Director of Corporate Relations

Description

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by advancing innovative research and improving quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis. The Reeve Foundation is a pioneer in the field of spinal cord injury (SCI) research and has funded $147+ million in the laboratories of key thought leaders around the world. The Foundation is committed to building on the findings of decades of research and developing therapies that bring meaningful solutions to people with SCI. Its National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) provides the most comprehensive knowledge, tools, and services for individuals impacted by paralysis through dedicated Information Specialists, a substantial Quality of Life Grants Program, Peer & Family Support Program, and community partnerships, outreach and education programs built to foster self-advocacy.

Position Summary: Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Director of Corporate Relations will lead the Foundation’s strategy to build mutually beneficial relationships with corporations, corporate foundations, and business leaders. This results-oriented role will identify, cultivate, solicit, close, and steward corporate investments that advance the Foundation’s mission and priorities. The Director will create and manage a robust prospect portfolio, implement an organization-wide account-planning process, and generate at least $500,000 annually in new and renewed corporate revenue, with goals increasing as the program matures. The role supports programs and events including Team Reeve, Reeve Summit, Research, Advocacy, Research, Reeve Golf Classic, A Walk to Believe, and others.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a corporate relations strategy aligned with the Foundation’s mission, priorities, and annual revenue plan.
• Build and manage a qualified portfolio through identification, cultivation, solicitation, negotiation, and stewardship.
• Meet an annual revenue goal beginning at $500,000 through corporate gifts, sponsorships, grants, cause marketing, employee engagement, and other partnerships.
• Create tailored proposals, presentations, sponsorship packages, budgets, reports, and agreements that demonstrate measurable value.
• Engage corporate decision-makers through meetings, site visits, briefings, events, and volunteer opportunities.
• Partner with Foundation leaders, board members, staff, and volunteers to coordinate outreach and deliver compelling engagement opportunities.
• Maintain an accurate pipeline, forecasts, and records of contacts, proposals, commitments, restrictions, recognition, and stewardship in Salesforce.
• Ensure timely acknowledgments, reporting, benefit fulfillment, and renewal for corporate partners.
• Monitor corporate philanthropy, sponsorship, and trends to identify partnership opportunities.
• Represent the Foundation at business, civic, and community events while upholding ethical, confidentiality, and compliance standards.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and five years of progressive experience in fundraising, corporate relations, business development, sponsorship sales, or a related field or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Demonstrated success securing significant corporate gifts, grants, sponsorships, or strategic partnerships and achieving ambitious revenue goals.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with senior corporate leaders and translate organizational priorities into compelling partnerships.
• Excellent writing, presentation, negotiation, project management, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Sound financial judgment, experience developing proposal budgets and monitoring revenue performance.
• Proficiency with Salesforce or comparable CRM systems and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgment, protect confidential information, and work independently and collaboratively.
• Availability for occasional evening or weekend events and required travel.
• Experience in a nonprofit, foundation, education, healthcare, cultural, or community-based organization.
• Knowledge of corporate social responsibility, employee engagement, sponsorship valuation, and corporate foundation grantmaking.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Fund-Raising Executive credential or relevant advanced training preferred.
• Experience in healthcare nonprofit fundraising a plus

Travel: Approximately 20% of travel is required. Attendance at Foundation special events is expected.

Physical Demands/Office Environment: 

This position is primarily a sedentary, remote role, but includes periodic physical activity. As noted, the role includes occasional travel to conferences and periodic on-site activity at the Foundation's headquarters. They will need to be able to lift up to 10 lbs.

• During travel: The individual must be able to set up live events, including exhibit booths, presenter stages, and displays.
• During on-site work at headquarters: The individual may occasionally need to move about inside the office to liaise with staff, access files, and use office machinery.

The Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily, with or without a reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

The Foundation is committed to providing a work environment free of harassment and discrimination that supports individual dignity and respect.

Please submit a cover letter along with your resume to be considered for this position