Director of Corporate Partnerships

About the role

Reporting to the Managing Director of Development as part of the team responsible for raising $3.5M annually, the Director of Corporate Partnerships will work closely with the entire City Year Chicago (CYC) development team, staff, corps, and board to expand our revenue base with corporate partners. The Director will reimagine the corporate stewardship model for our highest-level donors in ways that respond to industry demand and leverage opportunities within our AmeriCorps workforce development program. This position is responsible for raising approximately $1 million annually and oversees the Senior Manager of Corporate Partnerships, in addition to shared supervision of the Civic Engagement Team.

Starting salary range for this role is $80,000 - $95,000. Anticipated start date is fall 2026. This is a primarily in-person role with flexibility to periodically work remotely.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a portfolio of corporations to maintain $1M+ funding annually with a goal of increasing funding by $100,000 or more within 12 months through active prospecting of new corporate funders.
• Cultivate a pipeline of corporate prospects with the capacity to commit annual and multi-year investments at the $25,000+ level, with emphasis on new, annual $100,000 level sponsors.
• Develop and implement a corporate partnerships strategy to increase funding for CYC by at least 20% annually and position the organization as a premier workforce development partner within Chicago.
• Steward and develop relationships with national funders locally in collaboration with City Year’s national corporate team.
• Identify, research, and set strategies for grants and foundations that align with CYC’s initiatives.
• Leverage existing City Year programs (team sponsorships, service projects, special events) and create new initiatives and customized engagement opportunities to drive additional funding.
• Produce compelling digital and printed materials (sponsor menus, program flyers, service briefings, invitations, social campaigns) to promote work, elevate partners, and demonstrate impact.
• Engage senior leadership, Site Board of Directors, Advisory Board, and external champions to secure new mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Collaborate with colleagues at other City Year sites and headquarters on cross-site funding opportunities.
• Oversee and manage the Corporate Partnerships Manager to develop and deliver stewardship plans tailored to corporate partners’ interests and needs.
• Create and implement strategies to identify and secure new corporate supporters, leverage existing relationships, and increase multi-year commitments.
• Monitor progress and follow up to ensure timely collection of gifts to meet quarterly goals.
• Identify, cultivate, and steward new corporate partnerships for presentation to leadership for closing.
• Ensure accurate tracking and reporting of institutional gifts and engagement using City Year’s Salesforce CRM.
• Partner with the Senior Manager of Development Operations to hold regular prospecting, pipeline, revenue forecasting, and moves management meetings.
• Work with the development team to leverage events (Ripples of Hope fundraiser, service days, school visits) to increase giving.
• Represent City Year at external and partner functions to establish and deepen donor relationships.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 10 years of non-profit fundraising or relationship management experience, and a minimum of 7 years in a management and/or director-level role. Corporate account sales experience will be considered.
• Knowledge of all aspects of fundraising with emphasis on corporate giving.
• Proven track record of funded proposals of $100,000+ and 25% increased revenue per year.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; ability to deliver inspiring presentations and conduct productive meetings.
• Strong presentation, negotiation, and liaison skills.
• Authorized documentation to work in the United States.
• Criminal background history clearance to work with school-age children.

Benefits

• Full-time employees are eligible for vacation, sick days, and organization holidays.
• Medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment, and disability coverage.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• 401(k) plan(s) pursuant to company policy.

Pay

$80,000 - $95,000 annually.