Director of Corporate Partnerships
Our Mission
We are educators and advocates. We are a multi-racial, intergenerational, LGBTQ+ organization working nationally and locally to transform K-12 educational systems and democracy in the US.
GLSEN strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. We believe that such an atmosphere engenders a positive sense of self, which is the basis of educational achievement and personal growth. Since homophobia and heterosexism undermine a healthy school climate, we work to educate teachers, students and the public at large about the damaging effects these forces have on youth and adults alike.
The Challenge
GLSEN seeks an exceptional, results-oriented Director of Corporate Partnerships to build upon its dynamic corporate partnerships program and to support the organization's growing momentum. The successful candidate will be an accomplished individual with superior communication skills and the ability to work effectively and collaboratively with the Deputy Executive Director for Development and management team to meet the financial needs of GLSEN's strategic vision.
Primary Function
Reporting to the Deputy Executive Director for Development, the Director of Corporate Partnerships provides the leadership and coordination of GLSEN’s fundraising strategies and activities with the organization’s corporate relations vertical. As the Director of Corporate Partnerships, you will build and lead your team's strategy, vision, and approach to successfully manage a wide portfolio of corporate partners, ensuring the stability and growth of the multifaceted revenue streams that include: Institutional Giving (Corporate Foundations); Special Event Fundraising (nationally recognized Respect Award galas in New York and LA, as well as other special events); and Pride Partnerships.
You will build long-term relationships with GLSEN National Board and corporate executives, ensure efficient and scalable processes and systems, and serve as a knowledgeable leader in growing our corporate partnerships program to bring significant funding for our mission.
Reporting Relationships and Volunteer Support
The Director of Corporate Partnerships reports directly to the Deputy Executive Director for Development.
Responsibilities
- Oversee the expansion of the Corporate Partnerships team to drive partnership growth, build innovative strategy, and lead in the development and cultivation of corporate relationships for the organization.
- Build an evolving and growth reflective corporate partnership model for GLSEN. Serve as a trustworthy mentor and leader, bringing new ideas and ways to scale and manage corporate partnerships and ideating how to execute these goals
- Develop and nurture a diverse and high-quality staff that is well prepared to meet the goals of a growing organization.
- Represent the organization at external partnership events.
- Collaborate with other departments to create an appreciation for, and inclusion in the Corporate Partnership function.
- Foster an environment of cohesiveness and collaboration with colleagues across all departments and serve as a collegial and participatory member of the organization's management team.
- Lead partnerships with some of GLSEN’s largest corporate partners, including building strategy, leading pitches, identifying new opportunities, and ultimately working towards substantial growth at our highest partnership tiers.
- Guide high level corporate partners through each step of the process -- from prospecting to pitching to contracting, partnership launch, partnership execution, and renewal.
- Oversee successful execution of cause marketing campaigns in collaboration with GLSEN’s marketing and communications teams.
- Track partnership impact against our goals in collaboration with program, finance, and marketing teams to communicate back to partners and show our progress.
- Build strong professional relationships with corporate partner leadership.
- Other tasks, duties, or special projects as assigned.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate should meet the following criteria:
- The intellectual depth, entrepreneurial drive, maturity, self-confidence, interpersonal skills, and warmth to build and maintain relationships with people at all levels of the organization, across a diverse range of educational and social backgrounds.
- Demonstrated experience successfully managing a corporate partnership program or 5-7 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising and an understanding of the current best practices and emerging trends in the sector.
- Strong track record of personal success in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting corporate partners.
- Excellent communication skills—both oral and written—with an ability to inspire others to support GLSEN and become fundraising agents for its mission.
- Proven analytical and strategic skills, with experience creating strategic fundraising plans and objectives, and the detail orientation and follow-through to implement those plans.
- Proven ability to build a cohesive, high-performing staff and work teams and to develop the skills and nurture the professional growth of staff members.
- Knowledge of national LGBTQ+, education, civil rights and other relevant funding communities.
- You care about LGBTQ+ youth. You care about changing and saving lives. You want to come to work (physically and virtually) and feel inspired every day and you want to inspire others. You want to change the world for all youth in our K-12 education system.
- You like to have fun. The work we do is very serious and extremely impactful, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have fun. We know how to have a good time and you should too.
- An appreciation for the mission and growth aspirations of GLSEN.
This position is located in GLSEN’s New York City headquarters; position is primarily remote. For more information see GLSEN's website at www.glsen.org. To apply, please submit your resume and letter of interest to: paul.irwindudek@glsen.org, Deputy Executive Director for Development.
Compensation up to $120K negotiable DOE – Health Benefits from day one.
GLSEN is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strongly encourage people of color, of diverse gender identities, women and non-LGBT persons to apply.
