Director of Corporate Relations

ORGANIZATION:

Rainier Scholars is a comprehensive academic enrichment program that supports students of color over a 12-year journey – from 5th grade to college graduation. We seek to serve those who are most under-represented on college campuses and have the greatest number of barriers to achieving a college education: 85% qualify as low-income, 90% would be the first in their family to earn a college degree. Our program offers rigorous academics, leadership development and personalized support for scholars, providing access to educational pathways and myriad opportunities previously unimagined.

With a budget size of $10 million, a staff team of 50+ full-time employees and 675+ scholars and families whom we currently serve in Seattle and Tacoma, Rainier Scholars has established a positive brand for our unwavering commitment to education, proven success rate, and sustainable impact. We grow new generations of diverse college graduates, career professionals, and community leaders.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Corporate Relations is a key leadership role on the Advancement team, responsible for driving corporate giving and engagement across Rainier Scholars’ two program sites in Seattle and Tacoma. Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, this position will develop and execute a strategic vision for corporate partnerships while leading efforts to meet ambitious revenue goals. In collaboration with the Corporate Engagement Manager, the Director will cultivate, steward, and expand relationships with a diverse portfolio of corporate funders, ensuring sustained investment in Rainier Scholars’ mission.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Partnership Development & Management (30%)

• Manage and grow a portfolio of high-potential corporate partnerships, that currently contribute to $1.1M in revenue annually.
• Cultivate long-term relationships with corporate stakeholders, including corporate foundations, giving teams, and marketing departments.
• Develop and implement strategic partnership initiatives that align corporate interests with Rainier Scholars’ mission and values.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for a designated portfolio of corporate partners, ensuring a seamless and high-quality experience.
• Monitor and evaluate partnership success, providing partners with clear and compelling impact reports on the outcomes and impact of their investment.

Fundraising & Revenue Growth (30%)

• Lead and execute strategies to increase corporate giving, sponsorships, and in-kind support.
• Prioritize new partner acquisition and business development to secure mutually beneficial partnership agreements.
• Work closely with the Corporate Engagement Manager to identify cross-functional funding opportunities.
• Ensure that revenue and partnership goals and deliverables are met, tracking progress and reporting on outcomes to leadership.

Strategic Direction & Management (25%)

• Build upon and expand the corporate giving and engagement vision and strategy to meet the needs of a growing and evolving organization.
• Serve as the expert on trends in corporate social responsibility (CSR), philanthropy, sustainability, and corporate social impact initiatives.
• Provide insight into corporate partner motivation and goals, advising Rainier Scholars on the best approaches for engagement.
• Leverage partnerships with the Board of Trustees, advisory board members, and leadership to support the corporate giving process.

Staff Supervision (10%)

• Directly supervise the Corporate Engagement Manager, ensuring their professional growth and effectiveness.
• Conduct regular check-ins to monitor progress, provide feedback, and offer guidance and support where needed.
• Ensure staff have the tools, knowledge, and resources necessary to succeed in their roles.

Corporate & Employee Engagement (5%)

• Work with the Corporate Engagement Manager to develop meaningful engagement opportunities for employees of partner companies.
• Collaborate with the Career & Leadership Development teams to identify companies, business leaders, and volunteers to support scholar and family programming.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 8+ years of relevant development experience and at least 6 years of experience in corporate partnerships managing high-stakes relationships and securing six and seven figure contributions.
• A deep understanding of the motivations and goals of prospective corporate partners and experience managing corporate giving, sponsorships, and high-stakes strategic partnerships within the nonprofit sector.
• Knowledge of and a commitment to the principles of Community Centered Fundraising.
• A strong understanding of and ability to communicate the mission and programs of Rainier Scholars.
• Ability to conceptualize and describe funding needs in a way that is compelling to prospects, donors, and other stakeholders.
• Experience in developing and presenting compelling proposals, reports, and presentations to senior leaders and corporate partners.
• Outstanding writing, editing, and technical financials skills.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS, & WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Compensation for this role is $120k - $130k annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. This is a full-time, exempt position. Rainier Scholars offers employer-paid medical and dental benefits, employer-paid life and AD&D insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, generous vacation, all-staff holiday closure, personal days, sick leave, and holiday pay.

Rainier Scholars is a workplace committed to wellness and sustainability. This is a flexible, hybrid full-time role based out of our Seattle office, with 1-2 days/week working in-person. This role may require some work in the evenings and weekends. This schedule is subject to change as needs arise.

Our work is rooted in ensuring that people from marginalized communities have the opportunity to thrive in education and careers that they are passionate about. Rainier Scholars is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting an equitable and inclusive environment for our scholars, families, and staff. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and strongly encourage people of color, first-generation college graduates, and people from working-class backgrounds to apply.