Strategic Partnerships Manager

Job Title: Strategic Partnerships Manager

Reports to: Director of Development

Status: Full-time, Exempt

Hours: Monday – Friday (40 hours/week), occasional weekends/after-hour events

Location: Hybrid, South County Admin Building (82 Coromar Drive, Goleta, CA 93117)

Salary Range: $70,000 – $80,000 annually (Band 3), taxable, commensurate with experience

About the Organization

The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County (FBSBC) is committed to ending hunger and transforming the health of Santa Barbara County through good nutrition. With nutrition education, disaster preparedness, environmental sustainability, and community resilience at the forefront of our mission, we are working to solve the underlying causes of hunger in Santa Barbara County.

About the Position

The Strategic Partnerships Manager plays a key leadership role within the Development and Strategy team, supporting the Foodbank’s mission through relationship-building and partnership development. This position is responsible for managing and expanding corporate, foundation, and community-based partnerships; executing engagement campaigns; and aligning partnership activity with fundraising goals.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and strong communicator with a passion for mission-driven work, experience managing high-impact partnerships, and the ability to lead through collaboration and connection.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement and maintain a comprehensive partnership plan to cultivate and grow corporate, foundation, and community-based support.
• Supervise the Development Coordinator, guiding day-to-day priorities and contributing to overall departmental success.
• Manage and grow a portfolio of corporate, foundation, and community partners through engagement, stewardship, and activation.
• Lead signature corporate engagement efforts, including the annual Corporate Challenge, cause-marketing campaigns, and third-party fundraising events.
• Collaborate with the Marketing team to ensure meaningful visibility for our partners across digital and traditional platforms.
• Represent the Foodbank at networking events, community forums, and corporate gatherings to maintain a strong presence and identify new opportunities.
• Provide regular reports and insights to the Director of Development and Chief Development and Strategy Officer on partnership performance and impact.
• Align messaging and activities with our policy and advocacy efforts, translating complex initiatives into partner-friendly language.
• Coordinate across internal teams to ensure partnership deliverables and communications are consistent and timely.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, communications, business, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in development, corporate relations, community partnerships, or related work.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate and manage partnerships and stakeholder relationships.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to present information clearly to varied audiences.
• Proficiency with CRM systems (Salesforce preferred), Microsoft Office Suite, and data tracking or reporting tools.
• Ability to represent the organization with professionalism and integrity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading, supervising, and/or supporting teams, with the ability to manage timelines and deliverables.
• Prior experience in nonprofit, community-based, or mission-driven work
• Familiarity with third-party fundraising, cause-marketing campaigns, or national network engagement (e.g., Feeding America).
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

Why Join Us?

At the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, we believe in taking care of our team members. We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your health, professional growth, and overall well-being:

• Generous Paid Time Off: Enjoy 18 days of accrued Paid Time Off for new hires, with additional days awarded as you grow with us.
• Paid Holidays: Take advantage of 13 paid holidays throughout the year to relax and recharge.
• Health Insurance: Benefit from medical, dental, and vision insurance, with 100% of the employee premium covered by the Foodbank.
• Retirement Savings Plan: Plan for your future with an optional retirement savings plan that includes a 3% employer match.
• Wellness Bonus: We provide a $500 annual taxable Wellness Bonus to support your commitment to healthy living and work-life balance.
• Professional Development: Access ongoing professional training opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.
• Employee Assistance Program: Utilize our Employee Assistance Program for personal and work-related counseling and support, ensuring you have the resources you need to thrive

Please note that we review applications on a rolling basis but priority will be made for applications received before May 23, 2025.

At the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, we believe in taking care of our team members. We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your health, professional growth, and overall well-being:

• Generous Paid Time Off: Enjoy 18 days of accrued Paid Time Off for new hires, with additional days awarded as you grow with us.
• Paid Holidays: Take advantage of 13 paid holidays throughout the year to relax and recharge.
• Health Insurance: Benefit from medical, dental, and vision insurance, with 100% of the employee premium covered by the Foodbank.
• Retirement Savings Plan: Plan for your future with an optional retirement savings plan that includes a 3% employer match.
• Wellness Bonus: We provide a $500 annual taxable Wellness Bonus to support your commitment to healthy living and work-life balance.
• Professional Development: Access ongoing professional training opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.
• Employee Assistance Program: Utilize our Employee Assistance Program for personal and work-related counseling and support, ensuring you have the resources you need to thrive