Director of Strategic Partnerships

Director of Strategic Partnerships is an entrepreneurial position within the Society for Science (Society) that will continue a multimillion-dollar expansion of our corporate sponsorships and take on major projects related to key organizational partnerships, especially in regards to the International Science and Engineering Fair. 

The Society is most well-known for the award-winning magazine, Science News and our world class science research competitions: Regeneron Science Talent Search, International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) and the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge. Most recently, and for the past nine years, we have focused more than $4 million annually in a suite of Outreach and Equity programming. Our efforts in this area impact millions of students at thousands of schools and education programs in all 50 states and globally. 

Since 1942, the Society has benefited from long-term well-established corporate partnerships (Broadcom, Intel, Regeneron, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Westinghouse) to support our competitions. Leveraging the Society’s success with large partnerships, this position will implement a multitiered sponsorship model for ISEF, a $11M+ annual project with more than $5M already secured for 2024. 

This is an exempt position reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer. This person will work closely with the Advancement Department and the President/CEO. 

Job Responsibilities

  • Lead the multitiered sponsorship model for ISEF, building to raise $6M annually. 
  • Lead fundraising for the Society’s Special Awards Organization Program at ISEF, which has grown to include 48 organizations in 2023 giving out around $8M in awards annually. 
  • Create and implement annual and long-term strategies for increasing and sustaining our base of sponsorship support for ISEF.
  • Seek out new partnerships to benefit all of the Society’s programs. Think outside the box about ways to advance the Society’s mission.
  • Represent the Society at meetings and various other settings throughout the United States in order to ensure productive relationships are built and sustained among both potential and current funders.
  • Lead effective contract negotiations with senior-level executives. 
  • Work with Society executive leadership, design and program staff to create top notch sponsorship packages and proposals to funding prospects.
  • Ensure productive relationships are built and sustained among potential sponsors.
  • Create and manage a new Institutional Giving Specialist position to provide additional support to expand this area of the Society’s work. 
  • Manage data for portfolio of ISEF funders and work closely with Director of Advancement Operations in developing dashboards and reports on status of funders in portfolio. 
  • Work across departments with Society colleagues to improve systems and procedures to ensure all sponsorship contracts and reporting requirements are followed.
  • Other responsibilities as developed over time. 

Qualifications

Job Specific

  • Successful leader with an ability to execute in a fast-paced environment, prioritize and drive results.
  • Entrepreneurial with a self-starting personality; ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
  • Significant experience securing funding (6-figure plus) from corporate CSR departments through sponsorships and grants. 
  • Experience managing contracts for institutional support including with corporations, associations and government agencies. 
  • Excellent and effective communication skills, especially regarding in-person and video presentations.
  • Excellent analytical, reasoning and problem-solving skills with attention to detail and accuracy. 
  • Ability to handle confidential information with care. 
  • Understanding and affinity for the core values of the Society. 

Required qualification for all Society positions

  • Affinity for the mission of the Society for Science.
  • Exceptional communications skills, both written and verbal.
  • Ability to develop rapport with colleagues and external clients.

Supervisory Responsibility

This employee will supervise one employee.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee usually works in an office setting. Our office is located near the Dupont Circle and Farragut North Metro stations. Due to the pandemic, the Society is operating on a hybrid work model. 

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Position Type and Expected Hours

This is a full-time, exempt position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday during normal office hours of the Society. Anticipate about 25 percent travel for this role, including to Society’s science competitions, to meet with corporate supporters and Society partners, attend events and trainings, etc. 

Required Education and Experience

  • 5-7 years of relevant experience
  • BA degree required, Masters preferred.

How to Apply

Submit a professional resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

Please apply through Applicant Pro: https://www.applicantpro.com/openings/societyforscience/jobs/2943908-560473 

Additional Information 

Society for Science has mandated the COVID-19 vaccine for employees, as applicable. Exceptions to the vaccine requirement may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. 

EEO Statement

The Society is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Society for Science & the Public is committed to equal employment opportunity.  In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, the Society does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis, including but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identify or expression, ancestry, national origin, disability, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, age and/or any other categories protected by the laws of the United States or the District of Columbia.

Other Duties 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover every duty, responsibility and activity that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.