Sr Director, Corporate Partnerships

The Advancement team identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards individuals, as well as foundation, government and corporate partners who invest in the Society to drive impact through science, technology, education, exploration, and storytelling. The team collaborates across the Society to build transformative and impact-driven strategic partnerships. The team also produces global events that deepen connections and leverage the Society’s power to convene, and directs robust annual, major and planned giving programs empowering the Society with a broad base of public support.

The Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships is a senior leader on the Institutional Partnerships Team within NGS Advancement and is responsible for leading the team developing and managing corporate partnerships at NGS. The Senior Director will work closely with the VP, Institutional Partnerships to continuously build and grow NGS partnerships with the private sector. They are proactive, responsible, have experience supervising teams and building strong corporate relationships, and have an exceptional record of meeting and exceeding fundraising goals in a fast-paced work environment. 

Reporting to the VP, Institutional Partnerships, and located at the Society’s headquarters office in Washington, DC, the Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships is responsible for executing fundraising strategies to identify, develop, secure, steward, and renew funding partnerships with corporations and corporate foundations, including launching multi-million partnership agreements.

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include

• Works with the VP, Institutional Partnerships to secure institutional funding from corporations and corporate foundations on behalf of NGS. Projects annual revenue targets, in consultation with the VP, Institutional Partnerships, and supports the team with needed resources to meet those goals. Personally secures multi-million private sector agreements annually. (30%)
• Oversees and participates in strategy development, prospect research and outreach, proposal preparation and submission, and internal collaboration with NGS leadership and program staff, to successfully solicit and secure major grants (six and seven figure level) that support operating programs - from the proposal stage through a signed commitment. (15%)
• Works closely with the VP, Institutional Partnerships in developing outreach, engagement, and stewardship strategies for corporate prospects, with a goal of building durable long-term relationships, rather than short-term transactions. Identifies potential opportunities and produces presentation decks/concept notes/funding proposals with input from NGS colleagues and prospects. Embraces available data and other tools/systems to measure and enhance the effectiveness of the corporate philanthropy and partnerships team. (15%) 
• Actively engages and meets with prospects and partners, and advocates internally for partner interests as appropriate. Effectively communicates with internal and external partners to assure open and productive relationships. Assures all aspects of narrative and financial reporting to partners are conducted with accuracy, depth, integrity, rigor, and detail in a timely manner, always with an eye on transparency and renewal. (15%)
• Communicates clearly and regularly with NGS staff on potential corporate funding opportunities, and works with program teams and NGS leadership to innovate and adapt new and existing programs to best appeal to prospects. Works closely with NGS leadership to determine the most effective role of the CAO, COO ,CEO, program leads, Explorers, Fellows, and NGS Board of Trustees members to initiate/advance conversations with potential philanthropic partners. (10%)
• Effectively manages direct reports, seeking to empower them to perform at their highest level; communicates clearly with them, offering continuous guidance, coaching, gratitude, and direct and honest feedback when needed. (10%)
• Represents the Society at select philanthropic gatherings/events, stays abreast of industry news. Trends, and networking opportunities, with the aim of finding new openings to creating innovative responses and compelling philanthropic partnerships. (5%)

What You’ll Bring

Educational Background

Bachelor’s degree required; Advanced degree preferred.

Minimum Years and Type of Experience

12+ years of experience with robust experience engaging the private sector on corporate sustainability responsibility initiatives. 

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strategic thinking to help shape our organization’s partnerships with corporate funders and a demonstrated ability to work with program staff to define and fulfill our programmatic objectives is critical.
• Verifiable track record of securing significant grants at the six and seven figure gift level.
• Highly effective written and oral communications skills.
• Detail and deadline oriented with the ability to manage multiple partnerships successfully and simultaneously.
• Ability to support presentations to external audiences on projects of highly diverse and technical subject matter. 
• Previous experience directly managing staff and working in a matrixed environment.

Desired Qualifications

• Concise, persuasive, and versatile writing style for different mediums, audiences, and subject matter.
• Ability to work with a small and efficient team of corporate grantmaking professionals, Advancement staff, and other NGS staff.
• Experience fundraising from corporations to support a major non-profit fundraising Campaign preferred.

Supervision

3+ Direct Reports

Salary Information

National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar sized nonprofit organizations.

The salary range for this position is $153,000 - $180,000.

Pay offered to candidates will be based on several factors including but not limited to industry-based or other relevant work experience, education, skills, certifications, and training.

In addition, National Geographic Society offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; engaging and comprehensive wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment; flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31; paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance and insurance; pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy; employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.

Job Designation

Hybrid - At the Society, we believe in the advantages of coming together to build community, mentor and learn from colleagues, and connect more deeply with our mission. As a result, the majority of our staff are Hybrid. Our Hybrid category requires that staff work at Base Camp two days each week: every Tuesday and Wednesday. Hybrid staff are also always welcome to come in additional days each week if they prefer.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.