Associate Director of Industry Engagement

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Industry Engagement serves as Wentworth Institute of Technology's lead relationship manager for industry partnerships, corporate engagement, and sponsorship development.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Development, the Associate Director develops and manages strategic relationships with corporations, industry leaders, and alumni executives to advance the university's fundraising, workforce development, student success, and institutional priorities.

The position is responsible for securing $1.5 million annually through corporate sponsorships, partnership revenue, and philanthropic commitments while strengthening Wentworth's visibility and reputation among key employers and industry leaders.

Working collaboratively across the university and Advancement division, the Associate Director creates meaningful pathways for organizations and their leaders to engage with Wentworth through philanthropy, sponsorship, workforce development, student engagement, and volunteer leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Industry Engagement and Partnership Development

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 100-125 corporations, industry leaders, alumni executives, and strategic partners.
• Develop and execute comprehensive engagement strategies that strengthen corporate relationships and generate sponsorship, philanthropic, workforce development, and partnership opportunities aligned with institutional priorities.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate partners while maintaining a strong pipeline of prospective organizations and executive leaders.
• Conduct meaningful engagement activities with senior executives and organizational leaders to advance Wentworth's mission and strategic priorities.

Sponsorship, Revenue Generation, and Corporate Philanthropy

• Secure a minimum of $1.5 million annually through corporate sponsorships, strategic partnerships, and philanthropic commitments.
• Serve as the lead fundraiser for corporate sponsorship opportunities across the university.
• Oversee sponsorship development and fulfillment for signature university events, including Women at Wentworth, the Alumni Golf Tournament, and other institutional priorities.
• Develop proposals, sponsorship packages, and partnership opportunities that create value for both Wentworth and corporate partners.

Strategic Advancement Collaboration

• Partner closely with the Senior Associate Director of Foundation Engagement and Associate Director of Government Relations to develop coordinated strategies that maximize opportunities for corporate, foundation, and government support.
• Collaborate with faculty, academic leadership, and university administrators to identify partnership opportunities that advance institutional priorities.
• Serve as the Advancement lead for developing, structuring, and supporting industry advisory boards with campus partners
• Prepare briefing materials and engagement strategies for university leaders participating in partner cultivation and solicitation efforts.

Alumni Executive Engagement

• Partner with colleagues in Individual Giving and Lifetime Engagement to identify, cultivate, and engage alumni executives as donors, volunteers, and industry advocates.
• Support strategies that increase corporate engagement among alumni-led organizations and expand opportunities for alumni involvement through networking, mentoring, volunteer leadership, and philanthropic participation.
• Facilitate introductions and engagement opportunities for alumni executives with major gift potential.
• Develop and support alumni engagement activities hosted in partnership with corporate partners.

Administration and Stewardship

• Maintain timely and accurate records of engagement activity, proposals, sponsorships, and partnership outcomes within the university CRM system.
• Monitor progress toward annual goals and provide regular performance and pipeline reports.
• Complete administrative responsibilities related to travel, expenses, and reporting in a timely manner.
• Contribute to a culture of collaboration by sharing information, offering assistance when needed, and supporting shared goals across the division.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of three to five years of progressively responsible experience in business development, corporate relations, strategic partnerships, fundraising, sales, workforce development, employer engagement, economic development, higher education, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success cultivating and managing relationships with corporate executives, industry leaders, and external stakeholders.
• Proven track record securing sponsorships, partnerships, philanthropic support, or other revenue-generating opportunities.
• Experience developing and executing strategic engagement plans that result in measurable organizational outcomes.
• High degree of resilience with a positive can do attitude.
• Strong networking, relationship-building, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, verbal, and presentation communication skills across multiple mediums, including video conferencing.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, CRM systems, and data management practices.
• Strong collaboration and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize effectively and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to handle confidential information responsibly and interact professionally with a wide spectrum of individuals.
• Willingness and ability to travel regionally and nationally, including occasional evening and weekend commitments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree preferred.
• Experience in higher education, advancement, employer engagement, workforce development, economic development, corporate relations, or business development.
• Experience working with executive-level leaders, advisory boards, and volunteer organizations.
• Familiarity with industries aligned with Wentworth academic programs.
• Experience securing corporate sponsorships, philanthropic investments, and strategic partnerships.
• Knowledge of fundraising principles and advancement best practices.

Working Environment

• This position operates in a hybrid work environment and requires regular engagement with corporate partners, alumni executives, and university stakeholders. Evening and weekend work is expected in support of sponsorship activities, donor cultivation, corporate engagement events, and university programs. Regional and occasional national travel is required.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Position Details

The job grade for this position is Grade 9.

The expected salary for this position is between $90,000 - $113,000 which reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this role.

At this time, the university is unable to sponsor applicants for H-1B visas.

This is a hybrid position requiring on-site work 1-2 days per week.

Compensation and Benefits

• Wentworth Institute of Technology is committed to fair, transparent, and legally compliant compensation practices. We believe that clarity about pay structures and ranges supports equity, fosters trust, and ensures a positive workplace for all employees.
• Please visit here to see the comprehensive benefits package offered to support the best experience for our employees.

Inclusive Excellence at Wentworth

Inclusive Excellence is one of the four pillars of the Strategic Plan. Actively and intentionally cultivating a diverse and culturally competent institution where each member has the opportunity and support to reach their full potential and make contributions to our campus community and beyond is Inclusive Excellence at Wentworth.

All applicants have the right to accessibility support and accommodations. To request accessibility support or accommodations, contact the Executive Director of Equity and Compliance, Catlin Wells, at.