Senior Director, Corporate Relations

Oceana Inc•Washington, DC

5d•$175,000 - $185,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Oceana is an international advocacy organization focused on ocean conservation through science-based, campaign-driven policy work. The Senior Director, Corporate Relations leads the organization’s global corporate fundraising strategy and grows corporate support for campaigns worldwide. Reporting to the Vice President, Global Development, this leader sets the multi-year vision for corporate partnerships, personally manages top corporate relationships, and leads the corporate partnerships team in developing engagement strategies, activation opportunities, and a pipeline of new donors. The position oversees a $4–$7 million portfolio of current and prospective corporate partners. In collaboration with development and marketing communications teams in the United States and internationally, the Senior Director optimizes partner targeting, cultivation, execution, stewardship, and renewal to maximize financial, marketing, and mission value. The role sets global corporate fundraising standards and supports country offices in cultivating and stewarding partners in their markets. Corporate partners must meet Oceana’s Policy on Corporate Contributions. The Senior Director is the lead advisor on corporate and celebrity partnership risk, ensuring potential partners and activities account for stakeholders and avoid excessive or unnecessary risk to Oceana’s policy work and brand. The Senior Director directly supervises the Director, Global Corporate Partnerships, and oversees that director’s team of 1–3 staff. The role sets goals, coaches team members, supports their professional growth, and fosters trusting relationships. The position also participates in Development department planning and contributes to department-wide strategy as part of the development leadership team. The role is based in Washington, DC, on a hybrid schedule. Staff work from their assigned office Tuesday through Thursday and may work from home Monday and Friday with supervisor agreement. The position requires willingness to travel, attend fundraising events, and work outside normal business hours when necessary. The annual salary range is $175,000–$185,000. Applications are due November 11, 2026.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
10 or more years of progressive experience in corporate fundraising, corporate partnerships, cause marketing, business development, or related roles.
At least 5 years of experience managing teams.
Proven record of cultivating, securing, and renewing multi-year, multi-million-dollar corporate partnerships, sponsorships, and gifts.
Track record of personally managing a corporate portfolio of $5 million or more annually, with demonstrated year-over-year growth.
Strong existing corporate network and demonstrated frontline relationship-management success, including regular face-to-face cultivation and solicitation of senior corporate executives.
Experience managing a multi-million-dollar corporate portfolio, setting revenue goals, managing budgets, and preparing program and project budgets for proposals.
Ability to lead a team and communicate effectively in a matrixed work environment.
Strategic thinking and ability to develop and execute comprehensive, multi-year fundraising strategies.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, including the ability to translate complex information for varied audiences.
Ability to relate professionally and comfortably to Board members, corporate executives, donors at all levels, and staff.
Strong leadership and team-management skills, with a collaborative and inclusive approach and effective coaching techniques.
Ability to perform effectively under pressure and manage multiple time-sensitive priorities.
Ability to analyze and improve processes and workflows.
Entrepreneurial spirit, adaptability, and desire for continued learning.
Knowledge of and interest in environmental and ocean issues.
Willingness to travel, attend fundraising events, and work outside normal business hours when necessary.
Ability to exercise the listed competencies: Strategic Mindset, Drives Results, Builds Effective Teams, Customer Focus, Collaborates, Plans and Aligns, Manages Complexity, Cultivates Innovation, Situational Adaptability, Communicates Effectively, Ensures Accountability, Organizational Savvy, and Being Resilient.

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree or training in a related field.
Experience at an international organization.

Responsibilities

Develop, update, and execute a comprehensive multi-year global corporate relations strategy and annual plan, including standards for supporting corporate fundraising in Oceana’s country offices.
Set annual revenue goals and pipeline targets with the Vice President, Global Development; manage the corporate relations budget, forecasting, and fundraising expenses.
Identify and pursue corporate prospects, including multinational companies and corporate foundations, matching Oceana campaigns with funder interests.
Build diversified corporate revenue through cause marketing and licensing, event sponsorship, employee engagement and workplace giving, matching gifts, in-kind and pro-bono support, and corporate foundation grants.
Build an internal pipeline of fundable opportunities in collaboration with campaign, science, and country office staff; assess campaign funding potential and match campaigns with prospective partners.
Oversee responses to and evaluation of inbound corporate partnership inquiries.
Evaluate fundraising results against goals, identify efficiencies and improvements, and adjust strategy as needed.
Monitor industry news, research, competitive developments, and best practices related to nonprofits, corporate sustainability, and cause marketing.
Personally manage a portfolio of high-value corporate partners and prospects, leading cultivation, solicitation, negotiation, and renewal.
Oversee proposal strategy, program budgets, and preparation of tailored proposals, presentations, and reports.
Engage the CEO, senior leadership, Board members, and other supporters in corporate cultivation and solicitation as appropriate.
Build and leverage relationships with corporate leaders, industry associations, trade bodies, and diplomatic representatives across Oceana’s markets.
Represent Oceana at corporate sustainability and industry conferences and convenings to raise visibility and identify prospective partners.
Identify corporate executives who may be candidates for individual major gifts, Oceana Leadership Council membership, or Advisory Board service, and coordinate their cultivation with major gifts colleagues.
Oversee partner stewardship and activation, including impact reporting that meets sustainability and ESG reporting needs and positions relationships for renewal and increased support.
Identify, cultivate, and manage celebrity and talent partnerships, including ambassador relationships and celebrity involvement in corporate partnerships, in coordination with Marketing and Communications.
Collaborate with campaign, policy, communications, and country office staff to maximize the financial, marketing, and mission value of corporate partnerships.
Ensure partnerships comply with Oceana’s Policy on Corporate Contributions and consider Legal and Accounting standards before marketing activities with partners.
Work with Marketing and Communications to create a communications calendar and brand-aligned templates for proposals, presentations, and information sheets.
Serve as the primary contact for corporate-facing materials with Marketing and Communications, including tailored presentations for complex proposals.
Analyze and improve workflows among Oceana staff, partner staff, and outside agencies when delivering partner marketing activities.
Set global corporate partnership best practices and workflows; provide guidance, training, and support to departments and country offices.
Provide regular updates to the Executive Committee and Board on corporate partnerships.
Supervise the Director, Global Corporate Partnerships, and oversee the team’s day-to-day management of corporate partners.
Exercise independent judgment on team priorities, partnership strategy, and the corporate relations budget; consult the Vice President, Global Development about revenue or expense budget changes, policy exceptions, and personnel actions.
Set team goals and expectations, provide coaching and training, and support professional development.
Recruit, hire, and onboard staff as the team grows.
Ensure corporate partner revenue is recorded appropriately in Salesforce and acknowledged promptly.
Manage outside vendors and consultants supporting corporate partner recruitment and management.
Contribute to Development department planning and department-wide strategy.
Foster a collaborative work environment that encourages teamwork, innovation, and professional growth.
Perform additional duties as needed or assigned.