Partnerships Director

The Partnerships Director is responsible for identifying, securing and stewarding relationships with industry partners across three key areas – Entertainment, Sports, and Brand. Executes events and initiatives that generate revenue for our service lines and further our mission to change the way the world defines and views disability.

Hiring Range: $127k - $159k

• In conjunction with Chief Advancement Officer and Sr. Director, Partnerships, supports Change vertical of the ESSC Vision and Impact Plan.
• Identifies and cultivates partnerships at local and national levels and develops mutually beneficial relationships with a portfolio of partners, acting as primary point of contact.
• Manages strategy, planning, execution of partnership events, panels, and social impact initiatives.
• Peer leadership of Manager, work closely on tracking of prospects, events calendar, communications and logistics.
• Supports strategy and execution of the organization’s partnerships including but not limited to working with marketing team on creative assets, executing hospitality events, and collaborating with project manager (EPMO) to track contractual benefits and measure results/ROI.
• Maintains portfolio of 75+ partners and prospects through ongoing communication (i.e. regular newsletter) and solicitation; ensure timely renewals, and continued partnership growth YOY.
• Interacts at the highest level within the organization, including Board members, and leadership team members.
• Supports Senior Director in the growth of DEI partnerships across industries and in the management/renewal of consulting relationships.
• Collaborates closely with Development team to enlist corporate sponsors for fundraising events and create synergy between individual giving and partnerships.
• Stays current on consumer trends, cause marketing practices, digital, corporate sponsorship and corporate philanthropic funding; converts insights into actionable programs and new revenue streams.
• Develops and presents creative and impactful presentations and proposals for corporate partnership opportunities.
• Travels to industry conferences and meets with existing partners and solicits new partners while serving as a Brand Ambassador for the organization.
• Establishes an environment for high performance, a commitment to quality, welcomes and encourages collaboration and fosters both intra and inter-departmental dialogue and respect.
• Passion for Easterseals’s mission of disability inclusion, can-do attitude and appreciation for teamwork.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree (BA, BS) with emphasis in marketing, communications, or other related field; or commensurate experience required.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in related fields such as account management, corporate responsibility, nonprofit development, partnerships, PR, events, sales or a combination of related fields.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Proficient in Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); MS-Office preferred. Experience using fundraising/development software applications.
• Experience with event planning and execution.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with a meticulous attention to detail.
• Highly proactive and autonomous, with experience meeting deadlines and balancing competing priorities and administering budgets.
• Outstanding partnership development, customer service, and relationship management skills.
• Experience using relevant software applications, including database management, graphics, spreadsheets, calendaring and word processing; MS-Office preferred.
• Ability to work mornings, evenings, and/or weekends that coincide with events and meetings, and multiple worksites.
• Ability to exercise a high level of discretion in handling confidential data and information.
• Strong communication skills with all levels of employees in order to create and maintain effective partnerships, internal and external to the organization.
• Knowledge of general employment laws and regulations.
• Ability to interface with all levels of management.
• Open to feedback and willing to strive to improve own performance based on feedback.