Director, Partner Relations

NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors); Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

NACD, based in Arlington, VA, seeks a Director of Partner Relations to lead the Partner Relations Team and drive NACD’s strategic partnerships. You will shepherd relationships, contracts and deliverables, and generate new income streams while enhancing member value and engagement.

You will collaborate with leadership to maximize revenue, align with cross-functional teams, and oversee high-impact initiatives like the NACD Directorship 100 Gala.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree preferred; ten years of progressive leadership in sales or fundraising.
• Strong governance knowledge and ability to motivate cross-functional teams.
• Excellent client relations, oral and written communication, and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead Partner Relations to move initiatives from conversation to action with external partners.
• Drive strategic engagement with contracted partners and expand alliances.
• Collaborate across NACD departments to align strategy and product offerings.
• Manage partner sponsorships, events, and marketing communications.
• Travel to lead partner and NACD program events as needed.

Skills

Business development

Relationship management

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic planning

Education

MBA

MS

MA

JD

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

This is a "hybrid" role. The selected candidate will work in NACD's Arlington, VA office (Tuesdays-Thursdays) on a weekly basis.

Summary

The Director, Partner Relations, leads the Partner Relations Team and is responsible for the movement of NACD’s strategic relationships from conversation to action. Working closely with NACD leadership, the Director, Partner Relations, deliver results that will increase NACD’s reach, oversee relationships, contracts and deliverables associated with NACD’s partnerships, advertising and corporate sales, generate new income streams for NACD; enhance member impact in a significant way, and sustain important external relationships over time for the benefit of NACD’s mission. The Director, Partner Relations, will also play a pivotal role in leading/managing high-impact initiatives with cross-functional stakeholders such as the NACD Directorship 100 Gala to ensure they reflect the best in governance and to leverage awardees as possible strategic assets for the organization. The Director will lead the team in deciding how, when and who will implement the contractual program and events elements to ensure contract fulfillment, maximize revenue generation and maximize member engagement and member value. This will ensure better management of partners and Partnership team programs. Works closely with Chief Financial Officer, the Partnership team, Partners, vendors, and key leaders within NACD to ensure that all contracted partner deliverables are developed and executed across the NACD team on time and to clients’ quality expectations. The Director also works closely with all NACD departments to ensure strategic alignment – especially Content, Education, Events, Accounting, and Marketing.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• As a business development lead for both traditional and non-traditional partnerships, works with external partners and potential partners to retain and develop relationships and move projects from conversation to action, working cross-functionally to enlist the right individuals and teams at the right time and with the least impact on business operations. Collaborates to formulate plans that will enhance NACD’s reach, reputation, member benefits and bottom line, setting up and actualizing strategic alliances.


• Drive high-quality, strategic engagement with NACD’s traditional contracted partners’ senior leadership and deepen the relationships beyond current points of contact.


• Work collaboratively across all NACD departments to ensure alignment with NACD’s strategy and product offerings.


• Reviews NACD’s current portfolio of non-traditional relationships to mine opportunities and revive (if needed) or accelerate planning of joint plans. Supports traditional partnerships as may be needed to involve them in new plans and products.


• Maintains and builds relationships to deepen awareness of NACD and its work. Supports the work of NACD leadership to create, sustain, and optimize alliances to secure a long-term benefit to NACD and/or its chapters.


• Works with chapters and the Chapter Team, as needed, to facilitate the development or rollout of initiatives or products.


• Leads delivery of events for Partners and NACD members.


• Manages Partner revenue tracking with Accounting.


• Maintains Partner relationships at current or higher levels of investment.


• Reviews NACD’s current portfolio of non-traditional relationships to mine opportunities and revive (if needed) or accelerate planning of joint plans. Supports traditional partnerships as may be needed to involve them in new plans and products.


• Supports volume sales of non-member products to service organization partners.


• Actively manages an inventory of partnership opportunities and ensures alignment with NACD’s cross-functional teams.


• Efficiently compiles and assigns to Partnership teams members all contractual obligations in a manner that ensures proper execution.


• Manages systems to compile and monitor progress of NACD requirements from partners for event communications and programming materials – including, but not limited to, print ads, company descriptions, attendees and speaker biographies.


• Manages marketing and registration creation for NACD Partner team led events.


• Assists in developing partner sponsorship presentations, outlines, and partner briefing materials for the Partner Relations Team and Senior Staff.


• Identifies and leads recurring meetings with Partners to ensure excellent relations.


• Travel to and lead Partner and NACD program events as needed.


• In partnership with the COO, CFO and others, collaborates on the development of new products, pricing strategies, and member benefits.


• Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief Financial Officer.

Education/Qualifications

An advanced degree (MBA, MS, MA, JD) is preferred but not required. Must have at least ten years of progressive leadership experience in a sales or fundraising environment. Demonstrated understanding of corporate governance and board of directors issues. Demonstrated project management experience, with a track record of providing guidance and support to C-suite/board members as well as internal colleagues and team members. Must possess excellent client relations skills, including the ability to listen to, interpret and implement programs that meet customers’ expectations. Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact in a professional manner with senior-level executives. Must have excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to collaborate cross-functionally to move products and projects to completion with creativity and flexibility. Candidate must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Must be extremely organized and focused on driving sales success and client projects through to fruition in a fast-paced work environment.

This position description summarizes the primary duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks required to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

The salary/hourly rate for this position is $165,000-$185,000. Compensation is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to the salary/hourly rate, this role is eligible for an annual incentive bonus with a target range of $50,000-$65,000. Actual bonus payouts are not guaranteed and depend on individual performance, company performance and plan terms.