Development Officer, Partnerships

Children’s Cancer Research Fund is dedicated to advancing research that leads to safer, more effective treatment options for children with cancer, especially in areas where survival rates remain low or have not improved for decades. The organization funds early-stage research and helps bridge funding gaps when federal or other support is not available, allowing promising ideas to move forward. In addition to research, Children’s Cancer Research Fund supports essential family services and promotes education and awareness about childhood cancer. Donor support is central to its mission, enabling innovation and progress toward better treatments and cures. To learn more or get involved, visit ChildrensCancer.org.

POSITION SUMMARY

Purpose the position serves in the organization

The Development Officer, Partnerships is a frontline fundraiser responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, stewarding, and growing corporate, foundation, community, and organizational partnerships that advance CCRF's mission and revenue goals.

Reporting to the Director of Development, Partnerships, this role manages a portfolio of current and prospective partners and is responsible for building meaningful relationships that result in sponsorships, grants, employee engagement opportunities, cause marketing initiatives, and other strategic partnerships.

The Development Officer, Partnerships serves as a relationship manager and revenue generator, working closely with internal stakeholders, volunteers, and community leaders to develop customized partnership opportunities that align organizational priorities with partner interests.

This role grows and manages a portfolio of approximately 50–75 current and prospective partners and carries responsibility for securing up to $1 million annually through sponsorships, foundation grants, cause-marketing initiatives, employee engagement programs and other strategic partnership opportunities. Revenue expectations will be established annually in partnership with the Director of Development, Partnerships and may evolve as the portfolio matures.

Success requires guiding partners through the full relationship continuum—identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, renewal, and growth—and is measured through revenue generation, portfolio growth, partner retention, pipeline development, and stewardship activities.

Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid position. Employees are expected to work on-site at CCRF's offices approximately 40% of the time, with the remainder of work performed remotely.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Day-to-day work, core functions, project work, and key deliverables

Strategic Partnership Development

•     Manage a portfolio of approximately 50–75 corporate, foundation, and community partners and prospects.

•     Develop and execute customized cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, renewal, and growth strategies for assigned partners.

•     Achieve annual partnership revenue goals of up to $1 million through sponsorships, grants, cause marketing, employee engagement, and other partnership opportunities.

•     Identify, qualify, and pursue new partnership opportunities aligned with CCRF's mission and revenue goals.

•     Conduct partner meetings, presentations, and proposal discussions to advance opportunities through the pipeline.

•     Develop and present customized partnership proposals, sponsorship opportunities, and engagement plans.

•     Ensure partnership commitments are fulfilled and opportunities for renewal and growth are proactively pursued.

•     Represent CCRF at organizational and community events to cultivate and steward partner relationships.

Pipeline Development & Prospect Management

•     Build and maintain a healthy pipeline of qualified prospects at varying stages of cultivation and solicitation.

•     Ensure each assigned partner and prospect has a documented engagement strategy, next step, and timeline.

•     Work with leadership, Board members, and volunteers to identify and secure introductions to prospective partners.

•     Maintain accurate activity, pipeline, forecasting, and relationship information within Salesforce CRM.

•     Forecast partnership revenue and monitor opportunity progression against annual goals.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Partnership Fulfillment

•     Collaborate with Marketing, Events, Finance, Operations, and Development teams to ensure successful partnership activation and fulfillment.

•     Partner with internal stakeholders to develop compelling proposals, presentations, and partnership opportunities.

•     Coordinate fulfillment of sponsorship and partnership commitments.

•     Work closely with leadership and Board members to leverage networks and expand partnership opportunities.

•     Provide regular pipeline, revenue, and partnership updates to leadership.

•     Identify opportunities to improve partnership effectiveness, partner experience, and long-term revenue growth.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Technical and soft skills required and/or preferred for this position

•     Bachelor's degree required

•     5–7 years of experience in business, marketing, public relations, communications, or nonprofit fundraising

•     Direct customer service experience

•     Experience in budget and expense management

•     Knowledge of practices and principles related to the sale and implementation of corporate partnerships

•     Experience supporting partner programs and partner relations

•     Demonstrated success building positive, collaborative internal and external relationships

•     Adept at communicating across all levels of an organization, including executives, board members, community volunteers, and key stakeholders

Excellent organizational skills

GENERAL EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• 5 – 7 years previous experience required -
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft 365 Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint)
• Intermediate skill with CRMs, specifically Salesforce
• Ability to travel occasionally
• Ability to work in a hybrid environment (on-site at CCRF's offices a minimum of 40% of scheduled work time
• Previous experience working for a children's and/or health charity
• Sitting/standing for long periods of time, minimal lifting or bending

BENEFITS

CCRF offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Benefits are subject to plan terms and eligibility requirements.

Health & Welfare

•     Medical

•     Dental

•     Health Savings Account (HSA)

•     Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

•     Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA)

•     Group Life Insurance

•     Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)

•     Long-Term Disability (LTD)

•     Short-Term Disability (STD)

Retirement

•     403(b) Retirement Plan with 4% employer match

Work-Life & Time Off

•     Work/Life Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

•     Hybrid Work Environment

•     Floating & Fixed Holidays

•     Vacation Time

•     Illness Time

•     Personal Time (VIP)

•     Parental Leave

Disclaimer: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.