Associate Director, Corporate Partnerships

ABOUT EQUALITY NOW: 

At Equality Now, we aspire to create a world in which women and men have equal rights under the law, and full enjoyment of their human rights.

Our mission is gender equality. And how we get there matters. Here are the values behind everything we do.

Founded in 1992, we are an international human rights organization that works to protect and promote the rights of all women and girls around the world. Our campaigns are centered on four program areas: Legal Equality, End Sexual Violence, End Harmful Practices, and End Sexual Exploitation, with a cross-cutting focus on the unique needs of adolescent girls.  

We are truly global and we have a team of 80+ people located all around the world. We have team members in Benin, Beirut, London, Geneva, San Jose, El Salvador, Argentina, Nairobi, Tbilisi, New York and Washington DC among others. 

We offer a great experience for talented people who are passionate about equality. To work here, you’ll need to share our core values of integrity and accountability, inclusiveness, resilience, and empathy. For more information, visit equalitynow.org  

MISSION OBJECTIVE: 

The Associate Director, Corporate Partnerships  is responsible for designing and implementing strategic initiatives that cultivate, grow, and steward high-value corporate partnerships aligned with Equality Now’s mission. The role serves as a key contributor to the organization’s fundraising strategy by managing a portfolio of corporate partners, developing high-impact campaigns and more tailored opportunities for engagement, and directly generating five-to seven-figure support. This position is central to positioning Equality Now as a partner of choice for corporations seeking to support gender equality globally.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following is a general outline of duties and responsibilities for this role. It is not an exhaustive list, and additional duties may be assigned or removed at the discretion of the Chief Development Officer to meet organizational needs and priorities:

Purpose: Adapt

• Develop and lead a comprehensive corporate engagement strategy with annual revenue targets, long-term growth goals, and activation calendars (e.g., International Women’s Day, International Day of the Girl).
• Conceptualize and package compelling, high-value partnership opportunities, aligning Equality Now’s mission with partner priorities through campaigns, sponsorships, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Anticipate and respond to trends in CSR, ESG, and corporate philanthropy, adapting approaches to ensure continued relevance and innovation.
• Build organizational capacity for corporate engagement by refining systems, workflows, and data management (Raiser’s Edge, Monday.com).

Engagement: Persuade & Influence 

• Manage and expand a portfolio of 50+ corporate partners and prospects, cultivating relationships that generate transformational funding and visibility.
• Serve as the lead relationship manager for high-value corporate accounts, ensuring alignment, trust, and measurable impact.
• Guide and prepare Equality Now’s leadership and board to engage effectively with corporate executives and decision-makers.
• Mobilize internal teams, including programmes, communications, and finance, to deliver tailored, high-impact partnership experiences.
• Represent Equality Now externally, positioning the organization as an authoritative and collaborative voice in corporate engagement for gender equality.

Delivery: Guide Project Evolution
 

• Lead the full project cycle for corporate partnerships: strategy design, pitching, closing, implementation, stewardship, and renewal.
• Produce persuasive proposals, sponsorship packages, donor reports, and presentations tailored to corporate interests and aligned with Equality Now’s funding priorities.
• Oversee corporate sponsorships for the annual gala, ensuring fulfillment, relationship growth, and maximum visibility for both partners and Equality Now.
• Plan and deliver corporate activations and campaigns with professionalism, precision, and measurable results.
• Ensure data integrity by tracking all interactions, deliverables, and progress in Raiser’s Edge and Monday.com.
• Contribute to broader Development team objectives, including budget planning, forecasting, and evaluation of fundraising effectiveness.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS & TARGET SKILLS PROFILE:

Substantive Knowledge

• Proven success in securing corporate and foundation gifts of $100K+, with a consistent record of meeting or exceeding ambitious fundraising targets.
• Deep expertise in nonprofit fundraising strategy, corporate philanthropy, and donor engagement across diverse sectors and geographies.
• Strong familiarity with CSR, ESG, and sustainability frameworks, and their intersection with corporate giving and strategic partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute integrated corporate and foundation fundraising strategies that align with organizational priorities.
• Skilled in engaging and inspiring prospects, donors, and key stakeholders—including senior executives and board members—to deepen support and investment.
• Experienced in pitching to high-level decision-makers and crafting tailored value propositions that resonate across sectors.
• In-depth knowledge of the full program development cycle and advanced proposal development, from concept to submission.
• Deep commitment to gender equality, women’s rights, and broader human rights, with the ability to translate values into actionable fundraising strategies.

Communication Skills

• Fluent in English; proficiency in Spanish, French, or Arabic is highly desirable for global reach.
• Adept at fostering cross-cultural collaboration and cultivating trust-based relationships consistent with the mission and values of Equality Now.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft persuasive proposals, presentations, and reports tailored to senior executives, board members, and diverse global audiences. Skilled facilitator with the ability to navigate sensitive conversations, mediate conflict, and build consensus across teams and functions.
• Proven ability to mobilize internal stakeholders, including leadership and board members, to advance fundraising and organizational strategies.
• Culturally fluent communicator, able to adapt styles across geographies and engage stakeholders with varying levels of familiarity with gender equality and human rights.
• Leads with empathy, active listening, and inclusive practices to build trust and strengthen partnerships across diverse teams and networks.

Execution Skills

• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and adept at managing multiple priorities and complex projects in a fast-paced, global environment.
• Demonstrated success in the full program development cycle: prospecting, proposal writing, closing, delivery, and stewardship.
• Experience supervising and mentoring junior staff or colleagues, including setting clear goals, providing constructive feedback, coaching professional growth, and fostering accountability.
• Demonstrated ability to manage workload distribution, resolve conflicts within teams, and maintain morale under pressure.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to anticipate opportunities, solve problems creatively, and adapt strategies.
• Proficiency with donor databases (Raiser’s Edge preferred), project management tools (e.g., Monday.com), and virtual collaboration platforms.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally and domestically, sometimes on short notice, to support regional teams, engage with partners, and represent Equality Now.

Targeted & Specialized Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree strongly preferred (e.g., MBA, MPA, MA in Nonprofit Management, International Relations, or a related discipline). Equivalent professional certifications in fundraising, CSR, or nonprofit leadership will also be considered.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in development or fundraising, including at least 5 years leading corporate partnerships, with 3+ years managing high-value corporate partnership portfolios.

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