Manager, Corporate Partnerships

Position:                         Manager, Corporate Partnerships Team:                              Development Reports to:                     Director, Corporate and Foundation Partnerships Location:                       Remote or Chicago, Illinois, USA The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) seeks to nourish the world’s hungry through uniting and advancing food banks.  Founded in 2006, GFN connects food banking organizations in more than 40 countries that together serve more than 16 million people annually.  The organization currently operates with a team of twenty-three employees based primarily out of Chicago and engages a globally diverse Board of Directors. Our goal is to support communities in their fight against hunger and food insecurity through advancing the food banking model.  GFN launched a new strategic plan in 2019 that charts continued growth with an ambitious vision to help enable its food bank members to materially increase the amount of food distributed to those in need, distribute more nutrient-rich foods, and strengthen the resilience of their communities. Its major goals include:
  • Increase the number of people served by food banks with which GFN currently works;
  • Expand food banking in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa;
  • Support food banking organizations in distributing a greater diversity of foods;
  • Build a trusted global network of food rescue and relief organizations.
Our 2030 vision is a global network of community-led food banks that serve meals to 50 million people facing hunger.  Our team provides best practices, partners and resources to food bank founders and organizations to help them fight hunger more effectively.  In the next five years, we are especially aiming to come alongside changemakers in low-income communities, primarily those based in Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America. The Opportunity: In less than four years, GFN has grown from a $2m to a $20m+ organization.  During this same time period the organization’s staff has doubled in size. GFN is seeking a portfolio manager to work within the Corporate Partnerships team to help grow and steward corporate relationships. We are looking for a corporate fundraiser to grow corporate partnerships that invest in GFN and its food bank members.  The position will be charged with responsibility for stewarding and growing corporate partnerships at the five-figure level and higher with the target to manage a $1 million portfolio within 18 months. This position will be responsible for cultivating new revenue generating partnerships with corporate prospects,  stewarding existing corporate donors and growing those partnerships, while providing support to two Directors and the Vice President of Development. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Relationship Management and Development
  • Supports meaningful and lasting philanthropic partnerships with corporate funders who align with GFN’s mission, future vision, and core program areas;
  • Works with Directors of Corporate and Foundation Partnerships to build and implement corporate partnership opportunities and solicitations for renewals, as well as growing existing partnership value;
  • Develops robust stewardship plans for each existing corporate partnership;
  • Prepares materials and proposals for corporate partnership renewals;
  • Conducts a full range of activities required to prepare, submit, and manage grant proposals and reports;
  • Maintains professional relationships with corporate contacts;
  • Builds connections and works closely with GFN program colleagues to conceptualize, write and/or edit requests for funding, provide donor updates, and finalize grant submissions and reports;
  • Conducts face-to-face cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship meetings with portfolio, and records all meaningful actions including phone and email correspondence in Salesforce;
  • Meets annual revenue targets, determined in partnership with Directors of Corporate Partnerships and Vice President of Development.
Prospect Cultivation and Development
  • Conducts prospect research and analysis of existing and prospective corporate partners in order to grow portfolio of new business;
  • Proactively and strategically designs and activates plans for identification, cultivation, solicitation for the portfolio;
  • Writes, edits, and finalizes compelling written materials for corporate funder prospects;
  • Creates tools and documentation to assist management in understanding new opportunities, profiles of potential funders, and ways to leverage existing connections to funders and donors;
  • Creates and manages development plan for portfolio of corporate prospects that includes calendar of application deadlines.
Candidate Profile: The candidate will be results-oriented, detail orientated and committed to inspiring new and continuing partners to join the fight against global hunger and food waste. The ideal candidate will thrive on identifying, cultivating, and securing gifts with a demonstrated ability in building and stewarding donor relationships for sustainable revenue and impact. A strong communicator, the Corporate Partnerships Manager will steward relationships and enjoy introducing GFN’s work to donors that have not been previously involved. This person will bring a strong understanding of fundraising best practices, fundraising tools, and enthusiasm for raising money. The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:
  • A commitment to the mission of GFN and some familiarity with food security, food justice, or international development issues;
  • At least four years of professional work experience directly in fundraising with a track record of managing direct donor relationships;
  • A proven track record of successfully securing corporate support;
  • Experience cultivating new relationships, including in the cause marketing space;
  • Previous experience with prospect research and identification strategies;
  • Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written, and the ability to effectively and comfortably build relationships;
  • Ability to work independently and in a collaborative team environment across multiple programs and departments;
  • Demonstrated ability for handling multiple, complex fundraising relationships simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating strategic thinking, problem solving, and attention to detail;
  • Highly organized, reliable, and able to balance priorities and meet deadlines;
  • Self-directed, self-aware, and self-disciplined;
  • Willingness and ability to travel;
  • Flexible, energetic, positive, and creative;
  • Fluency in written and spoken English – other language proficiencies welcomed.
Location: The position can be remote or based at GFN’s global headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, USA. To Apply: Please email a cover letter, resume, and salary expectations to hr@foodbanking.org The Global FoodBanking Network embraces a philosophy that recognizes and values diversity. Its goal is to attract, develop, and retain a talented, diverse workforce in a culture where all employees will contribute to their fullest potential.  EOE