Director, Corporate Initiatives

Autism Speaks is proud to have been named a Best Nonprofit to Work by Nonprofit Times and Best Companies Group in 2024!

Come join Autism Speaks as a Director of Corporate Initiatives in Texas/SW Area. This position is responsible for leading all corporate initiatives in Texas/SW area with priority focus on the Houston and Dallas Metro Markets, from prospecting to relationship management to long-term growth. Individual will be home based and should be located within 30 miles from the Dallas Area.

The Director of Corporate Initiatives represents Autism Speaks to a diverse corporate audience and should be comfortable cultivating relationships with senior executives, presenting to employee resource groups (ERGs) and engaging professional associations. This position is a front-line fundraiser and ambassador for Autism Speaks and will speak knowledgeably and persuasively about the mission of the organization and the variety of ways to engage. Our corporate initiatives include event sponsorship, employment programs, retail campaigns and more.

Primary Responsibilities

• Achieve annual revenue goals by developing and managing a portfolio of accounts, with asks ranging from five- to seven-figures.
• Conduct corporate prospecting for new business.
• Navigate accounts through a defined sales pipeline, from prospecting through stewardship.
• Steward relationships to renewals and long-term growth.
• Monitor and communicate results against budget/plan and initiate corrective action as necessary to meet goals
• Recruit corporate volunteers and manage their engagement in event committees, the Area Executive Leadership Council and other campaigns.
• Collaborate across departments and cultivate strong working relationships with staff at all levels
  
  

(The responsibilities listed above are representative and not all inclusive. Other duties may be assigned by supervisor/s. As outlined in your performance goal setting forms, you will be responsible for achieving the goals provided by and agreed upon with your manager.)

Position Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent working experience

Experience

• 5+ years in corporate fundraising or related field
• Demonstrated success in sales/corporate development with emphasis on new-business development
  
  

Specialized Skills and Knowledge:

• Excellent written and public speaking skills with keen ability to express key concepts and share information effectively.
• Excellent relationship-building skills with ability to be persuasive and close new business
• Ability to drive urgency in the sales cycle and manage a robust pipeline of prospects and accounts
• Ability recruit and engage high-level volunteers
• Strong organizational, interpersonal and customer-service skills, with troubleshooting and problem-solving capabilities
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, think creatively and maintain flexibility
• Ability to work successfully and autonomously in a fast-paced environment
• Intermediate proficiency with MS Office 365, including Excel and Outlook
• Database knowledge (Stratus Live and Blackbaud Luminate preferred)
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as necessary
• Ability to travel within the Area and occasionally beyond for meetings and conferences
• Must have valid driver’s license, insurance and access to reliable transportation
  
  

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Building Collaborative Relationships
• Professional Behavior
• Results Driven
• Customer Orientation
• Flexibility
  
  

You are responsible for protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of all Autism Speaks data and information to which you have access.

Autism Speaks is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse, multicultural, and inclusive workplace. We recruit, evaluate, employ, and promote candidates without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender identity or expression, protected veteran or military status, disability or other legally protected status. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply for job openings. Reasonable accommodations will be provided. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

About Autism Speaks

At Autism Speaks, our mission is to promote solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of people with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.

Just as we strive to enhance lives today and accelerate a spectrum of solutions for tomorrow for people on the spectrum, we also aim to enhance the lives of our dedicated employees, through thick and thin.

Salary & Benefits

Autism Speaks offers a competitive compensation, benefit and vacation package. We also provide flex work hours, weekly training sessions, tuition reimbursement and summer bonus Fridays in addition to a creative, innovative, collaborative, inclusive, kind and fun work environment.

Salary range is $68,700 - $72,100 depending on candidate's geographic location and relevant years of experience.

Autism Speaks is an employer that participates in E-Verify