Managing Director of Corporate Relations

Ducks Unlimited, Inc.; Cordova (TN); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health insurance

3 weeks paid vacation

401(k) with employer match

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Ducks Unlimited, Inc. is seeking a Managing Director of Corporate Relations to lead the national corporate engagement strategy from the Memphis headquarters. The role collaborates with volunteers, partners, retailers, and sponsors to expand visibility, revenue, and conservation impact.

You will oversee licensing, affinity marketing, promotions, and partner stewardship while guiding cross-functional teams and ensuring mission-aligned growth across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, communications, nonprofit management, or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in corporate relations, business development, brand partnerships, sponsorship sales, or similar revenue development role.
• Proven success in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, securing, and stewarding complex corporate partnerships, sponsorships, or contracts.
• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, relationship-building, and travel flexibility, including overnight travel and non-traditional hours as needed.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive national corporate relations strategy that aligns with DU’s national objectives, advances an aggressive and relevant conservation mission, and leverages coordinated internal and external partnerships to expand reach, revenue, influence, and conservation impact.
• Grow and coordinate DU’s brand awareness and partnership opportunities through sponsorships, licensing, promotions, retail relations, cause-related marketing, and related corporate programs, ensuring every extension of the brand is consistent, unified, and mission-aligned.
• Cultivate, structure, and steward substantial, multi-layered relationships with corporate partners, community organizations, industry leaders, volunteers, and internal stakeholders that strengthen DU’s brand presence, expand public engagement, and help shape strategic direction as opportunities evolve.
• Lead, mentor, and coordinate professional staff and cross-functional teams to ensure corporate engagement, licensing, sponsorship, retail, promotional, and partner stewardship initiatives operate as integrated extensions of DU’s brand and deliver measurable mission value.
• Partner closely with the Sr. Advisory Vice President of Corporate Relations and provide strategic guidance to the volunteer Corporate Relations Committee, ensuring volunteer leadership, corporate engagement priorities, and national relationship strategies are aligned with DU’s broader mission and revenue objectives.

Skills

Relationship-building

Communication

Writing

Presentation

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Travel flexibility

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, communications, nonprofit management, or related field

Master’s degree in business, marketing, communications, nonprofit management, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Power BI

CRM systems (Blackbaud CRM preferred)

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Managing Director of Corporate Relations

Full-Time, Regular FULL TIME Memphis, TN, US

Managing Director of Corporate Relations

Ducks Unlimited National Headquarters - Memphis, TN

Ducks Unlimited, Inc., the continent’s leader in waterfowl and wetlands conservation, seeks a Managing Director of Corporate Relations to lead national corporate engagement strategy and strengthen DU’s brand through organization-wide partnerships. Working with internal teams, volunteers, corporate partners, retailers, licensees, sponsors, and other stakeholders, this role will coordinate corporate partnerships, sponsorships, licensing, affinity marketing, national promotions, retail relations, cause-related marketing, and partner stewardship. The Managing Director will leverage DU’s trusted brand to expand visibility, revenue, influence, and conservation impact while helping shape strategic direction as opportunities evolve.

This position reports to the National Director of Corporate and Foundation Partnerships and is expected to reside in Memphis, TN, the site of Ducks Unlimited National Headquarters.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, communications, nonprofit management, or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in corporate relations, business development, brand partnerships, sponsorship sales, or similar revenue development role.
• Proven success in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, securing, and stewarding complex corporate partnerships, sponsorships, or contracts.
• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, relationship-building, and travel flexibility, including overnight travel and non-traditional hours as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in business, marketing, communications, nonprofit management, or related field.
• Experience in conservation, outdoor recreation, nonprofit fundraising, or a mission-driven organization.
• Familiarity with brand management, product development/distribution, trademark licensing, retail relations, sponsorship sales, and corporate culture.
• Experience leading teams, coordinating cross-functional initiatives, managing budgets, and using Microsoft Office, Power BI, and CRM systems; Blackbaud CRM preferred.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive national corporate relations strategy that aligns with DU’s national objectives, advances an aggressive and relevant conservation mission, and leverages coordinated internal and external partnerships to expand reach, revenue, influence, and conservation impact.
• Grow and coordinate DU’s brand awareness and partnership opportunities through sponsorships, licensing, promotions, retail relations, cause-related marketing, and related corporate programs, ensuring every extension of the brand is consistent, unified, and mission-aligned.
• Cultivate, structure, and steward substantial, multi-layered relationships with corporate partners, community organizations, industry leaders, volunteers, and internal stakeholders that strengthen DU’s brand presence, expand public engagement, and help shape strategic direction as opportunities evolve.
• Lead, mentor, and coordinate professional staff and cross-functional teams to ensure corporate engagement, licensing, sponsorship, retail, promotional, and partner stewardship initiatives operate as integrated extensions of DU’s brand and deliver measurable mission value.
• Partner closely with the Sr. Advisory Vice President of Corporate Relations and provide strategic guidance to the volunteer Corporate Relations Committee, ensuring volunteer leadership, corporate engagement priorities, and national relationship strategies are aligned with DU’s broader mission and revenue objectives.

Skills:

• Relationship-building, communication, writing, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Strategic thinking and analytical ability to assess market trends, partner objectives, stakeholder feedback, and revenue opportunities.
• Leadership, collaboration, sound judgment, attention to detail, deadline management, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of conservation values, outdoor traditions, corporate partnerships, sponsorship sales, product development, CRM systems, and corporate culture.

Benefits/Salary: Salary will be based on experience. DU offers an exceptional benefit package, including comprehensive group medical, prescription, dental and vision insurance, including spouse and dependent coverage; three weeks paid vacation, paid sick leave, and ten paid holidays; 401(k) plan (including partial employer match); and tuition reimbursement.

DUCKS UNLIMITED, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, military status, disability, age, or genetic information, except where age or gender is a bona fide occupational qualification as allowed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 or over), disability (physical, mental or visual), genetic information, marital status (including registered domestic partnership status), military and veteran status, immigration status, or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.