POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Corporate Partnerships manages the AACRAO Corporate Partners Program; researches, identifies, and develops new relationship/market opportunities; ensures consistency and parity among business relationships; devises ways to help partners intersect their goals with AACRAO’s agenda, and grows revenue through high-quality services that increases the value/ROI of partnership with AACRAO.

IN SUPPORT OF KEY ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGY

As AACRAO is strategic in its efforts to develop partnerships that support our transformational agenda, it is critical that the organization maintain a proactive and coordinated approach to partnership servicing and partnership integration.

The Director position plays an integral role in ensuring the health of the association. The position is instrumental in leveraging significant corporate support for AACRAO’s mission and vision. This position is suitable for remote work. Salary range is $105,000 to $120,000. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identifies new business opportunities that support AACRAO’s organizational strategy; and cultivates new and existing corporate relationships.
• Oversees prospecting for new business and strategic partners, including building cross-functional teams to nourish sustainable, long-term growth.
• Responsible for annual corporate partner service cycle, including: conducting Corporate Partner Needs Assessments; developing and selling partnership opportunities; preparing and presenting proposals to business decision makers; executing the Corporate Partners Program strategy; delivering benefits, often through the management of cross-functional project teams; monitoring progress, and serving as an important point-of-contact at AACRAO’s in-person and virtual events that involve business partners.
• Manages the corporate membership process, including prospecting new companies for AACRAO corporate membership.
• Builds and cultivates relationships with customers, partners, and vendors; establishes a regular call cycle.
• Manages budgets related to the implementation and execution of business partnerships.
• Provides weekly status, financial, and progress reports.
• Integrates partner relationships with AACRAO’s strategic plan and major initiatives.
• Supports renewal of each partner’s relationship with AACRAO.
• Advances AACRAO’s business development program by identifying best practices, tracking emerging markets and trends, reviewing and updating benefits, and participating in periodic reviews of the program.
• Other duties as assigned.

About You

Qualifications

• A degree in business, marketing, or related field (Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred).
• 5 or more years of experience in corporate sponsorships/partnerships or 5 or more years of experience as an account executive for a marketing agency or equivalent. Experience in corporate sponsorships/partnerships with a not-for-profit organization is a plus. Knowledge of higher education is a plus.
• Budget development, financial management, and contract negotiation skills.

The ideal candidate
The ideal candidate will embody and reflect the AACRAO Values of collaboration, innovation, inclusivity, inquiry, and integrity, as well as the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• A proven track record of exceeding sales/revenue quotas.
• Financial and business acumen.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, marketing skills, and ability to organize multiple projects simultaneously and within tight deadlines while achieving revenue goals.
• Strong customer service, interpersonal, and public speaking skills, including the ability to develop and maintain cooperative, effective relationships with members, business partners, staff, and other key leaders and stakeholders.
• A strong work ethic, and be solutions-oriented, creative, and detail-oriented.
• The ability to work collaboratively and persuasively with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Willingness to work nights, weekends, and holidays, as required.
• Proficiency in Salesforce, A2Z Events, Google Drive, Excel, Pardot. Customer relationship management (CRM) and content management system (CMS) software are required.