RED KETTLE PARTNERS DIRECTOR

About the Organization

The Salvation Army is an international movement and an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its mission is to meet human needs without discrimination. National Headquarters (NHQ) supports the work of The Salvation Army across the United States and internationally by providing leadership, resources, and strategic support to territorial and local operations.

The Red Kettle Partnerships Director develops and leads a comprehensive national strategy to expand and strengthen partnerships supporting The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign and related Christmas fundraising initiatives. Reporting to the Senior Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, this role collaborates with National Headquarters leadership, territorial staff, and corporate partners to maximize fundraising revenue, operational effectiveness, and national visibility.

This position serves as the primary national lead for key Red Kettle partners, with major emphasis on Walmart and Sam’s Club. Responsibilities include managing national agreements, supporting operational systems and training, driving campaign expansion, and identifying strategic growth opportunities. The role also advances initiatives such as Round Up programs, point-of-sale campaigns, cause marketing, in-kind support, and broader engagement with Emergency Disaster Services and other Salvation Army priorities.

NATIONAL RED KETTLE PARTNERSHIP STRATEGY

• Develops, implements, and manages a strong national partnership strategy focused specifically on the growth and effectiveness of The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign and related Christmas fundraising partnerships.
• Serves as primary relationship manager, in collaboration with territorial and divisional leadership, for national Red Kettle and Christmas campaign partners whose engagement extends beyond a single territory.
• Develops and strengthens long-term relationships with corporate partners to increase fundraising revenue, operational support, and campaign visibility through Red Kettle initiatives, Round Up programs, point-of-sale campaigns, cause marketing efforts, sponsorships, and in-kind support.

Works collaboratively with territorial and divisional staff to support successful partnership activation through communication, training, shared resources, and best practices while ensuring consistent execution and reporting.

• Maintains accurate and organized records of national partner agreements, campaign performance, reporting requirements, operational processes, and stewardship activities.
• Ensures timely execution, monitoring, and reporting for all partnership initiatives and related projects.
• Works closely with the Communications Department and other internal stakeholders to ensure coordinated messaging, promotion, branding, and storytelling related to national Red Kettle partnerships and campaigns across National Headquarters communication channels.
• Facilitates the drafting and coordination of agreements, concept papers, fund distribution documentation, and other partnership-related materials, ensuring all appropriate legal and policy reviews are completed prior to execution.
• Obtains and maintains positive and professional relationships with all contacts, prospects, legal entities, territorial representatives, and national stakeholders connected to Red Kettle partnerships.

WALMART AND SAM’S CLUB PARTNERSHIP LEADERSHIP

• Leads and manages The Salvation Army’s national relationship with Walmart and Sam’s Club as it relates to Red Kettle Campaign operations, fundraising growth, and strategic partnership development.
• Works to secure and expand early Red Kettle placements at Walmart and Sam’s Club locations nationwide in collaboration with territorial and divisional staff.
• Oversees and supports the successful implementation and expansion of the Angel Tree program within Walmart locations.
• Ensures accurate management and utilization of Walmart operational tools and systems, including but not limited to Deed, Space Request platforms, reporting systems, and other required partnership tools.
• Develops and delivers training, guidance, and support for Salvation Army personnel across the country related to Walmart and Sam’s Club systems, operational requirements, and campaign execution.
• Collaborates with Walmart and Sam’s Club representatives and Salvation Army leadership to identify opportunities to scale and strengthen the partnership nationally.
• Pursues opportunities to maximize fundraising growth through Round Up programs, point-of-sale initiatives, in-store campaigns, digital engagement opportunities, and related fundraising strategies.
• Works collaboratively with Emergency Disaster Services leadership and corporate representatives to strengthen Walmart and Sam’s Club engagement in disaster response, preparedness, recovery, and related national initiatives.

NATIONAL PARTNER CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT

• Leads and manages a portfolio of additional national Red Kettle and Christmas campaign partners, ensuring strong stewardship, effective communication, and consistent operational execution.
• Works to secure early campaign starts, maximize participation levels, and increase fundraising effectiveness across all national Red Kettle partner relationships.
• Develops and supports opportunities for expanded fundraising through cause marketing initiatives, point-of-sale campaigns, sponsorships, in-kind donations, employee engagement opportunities, and related campaign activations.
• Collaborates with territorial and divisional staff to ensure campaign standards, operational expectations, and partnership commitments are fulfilled consistently nationwide.
• Provides guidance and support related to donor stewardship, reporting, campaign communication, and relationship management practices connected to national Red Kettle partners.
• Works collaboratively with Communications staff to promote partner campaigns, fundraising successes, community impact stories, and strategic initiatives through appropriate media and communication channels.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as staff support to appropriate national committees, advisory groups, and leadership meetings related to Red Kettle partnerships and campaign initiatives; prepares and presents reports as requested.
• Works closely with supervisor to administer the affairs of the office within the approved budget; follows prescribed procedures in making authorized expenditures and obtaining appropriate approvals according to NHQ policy.
• Provides positive supervisory leadership to assigned employee(s), ensuring compliance with all Salvation Army personnel policies and procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of National Headquarters fundraising and partnership objectives.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

Performs other related projects and departmental work as assigned by the NCRD Secretary.

Participation in approved conferences and seminars.

Travels as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree in related field;

5 years or more experience with professional fundraising and corporate partnerships with strong documented track record of success.

Success with securing corporate gifts at six-figure or higher level.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

Valid driver’s license.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Excellent verbal and written communication skills and follow-up for successful closure of gift.

Strong and effective interpersonal and persuasive skills, modeling effective relationship management and demonstrating emotional intelligence/situational awareness.

Excellent strategic assessment, planning and creative proposal development skills.

Strong organizational skills, follow through and attention to detail.

Proven leadership in funding and partnership development, especially in the area of corporate relationships and giving.

Skilled in developing collaborative approaches in harmony with local Army stakeholders for win-win outcomes.

Ability to effectively work toward and monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of on-going plans and budgets.

Knowledge of cause-marketing and product tie-in best practices and how to effectively apply such options to dialogue with prospective corporate funders for the Army’s benefit.

Ability to apply knowledge of Army policies and procedures and ability to communicate and follow accurate interpretation of the same.

Ability to travel as necessary to carry out responsibilities and assignments.

Ability to be a driven self-starter and innovator; to work independently with minimum supervision, while working collaboratively and cooperatively under the direction of department and national leadership

Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment while effectively managing multiple competing priorities.

Team player, engaging effectively and respectfully with other staff for accomplishment of organizational and departmental goals.

A fundraiser at heart, able to successfully engage with corporate decision-makers and leadership volunteers through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activity.

Understanding of prospect identification and research and relationship management approaches.

Ability to communicate effectively with corporate executives and negotiate programs that involve six and seven- figure financial opportunities for The Salvation Army.

Ability to make sound, logical interpretations of established guidelines and regulations quickly.

Ability to establish effective and financially productive relationships with corporations and foundations.

Proven ability to provide effective leadership to multiple internal audiences.

Ability to work cooperatively with superiors, local and national advisory board members, territorial/divisional officers and staff, and all levels of NHQ staff.

BENEFITS:

• Health insurance (Including Dental, Vision & Hearing)
• Group & Voluntary Term Life Insurance
• FSA
• 403(B)
• Pension plan
• Paid time off
• Free lunch
• Free parking

Ability to Commute:

• Alexandria, VA 22314 (Required)

Work Location: In person

BENEFITS:

• Health insurance (Including Dental, Vision & Hearing)
• Group & Voluntary Term Life Insurance
• FSA
• 403(B)
• Pension plan
• Paid time off
• Free lunch
• Free parking