Job Description

To be considered for the position, please include a cover letter and resume.

NATURE OF WORK:

The Corporate Relations Manager (CRM) is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and securing new corporate partnerships and sponsorships to further the mission of the VFW Foundation. This strategic, externally focused position involves fostering high-level relationships with corporate executives, aligning their philanthropic goals with Foundation initiatives, and supporting sustainable revenue growth. The Corporate Relations Manager collaborates closely with internal teams to develop customized proposals and manages a dynamic pipeline of corporate prospects to achieve annual revenue objectives.


This role is essential to advancing the Foundation's strategic priorities for corporate engagement and ensuring consistent revenue growth across programs, campaigns, and signature events such as the VFW National Convention and corporate sponsorship initiatives. Additionally, the Corporate Relations Manager reports to the Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations and partners with the Corporate Accounts Manager (CAM) to provide seamless continuity from initial cultivation through to partnership fulfillment.


The CRM serves as the lead strategist for prospect identification and cultivation, responsible for securing new corporate partners and then coordinating with the CAM for long-term stewardship and renewal.


This position drives proactive engagement through outreach campaigns, targeted prospect research, and proposal development to expand corporate revenue channels.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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Corporate Partnership Development:

Lead strategic outreach to prospective corporate donors to secure sponsorships, cause-marketing, and co-branded campaigns that elevate the Foundation's visibility and impact. Develop and execute corporate development strategies to secure multi-year and multi-channel partnerships. Conduct detailed research on prospective sponsors, identifying alignment with Foundation goals, and qualifying them for engagement. Build and maintain relationships with senior executives, CSR officers, and corporate foundations. Prepare customized proposals, pitch decks, and activation plans that reflect corporate priorities and brand goals. Represent the Foundation at key events (philanthropic, industry, veteran-related) to build relationships and expand influence. Establish and maintain quarterly outreach benchmarks and manage a robust pipeline ensuring continuous prospect generation.

Collaboration and Relationship Management:

Collaborate with the Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations to align outreach with Foundation-wide priorities. Work closely with the Corporate Accounts Manager to transition secured partners into long-term, high-value accounts. Track outreach, meeting follow-ups, and proposal submissions through the Foundation's CRM system. Coordinate regular pipeline and partnership reviews with the CAM, Director, and Marketing team to align messaging, sponsorship deliverables, and recognition schedules. Collaborate with the CAM to identify cross-sell or upsell opportunities among existing partners. Work with the Communications team to measure post-campaign visibility and provide data-driven reports on ROI for partners.

Reporting and Analytics:

Maintain regular communication with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment of corporate strategies and outcomes. Provide quarterly and ad-hoc performance reports to the Director, detailing outreach outcomes, partnership ROI, and recommendations for growth.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Bachelor's degree in business, nonprofit management, communications, or related area (Master's a plus). Relevant experience may substitute for a degree. 5-7 years of demonstrated success in corporate fundraising, sponsorship sales, or business development. Proven ability to close five- and six-figure sponsorships or philanthropic gifts. Strong communication, negotiation, and executive presence. Familiarity with CSR trends, corporate foundation giving, and sponsorship valuation strategies. Proficiency in CRM systems and Microsoft Office Suite; experience with Salesforce or Bloomerang a plus. Passion for the mission of supporting veterans, service members, and their families. Strong analytical and presentation skills, including ability to build business cases that demonstrate ROI for corporate partners. Experience leveraging digital prospecting and market-intelligence tools (e.g., LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Candid, Winmo) to identify and qualify corporate leads.

SCOPE OF POSITION:

The position is responsible for cultivating and securing new corporate partnerships to advance the organization's mission and revenue goals. This includes qualifying new corporate prospects on a regular basis, maintaining a strong proposal-to-partnership conversion rate, and reducing the average time-to-close for new sponsorships. The incumbent drives revenue generation by achieving a 15-20% year-over-year increase in corporate support and securing multi-year or multi-channel agreements that enhance organizational stability and long-term impact. The role strengthens corporate relationships through consistent executive-level engagement, active participation in cultivation events, and an improved conversion rate from introductory meetings to formal proposals. Additionally, the position oversees the launch and execution of cause-marketing and activation campaigns, ensuring timely delivery of performance and ROI reports within 30 days and maintaining high partner satisfaction following each activation. Internally, the position ensures accurate and timely CRM documentation of all proposals, meetings, and follow-ups; coordinates partner transitions to the Corporate Account Management (CAM) team within established timelines; and contributes to a strong culture of collaboration through quarterly cross-functional reviews with development, marketing, and program teams.


Reports to VFW Foundation Director, Corporate & Foundation Relations and is Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) exempt.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Performance-based, team-oriented office environment. Daily research, analysis, and communications via computer, internet, and telephone. Limited out-of-office travel is required to facilitate corporate visits, events, and presentations. Must have and maintain a valid driver's license.

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES

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Lead proactive outreach to prospective corporate donors and sponsors to secure high-impact partnerships, sponsorships, and cause-marketing campaigns that elevate the Foundation's visibility and mission reach. Develop and execute strategic corporate development plans designed to secure multi-year and multi-channel commitments. Conduct in-depth research to identify and qualify potential partners whose corporate social responsibility (CSR) priorities align with Foundation goals. Prepare and deliver customized proposals, pitch materials, and activation plans tailored to partner objectives, and represent the Foundation at philanthropic, industry, and veteran-related events to strengthen relationships and expand the Foundation's network of corporate supporters. Build and sustain strong relationships with senior executives, CSR leaders, and corporate foundations to advance engagement and long-term value. Collaborate closely with the Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations to ensure that all outreach aligns with Foundation-wide priorities and initiatives. Partner with the Corporate Accounts Manager (CAM) to ensure seamless transitions from cultivation to account management, supporting renewal and upsell opportunities. Coordinate regular partnership and pipeline reviews with the CAM, Director, and Marketing team to align messaging, sponsorship deliverables, and recognition schedules. Work collaboratively with internal teams to design and execute cause-marketing and co-branded campaigns that achieve measurable visibility and impact for both the Foundation and its partners. Support the Communications team in evaluating post-campaign outcomes, tracking visibility metrics, and producing timely, data-driven ROI reports for corporate partners. Ensure that all campaign activities reflect brand integrity, sponsor expectations, and mission alignment. Manage and monitor the corporate partnership pipeline using the Foundation's CRM system, maintaining accurate and timely records of all outreach, meetings, proposals, and follow-ups. Establish and meet quarterly outreach benchmarks to ensure consistent prospect generation and pipeline growth. Provide quarterly and ad-hoc performance reports to the Director, detailing partnership results, campaign ROI, and recommendations for continuous improvement and revenue growth. Represent the Foundation with professionalism and purpose at corporate, community, and veteran-related events, strengthening the organization's reputation and expanding opportunities for collaboration. Foster a culture of transparency and shared success by maintaining consistent communication with internal stakeholders and aligning all partnership strategies with the Foundation's broader development and engagement goals.

The above duties are general in nature and are not intended to reflect all the duties which may be required of the incumbent.


If not already listed as a requirement for the position, all employees (if eligible) are encouraged to become members of the VFW. If ineligible for VFW membership, employees (if eligible) are encouraged to join the VFW Auxiliary. Additionally, all employees are encouraged to actively promote the benefits of membership into the VFW and VFW Auxiliary to others that qualify.

The VFW Foundation offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, along with a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.


Some relocation allowance may be available.