The NRF Foundation provides the skills and resources needed for a life-changing career. As NRF's nonprofit 501(c)(3), we connect people to an industry that’s a great place to start and a great place to grow. Together, we help people build better lives and stronger communities.

The NRF Foundation team works to connect people of all backgrounds to extraordinary careers with industry-recognized training and credentials with its RISE Up program (delivered by over 1,500 partners in high schools, workforce development centers, retailers, and more) and helps university students nationwide accelerate their careers in retail through more than $500,000 in scholarships annually and year-round opportunities to connect to company recruiters and industry mentors.

We are currently seeking an outgoing individual who will manage relationships and engagement with national partners and leverage the network to identify and secure partner engagement and sponsorship opportunities across all NRF Foundation programs.   

Essential Functions will include:

• Conduct ongoing research and analysis to maintain a deep understanding of workforce trends, especially among retailers and future generations; make recommendations to ensure alignment with business development plans and strategies
• Execute segments of RISE Up business development plan across key markets 
• Partner with internal teams and external sponsors to identify, manage and execute valuable and innovative sponsorships
• Collect, understand, and synthesize feedback about NRF Foundation programs from key stakeholders, sponsors, and customers; partner with internal teams to share feedback and insights that impact program design and offerings 
• Project manage team to deliver sponsor benefits and quarterly metrics dashboard
• Manage a sponsorship and marketing budget
• Represent the NRF Foundation at conferences and speaking engagements 
• Understand, track and report NRF Foundation programs’ key metrics
• Perform other duties as assigned

• BA/BS in business, communications, marketing, education or relevant discipline
• 4 years of experience in customer-facing roles and business development with non-profits, educational institutions or associations
• Previous retail, account management, sales or fundraising experience preferred 
• Demonstrated success managing projects that are on time and on budget
• Ability to work cross-functionally within an organization to bring more value to the organization, as a whole
• Creative thinker who recognizes opportunities and delivers outcomes 
• Ability to proactively influence and effectively work and communicate with a broad range of audiences
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with all levels internally and externally, make formal presentations to senior decision-makers, support working relationships, and customer engagement 
• Ability to collect, synthesize and use data to inform strategic direction and actions
• Self-motivated individual with the demonstrated ability and desire to learn and embrace new tools, technologies, and procedures, etc. with the goal of translating acquired knowledge into user experiences
• Proficient in Microsoft      Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint)
• Ability to prioritize and manage competing priorities 
• Ability to travel (up to 20%)