and utilization of tools and technology that ensure data integrity and the effective, efficient use of data to accomplish objectives.

Team Collaboration and Partnerships

• Organize the Corporate Engagement team for success, recruit and retain the very best performers, lead and motivate the team to achieve mutually agreed-upon goals.
• Partner with the VP of Individual Engagement, recognizing donor overlap and maximizing opportunities to use individual fundraising tools and techniques where appropriate within workplace campaigns.
• Partner with the VP of Community Impact, developing a deep understanding of UWM’s Community Impact work, the connection between workplace giving and community impact grantmaking, and closely partnering on corporate foundation grant requests.

Volunteer Engagement

• Utilize volunteers to accomplish UWM’s mission while concurrently fulfilling volunteers’ desire for meaningful engagement with UWM and the community.
• Create a welcoming and inclusive volunteer environment where individuals of all backgrounds feel engaged and empowered to contribute.
• Implement feedback systems to assess volunteer satisfaction and make improvements to the volunteer program based on input and suggestions.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, Communications, or a related field (required).
• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in corporate philanthropy, corporate social responsibility (CSR), nonprofit fundraising, or related fields.
• Proven experience (5+ years) in a senior leadership role, managing corporate partnerships, philanthropy, and/or CSR programs, ideally within a nonprofit, government, or large corporation.
• Experience managing a team: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop a team of professionals.
• Ability to use data to measure the effectiveness of corporate partnerships and adjust strategies accordingly.
• Ability to develop long-term strategies for corporate philanthropy that align with both the company’s mission and corporate partner goals, driving tangible social impact.

Leadership Competencies

• Awareness and Sensitivity to the External Environment – aware of organization‘s position in the community and the effect of words and actions on that position; demonstrates savvy in dealing with internal and external customers; is promoting and affirming in conversations about and on behalf of the organization.
• Collaborative/Inclusive Outlook – Works in a way that builds trust, relationships and confidence; promotes an environment that values input from the entire team; actions are both open and transparent.
• Communication – Speaks clearly, writes effectively and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens to executives, co-workers, employees and outside advisors to effectively and efficiently share information and ideas; demonstrates effective group presentation and meeting skills. Polished and compelling public speaker to diverse audiences of varying size.
• Innovation – Comfortable and proactive with developing, recommending and introducing new ideas and/or methods.
• Relationship Building – Has the ability to connect and influence a large and diverse group of people; is seen as a bridge builder and someone who is “good to work with” can build and maintain meaningful professional relationships.
• Results-Oriented Thinking and Behavior – A genuine concern for effectiveness; possesses the desire to get the job done with excellence; mentally, is focused on getting the best results for actions taken; does not settle of mediocrity.
• Stewardship – Responds appropriately and timely with the fiscal responsibility given, and to organizational resources and budgetary administration; responsible stewards of people, talent and financial resources.
• Team/Organizational Leadership and Management – Understands the needs and wants of the organization, community and its customers and co-workers to provide accurate, complete and timely service and to further the mission, values