Director of Corporate Partnerships

Who We Are

American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 8 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally-sound farming practices on millions of additional acres and supported thousands of farm families by improving farm viability and farmland access. Long a pioneering leader, AFT is now riding a new wave of growth, driven by agriculture’s most pressing needs and opportunities. 

Position Purpose

The Director of Corporate Partnerships is a key leadership role responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy to secure and manage corporate partnerships that significantly advance the organization's mission and revenue goals. This role oversees the Corporate Partnerships team, including a Senior Manager and Coordinator, and works cross-functionally to ensure successful partnership integration and impact.

Position Summary 

The Director of Corporate Partnerships provides strategic leadership and oversight for all aspects of corporate partnership development, including identifying, cultivating, securing, and stewarding a diverse portfolio of corporate partners. This role involves setting ambitious revenue targets, building a high-performing team, and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. The Director will work closely with other departments (e.g., programs, finance, and communications) to ensure alignment and maximize the impact of corporate partnerships.

Duties and responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive corporate partnership strategy aligned with the organization's overall strategic priorities.
• Set ambitious revenue goals and develop strategies to achieve them.
• Identify and prioritize key industry sectors and prospective corporate partners.
• Continue to advance tested corporate funding streams, including program sponsorships, the Brighter Future Fund, and the US Farmed Seal, while identifying promising new areas of support. 
• Stay abreast of industry trends and best practices in corporate partnership development.

Team Management

• Lead and mentor the Corporate Partnerships team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and high performance.
• Provide guidance and support to the Senior Manager and Coordinator in their respective roles.
• Oversee the development and implementation of individual team member goals and performance plans.

Partnership Development and Management

• Cultivate and manage relationships with a portfolio of high-level corporate partners.
• Oversee the identification, qualification, and cultivation of new corporate prospects.
• Lead the development and negotiation of complex partnership agreements.
• Ensure effective stewardship and communication with existing partners.
• Track and analyze partnership performance, providing regular reports to leadership.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with AFT leadership and Program teams to identify partnership opportunities that support programmatic goals.
• Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to develop effective partnership activation plans and materials.
• Partner with the Development team to integrate corporate partnerships into the overall fundraising strategy.
   

• 7+ years’ experience in corporate partnership development and management, with a proven track record of success in securing and managing high-level partnerships.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and experience in managing and mentoring a team.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning abilities.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence C-suite executives.
• Deep understanding of corporate social responsibility and cause-related marketing trends.
• Experience in developing and managing budgets.
• Knowledg