Partnership Activation Manager

Job Description

Partnership Activation Manager

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First Responders Children’s Foundation

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Location: Hybrid (high preference for NYC metro area)

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Reports to: Sr. Vice President of Development

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Salary range: $80-$100k

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Travel: 30 to 40% travel to partner meetings, events, and activations

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About First Responders Children’s Foundation

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First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF) is a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting the children and families of first responders. Through scholarships, mental health services, emergency assistance, and community programs, we help families when they need us most and strengthen connections between first responders and the communities they serve.

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About the Role

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The Partnership Activation Manager turns corporate partnerships into meaningful action, with a particular focus on engaging franchise networks. This person manages day-to-day partner relationships and develops campaigns, resources, and communications that make it easy for franchise owners and local teams to participate, raise funds, and connect with FRCF’s mission.

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The manager also supports new partnership development and helps steward, renew, and expand existing relationships. Working with corporate headquarters, franchise leadership, and FRCF colleagues, this person translates partnership commitments into well-executed campaigns with measurable fundraising and community impact.

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This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building relationships, organizing multiple projects, and helping partners move from an initial idea to successful execution.

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Key Responsibilities:

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Partner Activation and Franchise Engagement

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• Manage a portfolio of assigned corporate and franchise partners, serving as the primary day-to-day contact for activation planning, campaign support, and issue resolution.
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• Develop annual and seasonal activation calendars that align partner priorities with FRCF campaigns, programs, and events.
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• Create and execute activation plans defining objectives, audiences, responsibilities, deliverables, timelines, budgets, required approvals, and success measures.
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• Lead campaign kickoffs and manage schedules, action items, approvals, and fulfillment of partner benefits across FRCF staff, partners, vendors, and other stakeholders.Increase franchise participation through targeted outreach and practical support for franchise owners, operators, and regional leaders.
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• Create activation playbooks, campaign toolkits, and fundraising resources that help local teams participate successfully.
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• Coordinate partner webinars and training sessions to introduce campaigns, answer questions, and share successful approaches.
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Partnership Development

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• Support the development and implementation of FRCF’s cause-marketing and partnership strategy.
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• Research prospective partners and identify opportunities that align with FRCF’s mission, fundraising priorities, and program needs.Identify potential introductions through FRCF’s board, leadership, donors, volunteers, and existing network, coordinating access and outreach with the appropriate FRCF leaders.
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• Develop concept briefs, sponsorship packages, presentations, and customized proposals, and conduct prospect outreach and follow-up in coordination with leadership.
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• Support negotiations concerning partnership objectives, commitments, benefits, activation requirements, timelines, and reporting expectations.
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• Obtain appropriate internal approval before communicating final partnership commitments or agreements.
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Partner Stewardship and Renewal

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• Build relationships with corporate headquarters and franchise leadership through regular conversations about priorities, feedback, and future opportunities.
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• Support franchise advisory councils and coordinate executive meetings, including agendas, briefing materials, and follow-up actions.
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• Manage partner acknowledgment and recognition, celebrating franchise participation, outstanding results, and creative local activations.
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• Prepare quarterly business reviews and partner impact reports that connect campaign results with the children and families supported by FRCF.
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• Identify and recommend opportunities to renew, expand, or deepen successful partnerships.Attend key partner meetings, conferences, and events to strengthen relationships and support activations.
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Performance Measurement and Reporting

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• Track franchise participation by region, fundraising results, and other agreed-upon measures of success.
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• Monitor campaign performance and recommend adjustments to improve participation and results.
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• Provide internal progress reports covering prospective partnerships, active campaigns, challenges, decisions needed, and next steps.
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• Conduct post-activation reviews to document results, partner feedback, lessons learned, and recommendations for future campaigns.
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• Maintain accurate records of contacts, meetings, proposals, commitments, deliverables, deadlines, and follow-up activities in FRCF’s designated systems.
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Internal Collaboration

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• Work with Communications and Marketing to develop campaign messaging and creative assets and coordinate social media, email, and promotional opportunities.
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• Partner with Programs to identify meaningful impact stories and connect activations with relevant opportunities to support first responder families.
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• Coordinate with Events to integrate partner participation into FRCF events and other engagement opportunities.
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• Work with Finance on activation budgets, revenue reconciliation, and accurate fundraising reports.
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Qualifications

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• Approximately 3–5 years of relevant experience in partnership management, account management, franchise engagement, cause marketing, fundraising, or a related field.
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• Experience working with franchise networks, corporate partners, or organizations with multiple locations is strongly preferred.
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• Demonstrated ability to manage relationships and deliver campaigns or projects involving multiple stakeholders.
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• Experience developing proposals, presentations, sponsorship materials, or partner communications.
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• Strong project management skills, with the ability to organize competing priorities, manage details, and meet tight deadlines.
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• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
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• Comfort using data to assess participation, report results, and recommend improvements.
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• Proficiency with CRM systems, spreadsheets, presentation software, and project management tools.
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• Sound judgment in managing partner expectations, coordinating internal approvals, and representing an organization professionally.
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• Ability to work independently while collaborating closely across departments.
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• Willingness and ability to travel (30% to 40% of the time).
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• A commitment to FRCF’s mission and the children and families of first responders.
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Working at FRCF

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At FRCF, we help each other, work hard, and make room for fun and laughter. We celebrate successes and value colleagues who are flexible, entrepreneurial, forward-thinking, and willing to pitch in. The person who thrives in this role takes initiative, follows through, and brings a thoughtful, service-oriented approach to supporting partners and teammates.

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How to Apply

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Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter describing your relevant experience and interest in FRCF’s mission to: View email address on ziprecruiter.com

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First Responders Children’s Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences.