ABOUT CRADLES TO CRAYONS:

Cradles to Crayons (C2C) was founded in 2002, with the mission of providing children living in homeless or low-income situations with the essential items they need to thrive - at home, at school and at play. C2C is at the cutting edge of volunteer management, and through its “Giving Factory” warehouse provides unique, hands-on opportunities for people to help others. Headquartered in Boston, MA, C2C opened in Philadelphia in 2007 and in Chicago in 2016.

How Our Model Works: Cradles to Crayons collects new and nearly new children's items through grassroots community drives and corporate donations. Donations are then quality checked, processed and packaged by volunteers and are distributed to children through a collaborative network of social service agencies and school partners. C2C always supplies these items free of charge.

Cradles to Crayons meets a critical need as many children live in low-income and/or homeless situations. These living conditions can have negative effects on self-esteem as poverty can lead to increased social and emotional behavioral challenges; it impacts early education since half of children living in poverty start 1st grade up to 2 years developmentally behind their peers; and safety may be compromised as children living in poverty have increased risk of injury.

While meeting the immediate needs of low-income children and families, Cradles to Crayons also sets a foundation for lasting change by providing meaningful, tangible volunteer opportunities to thousands of individuals and families and hundreds of corporations each year by organizing clothing collections, hosting fundraisers, or working in the "Giving Factory" warehouse.

Cradles to Crayons has earned the highest possible rating from Charity Navigator for many years. Only 2% of charities rated have received this distinction, differentiating C2C from its peers, exemplifying the high standard of service at C2C, and indicating that C2C outperforms most other charities in America.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Director of Corporate Relations (DCR) reports to the Senior Director of Development (SDD) and manages the Development Senior Associate and has oversight of the Development Coordinator in the Chicago market. The DCR ensures that Cradles to Crayons meets our goals for strategic engagement by building and maintaining mutually beneficial partnerships with corporations that advance the goals of both Cradles to Crayons and the partnering organizations. This individual is responsible for the execution of Cradles to Crayons’ expanding corporate fundraising and engagement activities including program and event sponsorships and revenue-generating service events. Also, the DCR oversees Cradles to Crayons’ day-to-day corporate engagement programs and leads a cross-functional team to maximize corporate relationships for volunteer shifts, collection drives and other strategic relationship-building opportunities. The DCR works well in an entrepreneurial, fast-paced, and team-based environment to support the management of existing partnerships as well as the cultivation of new ones. The DCR also sits on the Market Leadership Team, along with the Executive Director, Senior Director of Development, and the heads of operations, community engagement, and volunteer engagement.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Model and lead a positive “One Cradles” culture, underpinned by Cradles’ Cultural Values and related behaviors.
Responsible for building corporate relationships. Accountable for achieving established revenue goals related to both, with an annual corporate fundraising goal of $2.2M.
Serve as a member of the Development Team and a key collaborator with the Community Engagement Team. Play a strategic role between these two departments and their overall fundraising and product collection strategies.
Manage the Chicago Senior Development Associate and oversee the Development Coordinator to ensure a clear, strategic plan related to this individual’s job functions, including the scheduling of corporate volunteer groups and collection drives.
Actively collaborate with the Senior Director of Operations regarding the product/inventory procurement process and strategy related to corporate engagement, building a strategic framework and provide content for outreach materials to meet Cradles to Crayons’ aggressive corporate goals in the areas of income, product acquisition, volunteering and new relationships.
Actively engage, steward and manage the existing portfolio of corporate relationships to maximize potential.
Lead and manage the Corporate Advisory Council (CAC) to engage and activate members to proactively work to achieve annual corporate fund-raising goals.
Lead and create a holistic approach to corporate relationships and increase our ability to maximize funding, in-kind product and volunteerism.
Work with the Marketing team to develop, market and socialize materials and program elements that define and promote C2C as a premium non-profit partner including customized days of service.
Sit on the Market Leadership Team and assist in making strategic decisions for C2C Chicago.
Lead and continue to grow C2C’s unique offerings including our Giving Factory@Work programming with the aim to raise substantial income and meet key product needs of the organization, in conjunction with cross-functional teams.
Contribute to new business development efforts by identifying and engaging prospective corporate partners through proactive outreach, leveraging C2C’s network and warehouse visits.
Lead corporate fundraising efforts for C2C’s signature initiatives and events each year.
Solicit corporate support for C2C’s signature programs including Ready for Learning, Gear Up for Winter/Un-Gala, and other C2C events.
Optimize opportunities to position C2C as a thought and industry leader in high impact corporate engagement by maintaining level of current CSR research, and identifying other leadership, press, and speaking opportunities as appropriate in collaboration with the Marketing team.
Attend C2C’s signature events and contribute to other departmental and organizational goals and activities as needed.
Periodically serve as manager on duty for weekend volunteer shifts. Participate in corporate volunteer shifts in the Chicago Giving Factory as needed. Participate and actively contribute to organization-wide projects led by functional leaders in IT, Marketing and Finance as assigned. Work on special projects as requested.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES:

Establish and meet aggressive fundraising objectives to meet the annual operating and capacity needs of C2C.
Develop and market Corporate Engagement framework and materials and customized service days.
Demonstrate ability to generate new business.
Increase and renew existing donor commitments.
Demonstrate ability to build, manage and inspire others toward development and organizational goals.
Demonstrate ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively with other C2C staff across markets as well as the C2C Board of Directors, Development Committee and Corporate Advisory Council.
Uphold high quality of customer service with all C2C’s stakeholders.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in Communications, Business, Organizational Development or other relevant field.
7+ years of professional experience in development; experience in the Chicagoland corporate community a plus.
Strong written and oral communication skills. Strong presentation, negotiation and liaison skills are required.
Results-driven with a history of intentional cultivation, asking and stewardship skills.
Basic understanding of budgets and financial statements.
Orientation for creative problem-solving as well as identifying and developing strategic opportunities for expanded partnership.
Experience managing staff and the ability to facilitate collaboration and achieve results while working on multiple programs or projects.
Resourceful and entrepreneurial skills with the flexibility to work in a fast-paced environment as well as adaptability for changing circumstances.
Willing to work outside standard established business hours.
Excellent ability to prioritize and organize with strong attention to detail.
Demonstrate initiative, self-motivation and the ability to absorb new information rapidly.
Strong local network and knowledge of the Chicago non-profit sector.
Strong commitment to Cradles to Crayons’ mission; Knowledge and understanding of relevant social issues.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with CRM systems such as Salesforce or Raiser’s Edge and research tools such as Foundation Directory or GrantStation.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

The estimated salary range for this position is $92,000-98,000 based on geographic labor market.

Cradles to Crayons is committed to pay equity and uses geographic benchmarks to ensure fair compensation. The compensation offered to the successful candidate may vary from the posted range based on work experience, education, and/or skill level, among other things.

This is a benefits-eligible position. Cradles to Crayons offers a generous benefits package, which includes, but is not limited to:

Health benefits including medical, dental, vision and a Health Reimbursement Arrangement.
A monthly cell phone and internet usage stipend
Employer-sponsored short- and long-term disability and basic life insurance
Retirement plan matching
Annual professional development stipend

DIVERSITY IS OUR STRENGTH:

Diversity and Inclusiveness are core values at Cradles to Crayons, and we continuously strive to be a team where everyone feels welcome and supported. It is the policy of Cradles to Crayons to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information and/or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Individuals from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

This is a warehouse environment and normal changes in temperature are to be expected while working inside the warehouse or outside, on or around the loading dock. There are no hazardous or significantly unpleasant conditions.

ACCOMMODATION:

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodations will be made by Cradles to Crayons which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others, or which impose undue hardships on the organization.

TO APPLY:

Please send a cover letter and resume with relevant experience tohttps://www.cradlestocrayons.org/what-we-do/careers/

Cradles To Crayons Inc

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Director of Corporate Relations