TITLE: Assistant Director - Corporate Partnerships

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit sports organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports to a community of more than 60,000 traditional athletes, Young Athletes, Unified partners, coaches, volunteers, and more. It strives to be a global leader in shaping a culture where people with and without intellectual disabilities are fully integrated into the community by providing year-round opportunities in competitive sports, health education, leadership and personal development. As a part of the Special Olympics Illinois team, you’ll join an energetic and hard-working group of individuals committed to transforming the lives of those we serve.

Position Overview

Special Olympics Illinois is actively recruiting for the role of Assistant Director, Corporate Partnerships. This role supports the Director in executing SOILL’s corporate partnerships strategy. This role focuses on prospecting, consultative outreach, partnership activation, and stewardship and is responsible for securing $250,000 - $400,000 annually.  

Primary Objective 

To expand SOILL’s corporate partnership portfolio by identifying, cultivating, and activating new and existing partners and event sponsors through a consultative, needs-based approach. The Assistant Director ensures proposals are strategically bundled, mission-aligned, and that partnership performance is measured and reported. 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning & Revenue Accountability 

• Contribute to annual and long-term strategic planning for corporate partnerships, including setting and reporting on annual revenue and acquisition targets. 

Partnership Prospective & Portfolio Management  

• Manage a defined portfolio of corporate partners, ensuring year-round stewardship, retention, and growth through regular communication, customized engagement, and impact reporting. 
• Lead in-kind outreach, Lunch & Learns, and Employee Resource Group (ERG) engagement. 
• Support the Director in managing statewide and mission-aligned partnerships. 
• Collaborate with marketing, program, and leadership teams to develop compelling partnership proposals, align opportunities with organizational goals, and maximize prospect & partner engagement. 
• Assist in developing outreach materials, prospect lists, and content for partnership decks. 
• Advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in all partnership activities, ensuring inclusive recruitment and engagement of corporate partners, volunteers, and board members. 
• Prepare and deliver regular reports on partnership performance, ROI, and mission impact to internal and external stakeholders. 

Metrics & Accountability 

• Ensure accurate and timely tracking of all partnership activities, proposals, and outcomes in CRM systems (Salesforce preferred), and use data to inform strategy and reporting. 
• Review CRM and gift reports to prioritize prospects and track partnership performance. 

Team & Board Support 

• Support Leaders Council and other volunteer boards as needed. 
• Represent SOILL at Lunch & Learns, workplace giving events, and special events; present “About Us” and other key presentations. 
• In support of deepening corporate relationships, collaborate with the Manager of Corporate Partnerships to coordinate corporate volunteer opportunities and support volunteer trainings. 

Other Duties 

• Participate in ongoing professional development, mentorship, and leadership opportunities to support career growth and team capacity. 
• Additional responsibilities as assigned based on evolving corporate strategy. 

Core Competencies 

• Prospecting & Outreach 
• Proposal Development 
• Stakeholder Engagement 
• Data Analysis & Reporting 

Bachelor’s degree in business, nonprofit management, or related field (or equivalent experience). 

• 4+ years in nonprofit development, corporate relations, or consultative sales. 
• Demonstrated success in strategic partnership building, consultative selling, and securing new or managing existing corporate partnerships. 
• Experience with CRM systems and prospect research tools. 
• Strong business development, negotiation, and presentation skills. 
• Superior relationship-building and interpersonal skills for rapport-building with internal and external stakeholders. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Knowledge of nonprofit fundraising best practices and various forms of development solicitation practices, including events, corporate partnerships, cause marketing, and major gift solicitation. 
• Commitment to SOILL’s mission and values. 
• A continuous learner who is interested in being a proactive, positive member of the team. 

Work Schedule & Requirements

• Based in Chicago (with flexibility for a hybrid office schedule) 
• Reports to Director, Corporate Partnerships 
• Monday through Friday with frequent/occasional evenings and weekends as position demands
• Independent in-state travel frequently/occasionally required, including some overnight and weekend travel as an essential function of position
• Physical mobility required: must be able to climb stairs, assist in setup and breakdown at events, stand or sit for long periods of time, and load and unload vehicles
• Medium work required, which involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds; requires a good deal of walking, standing, and/or sitting with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls; includes sedentary work
• Close visual acuity required to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines; operating motor vehicles
• First Aid/CPR Training and Certification required or willing to obtain within the first six months; must be able and willing to effectively administer First Aid/CPR on-site during events
• Valid driver’s license and proof of insurance is required
• Offers of employment are contingent upon clear results of a background check

Rate

$55,000-$73,000

Benefits 

This full-time position includes an excellent compensation and benefits package including health, dental, vision, life, voluntary disability insurance, a retirement savings plan with company match, generous paid time off benefits, and more. 

Special Olympics Illinois is committed to building a diverse, creative, engaged, collaborative, and hard-working team that is dedicated to our athletes, our communities, and each other. Our employees are our most valuable asset, and we aim to create a positive atmosphere where employees feel valued and fulfilled. We truly want people to love working here, and we strive to create a culture that allows for growth, opportunity, and fun.

Special Olympics Illinois is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction, and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.

We will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.