Manager, External Affairs

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

RISE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice, and improve race relations. Through partnerships and programs, we inspire leaders in sports to create positive change on matters of race and equality.

For more information about RISE, visit our website.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Manager of External Affairs will lead initiatives to expand the organization’s visibility, generate revenue, and foster strategic partnerships. Reporting to the Senior Vice President, External Affairs, the Manager will support business development, marketing, and communications efforts, aligning these with the organization’s overall growth and impact objectives. This role requires a dynamic individual skilled in partnership cultivation, strategic thinking, and collaborative execution.

Revenue Generation and Partnership Development (50%)

• Identify, research, pitch, and secure new strategic business opportunities such as program partnerships, corporate sponsorships, foundations, and individual donors (e.g., campaigns) that align with the organization’s revenue goals.
• Drive sales efforts to secure new partners and sponsors across key industries, ensuring that revenue targets are met or exceeded.
• Create compelling proposals, sales pitches, and other packages tailored to potential program partners, corporate sponsors, foundations, and individual donors, demonstrating clear value propositions.
• Lead negotiations of partnership and sponsorship agreements, securing favorable terms that maximize revenue, ensure long-term sustainability, and drive significant financial returns for the organization.
• Execute high-impact sales-type strategies to exceed revenue targets.
• Collaborate with internal teams (e.g., Programs) to ensure that partnership and sponsorship commitments are delivered accurately and on time.

Sales Operations & Performance Tracking (20%)

• Maintain a pipeline of partnership and sponsorship opportunities, regularly updating leadership on progress toward revenue targets.
• Use CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) to track interactions with partners and sponsors, manage leads, and forecast revenue opportunities.
• Draft and manage partnership and sponsorship agreements and invoices, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment with department and organizational goals.
• Prepare regular reports on sales activities, including partner and sponsor development, revenue secured, and upcoming opportunities.

Marketing, Branding & Communications (30%)

• Manage the implementation of marketing campaigns and brand initiatives (e.g., RISE monthly newsletter) to increase organizational visibility.
• Ensure alignment with brand guidelines across all organizational materials and events.
• Collaborate with colleagues and external contractors for public relations and social media efforts.
• Support storytelling and media outreach efforts to highlight success stories and organizational impact.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with colleagues to ensure partnership agreements are executed effectively and partners receive agreed-upon benefits.
• Collaborate with internal teams to align partner objectives with key initiatives, maximizing the impact and success of external partnerships.
• Develop communication materials and presentations for partners to support ongoing relationship management and business development efforts.
• Perform other duties, including Senior Vice President, External Affairs delegated projects and organizational support, as assigned.

Reporting Structure

Reports directly to the Senior Vice President, External Affairs.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities/Competencies

• Extremely organized, self-starter, intrinsically motivated.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Strong ability to communicate effectively through both oral and written channels.
• Ability to work collaboratively with RISE staff and external partners.
• Strong problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects with meticulous attention to detail and strict adherence to deadlines.
• Ability to lead and facilitate group meetings.
• Experience managing corporate and program partnerships and generating revenue through sponsorships and programming.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• BA/BS degree in a related field, such as Business, Communications, Marketing, or Sports Management.
• 5+ years of proven experience within partnerships, fundraising, or related fields, preferably in a nonprofit or sports-related organization.
• Strong sales and negotiation skills, with the ability to close deals and secure high-value partnerships.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and implement innovative partnership strategies that drive organizational growth and impact.
• Background or knowledge of the sports industry (grassroots, collegiate, or professional).
• Ability to travel throughout the United States for RISE programming and special events.
• Proficiency in using CRM platforms like Salesforce or similar tools to manage and track partner interactions, communications, and relationships.

TRAVEL

This position requires the employee to travel, possibly on nights, weekends, and holidays.

COMPENSATION

RISE offers a competitive package, commensurate with experience.

This job posting contains a salary range, which represents the range of salaries or hourly rates that RISE believes, in good faith, at the time of this posting, that it might be willing to pay for the posted job in the locations specified. RISE expects to hire for this position near the middle of the range. Only in truly rare and exceptional circumstances, where an external candidate has experience, credentials, or expertise that far exceed those required or expected for the position, would RISE consider paying a salary or rate near the higher end of the range.

TERMS / EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

• RISE employees are required to work 40 hours per week.
• This role may require work on nights, weekends, and holidays.
• RISE maintains a Flexible Workplace Policy that provides members of our workforce with opportunities to periodically work from a location of their choice while maintaining a priority on in-person work (2 days per week) at the RISE office, which enables us to more effectively collaborate, connect, and build a workplace culture that will drive our continued success.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE) is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status.

Job Questions:

• Are you willing to relocate to New York, NY, or Detroit, MI?
• What interests you most about working at RISE? (400-word limit)
• RISE’s core values include commitment to mission, inclusion, teamwork, and innovation and agility. Please pick one of our core values and briefly tell us how you embody that core value in your day-to-day work. (400-word limit)
• Please include links to any relevant work samples or portfolios.

Email [email protected] for more information on how to apply.