Key Partnerships Manager

Wine To Water (WTW) believes that the world is made better when people come together to care for the needs of others. Water is essential not just for survival but for thriving, and that is why we are committed to supporting the life and dignity of all through the power of clean water. Since our founding, we have served in 56 countries and have offices in five locations: the United States, Nepal, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, South Africa, and Tanzania. At WTW, we are guided by our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Courageous Communication, Extreme Ownership, and Entrepreneurship. These values shape how we work, both internally and externally, as we continue to create impactful and sustainable solutions for communities around the globe.

The WTW Development team plays a pivotal role in advancing our mission by leading fundraising strategies, managing relationships, and communicating with key supporters and partners. We engage with individuals and organizations who share our belief in the WTW mission and are ready to take action to help provide clean water resources to those in need.

Position Description: WTW is seeking an engaging, self-motivated, and relationship-driven professional to lead corporate and organizational partnerships as the Key Partnerships Manager. This role focuses on cultivating, stewarding, and growing relationships with corporate partners, family foundations, and other key stakeholders to support WTW’s global water access programs. Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, you will manage a portfolio of existing partners while actively identifying and securing new strategic partnerships.

You will thrive in this role if you are an independent, proactive team player who brings a strong background in sales, account management, or partnership development. Experience in corporate social responsibility (CSR), environmental, social, and governance (ESG), or sustainability is highly valued. While prior fundraising experience is not required, exceptional communication skills and the ability to pitch and deliver compelling proposals are essential.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Portfolio Management and Fundraising Goals

• Work toward a collective and organizational contribution goal of $5M .

• Manage a portfolio of corporate and organizational partners, prioritizing five- and six-figure gifts with a goal of securing seven-figure commitments and multi-year partnership investments.

• Develop a pipeline of prospects and leads, leveraging WTW Filter Build® events, strategic opportunities, and other sources.

Strategic Partnership Development

• Build sustainable funding through long-term partnerships and engaged donors.

• Faithfully and promptly communicate with partners to ensure retention, growth, and deepened relationships.

• Pitch WTW partnerships, aligning them to the specific ESG, CSR, social impact, and sustainability goals of partners.

• Share WTW’s mission and story with passion and consistency to inspire next steps.

• Engage partners in a shared vision, advancing the mission of WTW through collaborative efforts.

Presentations, Proposals, and Reporting

• Develop tailored presentations, proposals, and pitch materials to secure funding and support.

• Collaborate with the International Programs and Marketing/Communications teams to create impactful proposals, presentations, and donor reports.

• Ensure reports, appeals, partner communications, and collateral align with the annual calendar and organizational priorities.

Event Representation and Engagement

• Represent WTW at strategic meetings, in-person and virtual events, including speaking engagements, WTW Filter Build® events, and other high-impact opportunities.

• Schedule and facilitate meetings, ensuring partners are engaged and well-supported.

Collaboration and Organizational Support

• Work cooperatively with the Sr. Director of Development to ensure corporate partners are effectively supported across WTW teams.

• Represent the Development team in cross-functional collaborations to enhance partner engagement strategies.

Additional Responsibilities

• Take ownership of related tasks assigned by the Sr. Director of Development & Partnerships.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Mission Alignment: Deeply committed to WTW’s mission, programs, and values.

• 5 years of experience in key account management, corporate partnerships, or fundraising, with a proven track record of building and sustaining high-value relationships.

• 5 years of expertise in account management, donor stewardship, proposal development, and navigating the donation, sales, or engagement lifecycle.

• 3 years successful experience managing a portfolio of high-value clients or accounts, including corporate partners and key stakeholders, achieving contracts or sales valued at $50,000 and $100,000 levels.

• Experience in fundraising or business development with an entrepreneurial mindset, thriving in environments of constant change and growth.

• Exceptional relationship-building and customer service skills, demonstrating the ability to engage donors and partners with dignity, respect, and genuine gratitude.

• Strong working knowledge of major gifts fundraising or sales management, including proposal development and sales/donation lifecycles.

• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed to represent WTW in events, donor meetings, and partner engagements.

• 5 years of experience using a CRM system for managing donor or partner relationships.

• Salesforce experience preferred.

• Proficiency in technology and platforms such as Google Workspace, Zoom, Microsoft Office Suite, and other tools commonly used in donor relations and account management.

• Ability to engage with authenticity and professionalism with donors and partners who represent diverse communities, income levels, companies, faith beliefs, and experience backgrounds.

• Exceptional communication skills: written, verbal, and presentation.

Certain candidates may be eligible for benefits including:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Retirement Savings Plan - 401(k) with a 4% company match

• Parental Leave

• Paid Time Off and paid Federal holidays

• And more!

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, DOCUMENTATION AND SAFETY

• Sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting and operate office equipment; the employee is regularly required to bend, stoop, kneel, and at times may be required to lift 25 pounds and can be exposed to indoor, and outdoor temperatures and various living situations. Must be able to operate motorized vehicles with a valid license.

• Required domestic and international travel documentation and vaccinations for entry into foreign countries may be necessary to perform this role. This role may be in high-risk zones and will require documentation and medical clearance by various governments to enter disaster areas with significant public health risks.

• Adhere to WTW’s safety action plan and procedures.

Contingencies: As part of the hiring process, a background check, including criminal history and employment verification, will be conducted for all candidates who receive a conditional job offer.

EEOC Statement: Wine To Water does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected status.

Essential Functions of the Job. In the course of performing this work, an employee must be able to:

• Engage in logical reasoning, interpreting and responding.

• Adjust conversation style to accommodate diverse audiences.

• Lift up to 25 lbs. periodically.

• Bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb or balance, reach, push, and pull.

• Travel to and work in rural areas and disaster zones, which may involve navigating uneven terrain, exposure to variable weather conditions, and limited access to facilities.

• Drive a vehicle and/or ride in a car, travel via airplane domestically and internationally.

• Use computers, keyboards, phones, and other office equipment effectively to perform job duties.

• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing with colleagues, clients, and other stakeholders in person, on the phone, via video conference software, and via chat and email.

• Read and understand written documents, emails, reports, and instructions relevant to job responsibilities.

• Sit for prolonged periods looking at computer screens reading and interpreting data and creating/modifying financial information and other data.

• Move within the office environment and adjust to different workstations, along with the ability to maintain proper ergonomic posture while performing tasks.

• Attend meetings, events, or conferences, which might involve some travel and extended periods of standing or sitting.

• Maintain proper ergonomic posture while working to prevent strain or discomfort, including adjusting seating, using proper keyboard and mouse ergonomics, and arranging workspaces for comfort.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Application Question(s):

• As part of the hiring process, a background check, including criminal history and employment verification, will be conducted for all candidates who receive a conditional job offer. Please confirm you would be willing to consent to this standard process.

Experience:

• key account mgmt, corporate partnerships, or fundraising: 5 years (Required)
• account management or high-capacity donor stewardship: 5 years (Required)
• navigating the donation, sales, or engagement lifecycle: 5 years (Required)
• managing a portfolio of high-capacity clients or donors: 3 years (Required)
• fundraising or biz dev with an entrepreneurial mindset: 3 years (Required)
• Exceptional relationship-building & customer service skills: 5 years (Required)
• CRM software: 5 years (Required)
• Exceptional comm. skills: written, verbal, presentation: 5 years (Required)

Location:

• North Carolina (Required)

Work Location: Remote

Salary : $45,000 - $65,000