Job Title: Corporate Relations Manager 

Reports To: Senior Director of Development 

Location: Remote, United States

New/Replacement Position: New

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary Range: $70,202-$84,226.00

About the Organization:

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, healthy and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. NRPA advances this vision by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals as a catalyst for positive change in service of equity, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being.

NRPA’s network of more than 60,000 park and recreation professionals and advocates represent public spaces in urban communities, rural settings and everything in between. NRPA champions and supports the field of parks and recreation through professional development, advocacy, grants and programs, research, publications, and more.

Every day, in communities across the country, the people of parks and recreation are providing essential services and confronting the most pressing issues of our time — advancing mental and physical health, creating climate-ready parks, supporting equity and inclusion, and so much more. We know we cannot solve these challenges alone. By partnering with like-minded organizations — including nonprofits, government agencies, academics and corporate leaders — we bring strength to our programs and mission.

NRPA is a remote first workforce with employees in over 20 states and growing. NRPA provides work/life balance, a collaborative working environment and is committed to our values of trust, continuous learning, diversity and inclusion. To learn more about NRPA’s mission and impact, visit our website: https://www.nrpa.org/.

Position Overview:

The Corporate Relations Manager’s primary responsibility is to develop and implement an annual sponsorship plan in partnership with the Senior Director of Development and the Development team. The Corporate Relations Manager will expand NRPA’s capacity to increase and diversify the existing revenue of NRPA by building relationships, cultivating, and soliciting support from corporate sponsors service of NRPA’s mission and strategic goals.

The Corporate Relations Manager will be an instrumental part of NRPA’s Development team - advancing the organization’s strategic priorities focused on building strong, healthy and resilient communities through parks and recreation. This individual will work with NRPA’s external partners and internal stakeholders to identify and cultivate prospects, build relationships, and transform supporters into sustainers. The Manager will report to the Senior Director of Development and work with a group of passionate, creative, and fun professionals across multiple departments.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Fundraising Strategy and Execution

• Co-create and implement an annual corporate fundraising plan in service of NRPA’s strategic goals with a focus on a more proactive approach to research, cultivate and solicit gifts from corporate sponsors to increase revenue.
• Leverage NRPA’s success with industry supporters through NRPA’s existing advertising and exhibits revenue streams to build out a more strategic and comprehensive corporate program, including a sponsorship program and package offerings that leverages under-utilized NRPA assets, such as Research, Professional Development and Marketing and Communications.
• Partner with other departments to develop fundraising strategies and campaigns aligned with NRPA’s strategic goals and priority program areas, including campaign development, prospect research, outreach strategies, and soliciting and securing sponsorships.
• In partnership with a Development team of 8 and other key contributors, oversee the quality of prospect research and sponsorship materials, ensuring that proposals and reports are as effective as possible.
• In partnership with the Development team and other departments, explore potential new fundraising strategies and revenue streams.
• In partnership with the Senior Director of Development, Chief Partnerships Officer, and other team members support the engagement and relationship management strategy with NRPA’s Business Council and the annual prospect identification and solicitation process.
• The Corporate Relations Manager will partner with the Senior Director of Development and Director of Membership to help increase engagement with our member affinity program.

Relationship Management

• Represent NRPA through direct outreach, in pitch meetings, and at cultivation events to advance NRPA’s fundraising and strategic goals.
• Collaboratively maximize the value of each sponsor relationship, working cross-departmentally to maximize engagement opportunities, including the development of print and web-based materials and meaningful stories that highlight the power of local parks.
• Conference Planning – collaborate with the Senior Director of Development, Senior Corporate Development Officer, and the Conference team to identify corporate sponsorship activation opportunities during the Annual Conference.
• Conference Week Support - Provide on-site support during the Annual Conference, including stewardship of exhibitors and sponsors.

Customer Service

• Exhibit superior customer service with members, donors, partners, and colleagues.
• Promptly respond to inquiries from staff and potential partners.

Essential Skills and Abilities

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent education and experience
• Superior presentation, interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, including tact to persuade key decision makers
• Three or more years of experience in the strategic pursuit of new corporate relationships.
• Excellent writing skills with a focus toward drafting proposals and concept papers for sponsorships.
• Track record demonstrating effective expansion of corporate partnerships, once secured, to sustain and increase revenue and impact from a single donor year over year.
• Understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion concepts and champions DEI practices in internal and external relationships.
• The ideal candidate will also possess an understanding and passion for parks and recreation, urban planning, climate change, health equity, environmental justice, and/or social justice.
• Self-directed and detail-oriented with a collaborative and professional team spirit to contribute to a collegial, team-oriented environment.
• Willing to travel 15 to 25 days per year.