Senior Partnerships Manager, Agency & Media

About Understood

Understood is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference. We raise awareness of the challenges and strengths of people who learn and think differently. Our resources help people navigate challenges, gain confidence, and find support and community so they can thrive. 

Having a shared commitment to our values is a key factor in any hire we make. We have five core values: 

1. Continuously learn.
   2. Act with intention.
   3. Champion difference.
   4. Inspire change.
   5. Grow together. 

Come be part of an organization with an entrepreneurial spirit that’s helping to shape the world for difference. Together, we can build a world where everyone can reach their full potential. 

To learn more about Understood, please visit: www.understood.org.

Who you are 

To advance Understood’s mission and to further our impact, we’re hiring a Senior Manager, Corporate Partnerships- Agency & Media, reporting to our Head of Corporate Partnerships. The ideal candidate will have experience identifying, cultivating, and stewarding revenue-generating and in-kind relationships with key stakeholders at advertising and marketing agencies, as well as media platforms. This candidate will be a natural relationship builder and have a natural inclination to seek and secure new partnership opportunities that support the Understood mission.

This is a hybrid opportunity, which requires three (3) days per week in our NYC office.

What you’ll do

• Play an active role in the execution of the corporate partnership team Advancement Strategy as it indirectly supports the execution of the overall strategy of the greater Partnerships team.
• Identify and target potential clients through research, networking, and market analysis.
• Proactively support leadership with fresh ideas and perspectives that translate into new partnership opportunities to drive team goals.
• Build and maintain strong, long-lasting relationships with clients, understanding their needs and providing tailored solutions to meet their objectives.
• Ensuring that client needs align with org mission, as an imperative for partnership opportunities.
• Collaborate well cross-functionally with marketing and communications, product, research, etc. teams to ensure alignment and maximize opportunities for growth.

Must-haves 

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a similar role/capacity, with a proven track record of measurable contribution to team successes.
• Working knowledge of current agency and media landscape, inclusive of current market trends, decision-makers, and potential partner’s “fit” with Understood mission.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word and Excel especially), Monday.com, and Google products (Sheets, Drive, Docs, etc.)
• Possess a natural inclination, willingness and aptitude for external networking and evangelizing our org mission where appropriate.
• Willingness to travel to and attend relevant conferences and various other networking events.
• Ability to effectively communicate ideas, drive proposal building and presentation, and represent the Understood organization externally and internally with professionalism and poise.
• Intuitively understands when to receive feedback and direction and when to assert autonomy and "own" a project.
• Committed to embodying and being a steward of our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Nice-to-haves

• An existing network of contacts at large and mid-size marketing and advertising agencies, as well as media platforms (TV, Film, Music, News, Digital, Social Media, etc.)
• A creative, big-idea thinker who consistently brings forth new partnership ideas or opportunities to broaden the scope of the corporate partnerships team’s work.

The base salary range for this role is minimum $110,000 - $130,000 maximum, depending on years of experience and qualifications. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that supports wellness for our team members and their families. You can learn more about our benefits and offerings.

Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Understood encourages individuals of all learning styles and ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds, including those whose life experiences may include the challenge of access due to a disability, to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization, as we want to engage all those who can contribute to supporting this work.

Understood is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applications without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, alienage or citizenship status, marital or familial status, domestic partnership status, caregiver status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, change of sex or transgender status, genetic information, medical condition, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, physical or mental disability (where the applicant or employee is qualified to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation), any protected military or veteran status, or status as a victim of domestic or dating violence, sexual assault or offense, stalking, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local law or that of persons with whom that individual associates, or any other legally protected characteristics.

For additional information on learning and thinking differences, including ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, executive function challenges, nonverbal learning disabilities, processing issues, and more, please visit www.understood.org.

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