Head of Corporate Partnerships

Summary of Position: The Director of Strategic Partnerships is a leadership role critical to advancing the mission and vision of GOF. This person operates at the intersection of corporate engagement, investment strategy, and high-stakes stakeholder relations, representing GOF with authority and credibility in executive settings, conference environments, and partner boardrooms alike.
This role owns GOF’s corporate sponsorship and individual donor relationships, works with internal teams on strategic engagement around Watershed27, and serves as a trusted extension of the VP across the organization’s most consequential external relationships.
The ideal candidate is a polished, strategic, and relationship-driven professional who can walk into a room of C-suite executives, conservation investors, agriculture partners or conference stakeholders and command credibility on behalf of GOF, then return to the office and translate those conversations into tangible outcomes.
Secure sponsorship and investment commitments that support GOF’s annual revenue goals and contribute meaningfully to overall targets as determined by leadership and VP Strategic Partnerships.
Serve as the senior partnership lead for Watershed, driving sponsorship revenue and ensuring the conference’s corporate engagement strategy reflects GOF’s broader organizational positioning.
Collaborate with internal teams to align sponsorship timelines and fulfillment with overall conference planning.
Build and sustain relationships with senior leaders across corporate, agricultural, financial, and nonprofit sectors relevant to GOF’s mission.
Serve as a trusted external face of the Strategic Partnerships Division, conveying GOF’s mission, programs, and value proposition with consistency and impact.
Attend and actively participate in relevant conferences, convenings, and industry events on behalf of GOF, including occasional evening, weekend, or travel commitments as needed.
Prepare executive briefings, partner presentations, and strategic communications materials that support high-level engagement.
Collaborate on department budget in coordination with VP of Strategic Partnerships and Director of Marketing.
Contribute to departmental goal-setting, tracking, and continuous improvement efforts.
Function as a senior extension of the VP of Strategic Partnerships, stepping in to represent, advance, and execute on divisional priorities across corporate and stakeholder contexts.
Provide strategic input on partnership opportunities, program alignment, and revenue positioning as a thought partner to the VP of Strategic Partnerships.
Coordinate with GOF’s grant writer and lobbyists as needed to ensure partnership, grant, and advocacy activities are mutually reinforcing and non-duplicative.
8+ years of experience in corporate partnerships, sponsorship, business development, or strategic relationship management, with a demonstrated track record at a senior level.

• Strategic thinker who can connect organizational priorities to partner interests and translate both into actionable partnership structures.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level presentation and proposal development.
• Highly self-directed with the ability to manage a complex portfolio of relationships and priorities without close supervision, including tracking prospects, commitments, follow-up activity, and stewardship obligations.
• Deep alignment with GOF’s mission and a genuine commitment to conservation, sustainability, or environmental impact.

Experience in conservation, environmental, agricultural, or natural resources sectors.
Familiarity with Iowa’s corporate, philanthropic, and agricultural landscape.
Existing network of corporate, financial, or conservation sector relationships relevant to GOF’s work.
Experience using CRM or donor database tools
The Great Outdoors Foundation offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, LTD, STD, Life, retirement contributions, and flexible working hours with paid time off and standard holidays.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to achieve the essential job results.