Director of Corporate Partnerships

Overview

As Director of Corporate Partnerships, you will shape a university-wide strategy to secure philanthropic investment from corporate partners and lead a new team. You will align corporate giving with UCL’s research, education and innovation agenda, building high-value relationships and contributing to campaign planning. You will work across faculties and offices to identify opportunities that deliver mutual benefit and societal impact.

This is a mission-driven role at London’s Global University, offering the chance to scale partnerships and drive long-term institutional growth.

• 41 days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, 6 closure days)
• annual leave purchase scheme (5 days)
• CARE pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-site nursery and gym access

• Lead strategic cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of corporate partners to secure philanthropic investment at all levels
• Personally manage a portfolio of major corporate relationships
• Develop creative engagement strategies to build long-term corporate relationships
• Identify opportunities where corporate philanthropy accelerates research, education, and societal impact
• Collaborate with Director of Principal Giving & International on transformational corporate investments
• Coordinate across Advancement to align corporate fundraising with alumni and principal giving interests
• Represent UCL in meetings with senior executives, boards and industry leaders
• Maintain robust pipeline management and accurate fundraising activity records
• Develop and implement institutional strategy for corporate philanthropy and engagement
• Establish and lead a new Corporate Partnerships team, building capability and culture
• Create a high-performing, entrepreneurial and collaborative team
• Coordinate with Faculties and VP offices to enable donor-led philanthropy aligned with values
• Set KPIs, monitor performance, and report to senior leadership
• Contribute to strategic leadership of the Advancement office and campaign planning
• Position UCL as a leading university partner for corporate philanthropy
• Build relationships with senior business leaders and influential networks
• Foster interdisciplinary collaborations to attract corporate investment
• Advise senior leadership on trends and opportunities in corporate philanthropy
• Work with Advancement to deliver an integrated supporter experience

• Significant experience developing and securing strategic corporate or industry partnerships
• Proven track record securing major philanthropic support or strategic corporate investment
• Experience transforming or building teams and functions
• Experience managing senior corporate relationships and negotiating complex partnerships
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders across complex organisations
• Strong understanding of corporate philanthropy, CSR and ESG
• Experience managing complex fundraising or business development portfolios
• Outstanding strategic thinking and commercial awareness
• Exceptional relationship-building and influencing skills
• Excellent negotiation and partnership development skills
• Ability to identify market opportunities and translate them into philanthropic investment
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Outstanding organisational and programme management capability

• Relationship-building
• Influencing skills
• Negotiation
• Knowledge of CSR and ESG in the context of philanthropy
• Portfolio management for fundraising and partnerships
• Strategic partnership development