Apply to Corporate Partnerships Director - Business Development

Who We Are:

Trust for Public Land (TPL) is the leader of a movement to connect everyone in America to the outdoors. A national nonprofit, TPL partners with communities to create high-quality parks and protect public lands—especially in communities that need them most—to improve public health, create social cohesion, strengthen historic and cultural connection to place, and increase climate resilience. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,500 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, generated over $112 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 10 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit www.tpl.org.


“For over 50 years, Trust for Public Land has been working tirelessly towards our vision that every individual should have close-to-home access to the benefits of nature. In today’s world, our land-for-people solutions are more relevant than ever. Quality parks and natural spaces are a fundamental requirement for sustaining healthy, equitable communities that are resilient and prepared for change. Parks and public lands connect us to each other and to the outdoors. We are a vibrant organization with a strategic plan that builds on our success and positions TPL for a comprehensive fundraising campaign. Join us and become part of a growing and forward-thinking team focused on growing our philanthropic partnerships to ensure healthy, livable communities for generations to come.”
- Patricia Watson, Chief Advancement Officer

Position Summary:
Trust for Public Land (TPL) is seeking a dynamic and accomplished Corporate Partnerships Director (CPD) to elevate and grow corporate engagement and giving.

The CPD is responsible for bridging the corporate community and Trust for Public Land by developing partnerships that engage corporations, their employees, and their customers in ways that lead to financial support and increased brand awareness for TPL. This position partners with marketing and field philanthropy, and is responsible for building and maintaining corporate philanthropic, co-venture and/or co-marketing opportunities that lead to financial support. 

Strong candidates will have a proven track record of building and growing strong relationships that inspire both new and established partners to financially support the mission. This position requires exceptional fundraising ability, internal and external communication skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to collaborate across teams.

Responsibilities:

• 45% relationship management: The CPD will manage a portfolio and secure philanthropic gifts from corporations who currently give in the $25,000 to $500,000+ range, and who may have capacity for financial support through commercial co-ventures (CCV), cause marketing, licensing agreements, brand partnerships, and sponsorship agreements.
• 40% new business development: The CPD will focus on acquiring new corporate donors and partners.
• 10% cross functional collaboration: The CPD will work in collaboration with philanthropy, marketing, legal, finance, leadership, program, and field staff on strategies to develop and implement successful corporate engagement and co-venture/co-branding opportunities. The CPD ensures alignment with the co-venture/co-branding guidelines and processes and oversees proposed opportunities through a vetting and approval process. 
• 5% Develop and execute corporate volunteer engagement strategies that connect employees with state and local offices for meaningful volunteer opportunities, matching corporate and employee interest with local office needs.

Expectations:
The Corporate Partnerships Director will:
 

• Manage and expand a portfolio comprising 45-60 corporate donors and partners capable of granting $25,000 - $500,000+.
• Regularly conduct purposeful donor visits, aiming for 45-60+ meaningful engagements annually, with a target of qualifying at least 24 prospects each year.
• Submit a minimum of three solicitations of $500,000+ and twelve solicitations ranging from $50,000 - $499,999 annually.

• Have a track record of creatively identifying and qualifying new donors and partners who for philanthropic gifts, commercial co-ventures (CCV), cause marketing, licensing agreements, brand partnerships, and sponsorship agreements.

• Contribute significantly to Philanthropy's success enterprise-wide, with occasional engagement in developing opportunities that strengthen and elevate field programs.

• Develop impactful proposals and letters of inquiry, compelling corporate pitches, concept papers, and research briefings.
• Conduct purposeful visits with corporate prospects that lead to invitations for proposals, financial support, and the opportunity to provide effective stewardship. Prepare leadership, volunteers, and staff for donor engagements, including pre-meeting planning and post-meeting follow-up.
• Collaborate with colleagues in philanthropy, finance, legal, marketing, state and program and national departments to construct proposal budgets, facilitate engagement opportunities, and oversee grant agreement deliverables and reporting.
• Fulfill additional responsibilities as assigned.

Experience, Education, and Skills Required:
 

• A minimum of nine years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with demonstrated expertise in devising strategies, securing substantial funding from, and effectively stewarding major institutional partners. A track record of consistently meeting or exceeding fundraising targets.
• Proficiency in crafting compelling written and verbal fundraising communications. The ability to convey intricate concepts through presentations, emails, and direct interactions. Substantial experience in composing complex grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and institutional reports.
• Proven and substantial history of cultivating and maintaining fruitful relationships with corporations.
• Experience conceiving and executing corporate engagement initiatives, encompassing networking events, volunteer participation activities, and more.
• Proficiency in utilizing fundraising databases, Microsoft Office applications, and online research tools.
• Self-driven, adept at managing multiple priorities, paying meticulous attention to detail and deadlines, and achieving success with minimal supervision.
• The capacity to excel both independently as a strong individual contributor and as an active team participant, introducing fresh concepts and opportunities.
• Genuine interest in and commitment to Trust for Public Land's mission.
• A willingness to adopt flexible work hours and occasional travel throughout the region is essential.

• Strong commitment to TPL’s shared values (Belonging, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Hope) to effectively work across the organization.

Compensation:
Trust for Public Land is a hybrid work environment, and this role will ideally be located near a Trust for Public Land office. As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for the Trust for Public Land’s comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation and sick pay plus holidays, a year end office closure, and a 403(b)-retirement plan, currently with up to a 7% company match. We offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience; the anticipated hiring range for this position is $101,000-115,000.

Trust for Public Land’s active goal is to be an inclusive and equitable place to work and build community. As the organization actively works to eliminate racial and other disparities it welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skillsets. We are open to the possibility that a great candidate for this job may not precisely meet all the above criteria; if you believe you are the right person for this job and can persuasively make that case, we encourage you to apply.