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Corporate Relations Specialist, Habitat for Humanity Chicago

The Organization

Habitat for Humanity Chicago (Habitat Chicago) is a nonprofit organization that works to champion healthy neighborhoods by investing in resident priorities, supporting homeownership, and building quality homes. Habitat for Humanity Chicago (Habitat Chicago) is a nonprofit organization that works to champion healthy neighborhoods by investing in resident priorities, supporting homeownership, and building quality homes. We believe in a world where everyone has a decent place to live, and we invite people of all backgrounds to work towards this vision together in our three focus neighborhoods of West Pullman, Greater Grand Crossing, and Austin.

Position Overview

The Corporate Relations Specialist is a fundraiser who manages a portfolio of 100-125 corporate partners. The Specialist secures corporate team builds sponsorships, cultivates and stewards small to mid-level corporate donors ($1,000-$20,000), and works across teams to deliver a high-quality experience to volunteers and donors.

Key Responsibility: Team Build Sponsorships (60%)

Cultivate relationships with and secure team build sponsorship commitments from companies, as well as maintain a positive partnership through stewardship activities.

  • Respond to inquiries from corporate team build prospects; schedule qualifying calls to determine if they are a good fit.
  • Convert prospects into sponsors through responsive and compelling cultivation and pitches.
  • Manage prospect relationships through the relationship lifecycle with the aim to increase year-over-year retention and upgraded giving.
  • Work across teams to continuously improve the process by which corporate groups inquire about and secure team build opportunities, as well as the team build experience. 

Key Responsibility: Corporate Portfolio Management (20%)

Manage a portfolio of corporate partners and determine which of those partners have the capacity to become mid-level donors. Identify prospects by reviewing lists of current partners and by assessing the potential of incoming team build inquiries.

  • Develop relationships with multiple contacts in each organization.
  • Create a strategy for deepening relationships, resulting in larger, more value-driven partnerships.
  • Lead partner meetings to gain an understanding of prospect needs.
  • Create compelling proposals based on a strong understanding of prospect wants/needs.
  • Steward partners for continued and increased future giving; fulfill partnership benefits as needed.
  • Participate in prospect strategy sessions.

Key Responsibility: Event Sponsorships (10%)

In collaboration with the Senior Corporate Partnerships Manager, support activities required to cultivate and partner with new corporate event sponsors at our annual benefit, Women Build, and any future events. This includes identifying, researching, and soliciting prospects.

  • Persuasively communicate the organization’s mission and programs to potential funders.
  • Assist with the ongoing strategy for corporate event sponsors.
  • Work with the Events Manager to identify new event sponsorship opportunities.

Key Responsibility: Other Projects (5%)

Support various administrative, project management and partnership success efforts as needed.

  • Ensure partnership benefits are fulfilled and executed for events.
  • Engage in stewardship activities after receipt of sponsorship to maintain positive relationships and increase potential for larger future opportunities.

Key Responsibility: Teamwork (5%)

As a key Development Team member, contribute to our organizational health through enthusiastic collaboration, leadership and personal integrity.

  • Maintain a “team first” outlook, supporting the success of the team and the mission in attitude, ideas, and actions; lead by example and with active, creative input for growing and improving the organization
  • Contribute enthusiastically to all organization’s events, helping as necessary with set up/take down, management, networking, various tasks, etc.
  • Engage with all members of team, program participants, and core volunteers.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

  • High level of computer literacy, including familiarity with Microsoft Office and CRM systems (Salesforce preferred).
  • Excellent writing, analytical, and research skills.
  • Self-motivated, detail oriented, highly organized.Ability to multi-task and prioritize concurrent projects and day to day tasks within a fast-paced environment.
  • Personable, customer-oriented; ease with working with others and with delegating.
  • Must work well under pressure and with changing priorities.
  • Enthusiasm for nonprofit development work and willingness to proactively seek best practices and new ideas.
  • Commitment to problem solving, continuous improvement, curiosity and personal development.
  • Understanding and enthusiasm for Habitat for Humanity philosophy and willingness to advocate its mission.

Education and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
  • 3+ years of fundraising and/or sales experience, preferably relating to corporate/foundation relations or business development.
  • Experience managing funders/sponsors, team members, volunteers, and outside vendors and relationships.
  • Understanding of corporate philanthropy planning and moves management processes.
  • Experience with successful project management and effectively leading projects start to finish.

Successful Habitat team members share the following characteristics

  • Mission Driven: Mission first. We center neighborhood priorities in our relationships, decisions, and actions to advance our shared goals of affordable homeownership and neighborhood health.
  • Collaboration: We are stronger together. We encourage, welcome, and integrate varied perspectives with intention.
  • Adaptability: We listen and adjust. We are curious about and responsive to change, and innovative in our solutions.
  • Trust: We do what we say we will do. We engage in relationships honestly and with integrity, holding ourselves accountable for our decisions and actions as a reliable partner/presence.
  • Equity: We promote access and opportunity. We value diversity, create inclusive spaces, and tailor efforts to prioritize practices and resources that meet unique needs, disrupting the harm of racism and other systems of oppression.
  • Respect: We listen to foster understanding. We recognize the inherent worth and value of every individual and honor the various gifts, talents, and perspectives each person brings.

How To Apply

Please submit compelling cover letter and resume to careers@habitatchicago.org with “Corporate Relations Specialist – Your Name” in the subject line by 8/18/2023. Successful applicants will be contacted for interviews.

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