Reporting to the Senior Director for Strategic Partnerships & Development, the manager is responsible for managing and supporting comprehensive business development strategies that support the growth of our Global Partnership Program. Additionally, this position will support the Exhibits Director to provide customer service to exhibitors, including our Global Partners at NAFSA’s Annual Conference & Expo. This position will collaborate with leaders across the organization to develop strategies together that identify opportunities for greater engagement through external partnerships.

The ideal candidate will have a mindset aligned with NAFSA’s strategic vision. We believe that international education advances learning and scholarship, fosters understanding and respect among people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives, is essential for developing globally competent individuals, and builds leadership for the global community. We believe that international education lies at the core of an interconnected world characterized by diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, and wellbeing for all. Diversity in our classrooms, our communities, and our workplaces is our strength. We seek to conduct international education in socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable ways.

Major Functions and Responsibilities:

Research, identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships resulting in growth of Global Partnership Program and sponsorship funding (40%)

• Support cultivation of existing and prospective funders by designing effective strategies to increase donor engagement year-round and support the Global Partnership Program
• Research and identify strategically aligned foundations, corporations, and other external stakeholders for engagement resulting in sponsorship of programs, products, and services  
• Collaborate with leaders across the organization to identify innovative sponsorship opportunities to support strategic programs and priorities
• Lead the drafting of correspondence, requests for funding, invoicing and additional materials
• Draft sponsorship contracts
• Manage donor data in iMIS database

Coordinate and support planning and execution of exhibits management functions in partnership with the Exhibits Director (40%)

• Assist the Exhibits Director in the planning and set up of the online system for exhibitors 
• Create regular reports on exhibits sales
• Manage check, credit card and wire transfer payments with accounting 
• Support the creation of content for exhibitor communication
• Coordinate exhibitor registration with Registration Specialist
• Research and develop comprehensive resources for exhibitors 
• Assist with pre-sales of future years to Global Partners

Provide program and administrative support for various efforts driven by NAFSA’s strategic goals and objectives (15%)

• General website updates for department
• Provide administrative support for the organizational advancement board committee in coordination with the executive office
• Manage donor acknowledgement process
• Prospect research on prospective donors

Perform other duties as assigned in support of Strategic Partnerships and Development (5%)

Requirements

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum three years of experience in a professional setting or office, including substantive exposure to or experience in business development work
• Demonstrated ability to appropriately prioritize, manage, and complete multiple projects and assignments while meeting competing deadlines 
• Proven experience maintaining and supporting existing relationships and cultivating new relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to work independently and within a team 
• Interest and/or experience with web editing 
• Interest in international education 
• Ability to craft diverse and compelling messaging and communication
• Ability to remain agile in response to rapidly changing operating environments 
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite products
• Ability to master various technology, web, and data management systems
• Commitment to NAFSA’s mission

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with iMIS software or similar CRM or database
• Previous experience with an association, membership, nonprofit, or higher education organization 
• Previous experience with NAFSA or international education