Director of Corporate Partnerships

Coral Gardeners; California; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Coral Gardeners in California is seeking a Director of Partnerships to lead national expansion and manage the European portfolio from a flexible, freelance, full-time base. This role requires a strategic, entrepreneurial mindset and a robust network of corporate contacts.

You will own the full partnership cycle, from identifying prospects and pitching to securing multi‑year sponsorships, onboarding partners, and driving revenue growth while aligning with Coral Gardeners’ mission of ocean

Qualifications

• 5+ years in corporate partnerships, BD, or fundraising in NGO, sustainability, or social‑impact org.
• Established relationships with US corporate decision-makers; European exposure is a strong asset.
• Proven ability to secure six-figure partnerships or sponsorships (USD 500,000+).
• Strategic thinker with data-informed growth strategies and strong negotiation skills.
• Excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the U.S. market expansion and oversee the European partnerships.
• Identify, pitch, and secure multi-year sponsorships and strategic alliances.
• Onboard, activate, report, and track KPIs with cross-functional teams.
• Renewals, upgrades, and long-term growth opportunities.
• Supervise a Partnerships Associate and coordinate with CEO and teams.

Skills

Partnerships

Business development

Fundraising

Strategic thinking

Communication

Job description

Coral Gardeners is a dynamic global movement founded by passionate surfers and freedivers in Mo’orea, French Polynesia, to restore coral reefs and protect ocean ecosystems. Since 2017, we’ve grown into an international collective, empowering local communities and driving innovative solutions to save coral reefs.

With over 100,000 corals planted and millions of people engaged globally, we are committed to scaling our efforts to plant one million corals and ensure a sustainable future for our oceans.

Our work is powered by partnerships with some of the world’s most iconic brands—including Rolex, Prada, National Geographic, Versace, and Kenzo—which fund reef restoration at scale and carry our message to a global audience.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and well-connected Director of Partnerships to lead our expansion in the U.S. market and take ownership of our existing European portfolio.

This role is ideal for a strategic, entrepreneurial individual with a strong network of corporate contacts or an existing portfolio of brand partnerships. You will be responsible for developing, managing, and growing partnerships that align with Coral Gardeners’ mission and values: excellence, innovation, and environmental sustainability.

You will own the full partnership cycle: identifying and securing new partners, then managing relationships once agreements are signed to ensure partner satisfaction, retention, and renewal.

This is a freelance, full-time position based in California. Frequent travel to Mo’orea, French Polynesia—our headquarters is expected to strengthen collaboration with our core team, alongside partner travel in the U.S. and Europe.

Key Responsibilities

1. Market Development — U.S.

• Lead the expansion of Coral Gardeners’ corporate partnerships across the United States, focusing on high-impact collaborations with purpose-driven brands.
• Identify and target potential partners, develop and deliver compelling pitches, and lead negotiations through to signature.
• Ensure that each partnership aligns with Coral Gardeners’ values, strategic objectives, and partnership guidelines.
• Take ownership of Coral Gardeners’ existing European partnerships, ensuring continuity of relationships and delivery.
• Grow the European portfolio through new acquisitions, applying the same standards of strategic fit as in the U.S.
• Maintain regular and proactive contact with European partners across time zones.

3. Partnership Acquisition & Revenue Growth

• Identify, pitch, and secure new multi-year sponsorships and strategic alliances.
• Drive significant revenue through corporate contributions, ensuring that all partnerships contribute meaningfully to Coral Gardeners’ mission.
• Validate all new leads before outreach to ensure strategic alignment with Coral Gardeners’ vision and objectives.

4. Partner Onboarding & Relationship Management

• Organize a transition meeting, either internally or with the partner, to clarify objectives, deliverables, and expectations.
• Act as the main point of contact for partners and build trusted relationships with senior decision-makers.
• Manage the implementation of commitments—including communications, activations, events, reports, and visual deliverables—in coordination with internal teams.
• Track deadlines and coordinate required actions with the communications, operations, and field teams.
• Listen to partner needs and respond quickly to issues or adjustments, ensuring an exceptional experience at every stage of the collaboration.

5. Retention & Renewal

• Take the lead on partnership renewals and upgrades.
• Build trust and engagement to foster long‑term commitments.
• Proactively propose long‑term strategic developments and growth opportunities.
• Ensure proper execution of the KPIs defined for each partnership.
• Produce clear, well‑designed partnership reports aligned with Coral Gardeners’ brand image.
• Track partnership performance, provide actionable insights, and refine strategies to maximize engagement and funding outcomes.
• Work closely with the CEO and the Communications and Partnerships teams to design tailored proposals and activations.
• Supervise a Partnerships Associate, supporting both prospecting and the day‑to‑day execution of partnerships.
• Suggest improvements to processes, tools, and materials, and contribute to internal best practices for partnership management.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Experience: 5+ years in corporate partnerships, business development, or fundraising—ideally within an NGO, sustainability, or social‑impact organization.
• Network: Established relationships with, or proven access to, corporate decision-makers in the U.S. market; exposure to European brands is a strong asset.
• Results‑Driven: Demonstrated success in securing six‑figure partnerships or sponsorships valued at USD 500,000 or more.
• Strategic Thinker: Strong ability to develop data‑informed growth strategies and navigate complex negotiations.
• Communication: Exceptional communication skills.