Senior Manager, Strategic Alliances (Corporate Partnerships)

First Book has a mandatory Covid-19 vaccination policy (medical and religious exemptions permitted). Proof of fully vaccinated status is required before an interview.

About the position: (First Book has a hybrid work environment. This is not a 100% remote position)

First Book is a leader in both philanthropic and public-private sector partnerships, focused on removing barriers to education for kids in need. The Senior Manager, Strategic Alliances will help design and manage philanthropic corporate partnerships for First Book. This role oversees some of the team’s top corporate partners at high revenue levels such as KPMG, General Motors, LEGO, etc.

The Senior Manager will play a principal role in cultivating and strengthening corporate relationships in a dynamic, fast-paced organization. Responsibilities include partner research, strategy development, relationship building, project management, budgeting, and partnership marketing. The Senior Manager should possess experience in cause-based marketing, corporate partnership development, and/or consulting with the private sector. Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong interest in fundraising, a track record of account management, solid business writing and presentation skills, excellent verbal communication, experience with pitch formation and delivery, creative and bold thinking, exceptional critical thinking skills, and a passion for corporate social responsibility.

The Senior Manager will work with colleagues on the Strategic Alliances Team, as well as collaborate extensively with team members across the organization to ensure that organizational needs are met through corporate partnerships. They will report directly to the Senior Director of Strategic Alliances.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The responsibilities listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Demonstrate the following Core Competencies within the role: Collaborates, Cultivates Innovation, Drive Results, Organizational Savvy, Strategic Mindset
• People management and servant leadership: this role manages SA, Coordinators and/or junior level staff on the team (potentially 1-2 direct reports)
• Meet annual financial goals as determined by the First Book Executive Team and SA Leadership
• Oversee a portfolio of high-revenue corporate partnerships with leading multi-national corporations and philanthropic foundations, aligned with First Book’s strategy.
• Maintain partner satisfaction, sustain long-term partnerships, and engender partnership growth
• Manage partnership activities, campaigns, and initiatives, developing budgets, planning and executing in close collaboration with cross-functional First Book team members
• Bring creativity and a customer-service mentality to all corporate relationships
• Report and track all relevant partner and opportunity updates within Salesforce
• Create reports demonstrating the impact of partner activities, campaigns, and initiatives
• Develop strong relationships with internal stakeholders, to support existing partnerships and to forward the work of Strategic Alliances
• Keep abreast of philanthropic trends that may affect the assigned portfolio of partners
• Remain up-to-date on partner business news to ensure continued relevance of the partnership and to identify new opportunities
• Participate and ability to lead cross-departmental collaborations of internal teams of representatives from Marketing Communications, Network Engagement, E-Commerce, Operations, IT, and Finance to create and implement value-added, integrated programs that advance institutional goals.
• Respond to and undertake special projects as requested by the SVP of Strategic Alliances and senior leadership of First Book.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required:
• Have a strong interest and/or experience in corporate social responsibility
• People management experience
• Solid presentations skills and experience creating persuasive presentations from scratch
• Have a solid interest in corporate social responsibility
• A track record of leadership, innovation and creativity in the private sector is highly desirable
• Possess excellent client management and partnership development skills
• Fast learner with a strong team-focused, collaborative mentality
• Be self-motivated and demonstrate strong interpersonal skills
• Experience working in a matrixed reporting structure environment.
• Excellent writing, presentation, and communication skills.
• Exhibit excellent attention to detail
• Proficiency with MS Office products including Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook.
• Prior use of Salesforce or equivalent CRM system preferred
• Must be able to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Exceptional organizational skills and time management required. Must have the ability to meet designated deadlines.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced multi-tasked environment as a member of a vibrant team.
• Fast learner with a strong team-focused, collaborative mentality
• Able to travel as necessary, up to 40% during peak periods, unless precluded by global or regional safety and public health considerations.

Education and/or Experience:
• BA/BS required
• A minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of work experience in a corporate fundraising, client development, or client management capacity and a strong interest in corporate social responsibility. Demonstrated experience managing and growing high-revenue six and seven-figure corporate partnerships

All full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits:
• Hybrid work environment - can work from home and office
• Dental & medical insurance
• Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage
• Vacation leave
• Sick leave
• Twelve Annual Holidays
• 401K and employer matching pension contribution
• Transportation benefits
 

TO APPLY:
Candidates are invited to submit a resume, and a cover letter that details your interest in the position to https://firstbook.bamboohr.com/careers. If you need assistance applying, please reach out to us at 202-499-5935.
 

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