Job Description
ABOUT PLAYWORKS: At Playworks, we believe in the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. We create a place for every kid on the playground to get active, build valuable skills, connect, and have fun. We partner with schools, districts, and after-school programs to provide a service or mix of services, including on-site coaches, professional training for school staff who support recess, and consultative partnerships.
ABOUT THE POSITION: In the role of the Director, Corporate Giving, you will serve as a key member of the Playworks National development team with primary responsibility for leading Playworks’ corporate fundraising strategy. This role, primarily external with additional internal responsibilities, requires a strong focus on identifying, cultivating, and securing high-value corporate partnerships to advance Playworks’ mission and revenue goals.
You will report to the Chief Development Officer (CDO) to build and execute a comprehensive national corporate giving strategy - developing multi-year partnerships, sponsorships, employee engagement initiatives, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) collaborations. You will also partner cross-functionally with development, program, communications, and finance teams across Playworks’ regional network to ensure seamless delivery of partnership commitments.
This position plays a critical leadership role within the development team, including close collaboration with regional development staff, participation in national development planning, and contributions to Playworks’ broader fundraising strategy and goals. The Director may also support strategy or advise on corporate components of regional fundraising events and initiatives. The role is primarily focused on managing an organization-wide revenue portfolio (approximately 80%), while also advancing regional fundraising strategy (approximately 20%).
Specifically, this role will have the following responsibilities:
- Develop, lead, and manage Playworks’ corporate giving strategy, including sponsorships, corporate partnerships, employee engagement programs, and workplace giving.
- Build and manage a personal portfolio of corporate donors, cultivating relationships with senior corporate leaders, CSR teams, and community investment officers.
- Identify, research, and cultivate new corporate funding opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.
- Track and forecast revenue from corporate partnerships; maintain accurate database records for pipelines, deadlines, and deliverables.
- Lead cross-functional partnership meetings to ensure deliverables are executed on time and with excellence.
- Create tailored partnership proposals and pitch materials that communicate impact, ROI, and partnership value.
- Monitor trends in corporate philanthropy and social impact to inform strategy and maintain competitive positioning.
- Collaborate with program, finance, and marketing teams to design partnership packages, deliverables, and reporting requirements.
Required Skills & Experience
- Bachelor’s preferred, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
- 7-10+ years of experience in corporate fundraising, corporate partnerships, CSR engagement, business development, or related fundraising roles.
- Proven track record of securing and managing high-value corporate partnerships, ideally ranging from $500,000 - $1,000,000 annually.
- Demonstrated experience developing corporate partnership strategies, sponsorship packages, and multi-year funding proposals.
- Experience cultivating relationships with senior corporate leaders, CSR teams, employee engagement teams, or marketing/brand partners.
- Strong background in prospecting, pipeline development, and revenue forecasting.
- Experience producing high-quality partnership decks, impact reports, and stewardship materials.
- Familiarity with corporate giving trends, corporate social responsibility (CSR), environmental/social/governance (ESG) priorities, and cause-marketing.
- Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, as well as interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust within a team, as well as lead group presentations.
- Requires flexibility to readily adapt to a changing environment.
- Possess excellent organizational and analytical skills and the ability to multitask and meet aggressive deadlines.
- Strong Salesforce experience and comfort managing complex donor/partner data.
- Experience as a collaborative and innovative leader, with an understanding of strength-based organizational culture, passionate about Playworks’ mission, and committed to education and health reform work.
Compensation & Benefits:
Playworks offers the full package - great benefits, a fun place to work, and an opportunity to grow professionally. We offer:
- This is a full-time, exempt position that reports to the Chief Development Officer
- At Playworks, our starting salary takes into consideration internal pay equity, geographic pay differential, and robust external market data. We highly value transparency and equity within compensation and, therefore, are committed to adhering to established compensation pay points. The hiring salary for this position is $122,600 (San Francisco Bay Area/New York City) and $116,400 in all other areas
- A comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability, 401(k) plans with employer match, life insurance, employee-funded pre-tax health, and child care spending accounts.
- Generous paid vacation, sick and holiday leave
This is a hands-on, creative, playful, and fun-loving place to work, all while contributing to the success of our nation’s youth. So if you’re ready to immerse yourself in the education sector, working on a rewarding set of challenges, and if you’ve got the skills, experience, passion, and a team spirit, apply!
Please include:
- A cover letter describing your interest in Playworks and how your experience has prepared you for this role.
- Resume.
- References will be requested.
As an equal opportunity program, Playworks encourages applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, gender identity/expression, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, faith, marital status, physical ability, or any other legally protected basis. Playworks evaluates all candidates for employment, volunteering opportunities, or board service on a merit basis.
