Partnerships Manager

Water Mission International; United States; Remote; USD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Water Mission International is seeking a Partnerships Manager to cultivate and steward relationships with mid-level financial partners, enhancing their mission of providing safe water solutions worldwide. The role includes managing partner engagement strategies and requires a strong commitment to Christian values and community service.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of relationship development or engagement experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfort managing a large partner portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a portfolio of approximately 850 mid-level partners.
• Build and cultivate lasting relationships with individuals and organizations.
• Implement a strategic communication and engagement plan for each partner.

Skills

Communication

Relationship Development

Emotional Intelligence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or Public Relations

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Job description

Water Mission is a Christian engineering nonprofit that builds safe water solutions for people in developing countries, refugee camps, and disaster areas. Since 2001, Water Mission has served more than8million people in 60countries, sharing safe water and the message of God’s love. Working at Water Mission is as much a calling as it is a career, and we are searching for people with the courage, passion, and drive to help us change the world. Read more about our Statement of Faith and Our Christian Mission .

What is the Opportunity?

The Partnerships Manager plays a critical role in advancing Water Mission’s vision by cultivating and stewarding long-term, mission-aligned relationships with current and prospective mid-level partners. Serving as a key connector between the ministry and its supporters, this individual shares the transformational work God is doing through Water Mission and invites others into meaningful and generous financial partnerships.

The Partnerships Manager plays a critical role in advancing Water Mission’s vision by cultivating and stewarding long-term, mission-aligned relationships with current and prospective mid-level partners. Serving as a key connector between the ministry and its supporters, this individual shares the transformational work God is doing through Water Mission and invites others into meaningful and generous financial partnerships.

The Partnerships Manager is responsible for developing and managing a portfolio of partners through personalized engagement strategies, including phone calls, emails, handwritten notes, ministry updates, local visits, and tours. The role includes identifying and qualifying unassigned prospects from the partner database, conducting research to assess major giving potential, and collaborating with Partnerships Directors to ensure effective relationship transitions.

This is a full-time position that reports to the Senior Partnerships Manager and may be performed remotely.

A successful Partnerships Manager will:

Cultivate and Steward Partner Relationships

• Develop and manage a portfolio of approximately 850 mid-level partners, giving between $1,000 and $10,000 annually.
• Proactively find andidentify unassigned prospective partners and steward them through a thoughtful partner journey; moving them from initial engagement to deeper, long-term partnerships that may lead to major giving.
• Engage prospective and current partners through multiple channels, including phone calls, emails, handwritten notes, local visits, and ministry tours.
• Build and cultivate lasting relationships with individuals, families, small businesses, churches, and foundations through solicitation, researching prospective partners in the existing database, and seeking referrals.
• Implement a strategic communication and engagement plan for each partner, with personalized outreach and impact reporting.
• Maintain working knowledge of Water Mission’s impact, projects,activities and operations, as well as financial, global, and news-worthy issues to effectively communicate opportunities to partners.
• Coordinate closely withPartnerships Directors to transition high-capacity relationships to the appropriate level of engagement.
• Represent Water Mission at select events, both virtual and in-person.

Serve and Care for Partners

• Clearly and effectively communicate Water Mission’s purpose, programs, and global impact to partners and potential supporters.
• Encourage partners spiritually as appropriate, deepening their understanding of the eternal and immediate impact of their giving.
• Ensure timely and meaningful follow-up, gratitude, and impact reporting based on partner preferences and interests.
• Maintain detailed records of interactions and progress using Raiser’s Edge (Blackbaud) or other CRM tools.
• Provide regular reports to the Senior Manager, Investor Partnerships, and assist with ad hoc reporting needs.

General Duties

• Maintain high-level knowledge of Water Mission’s organizational objectives, programmatic strategies, projects, and activities. Stay informed of local, regional, national, and global news and issues to support the organization effectively.
• Support overall team objectives and contribute to a collaborative, Christ-centered culture.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.
• Meet or exceed established engagement and fundraising goals

Servant Leadership, Faith, and Ministry Alignment

• Maintain a vibrant and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Model servant leadership and a strong Christian witness in all interactions, with colleagues, partners, and the communities we serve.
• Participate in prayer and biblically based devotions during team gatherings.
• Demonstrate alignment with Water Mission’s Statement of Faith and core values of Love, Excellence, and Integrity .

What is Required?

• A personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in relationship development, partner engagement, or sales with a proven record of meeting goals.
• CFRE credential is a plus, but not required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate vision, impact, and invitation effectively.
• High degree of emotional intelligence and relational maturity.
• Comfortable managing a large portfolio and working independently in a remote environment.
• Proficiency in CRM software (Raiser’s Edge experience preferred).
• Ability to prioritize, multitask, and thrive in a dynamic setting.
• Availability for occasional evening or weekend work.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 10%.
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
• Reliable home internet connection suitable for video conferencing.
• This role requires a deep personal commitment to our mission of ending the global water crisis, and saving lives now and for eternity.