Senior Manager, Center for Corporate Diplomacy

at  Meridian International Center

Title: Senior Manager, Center for Corporate Diplomacy
Employment Status: Exempt
Salary: $68,250-89,250, Commensurate with Experience
Supervisor Title: Senior Director, Center for Corporate Diplomacy
Date Revised: February 2024
Summary of Position:
Meridian is seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial Senior Manager for our Center for Corporate Diplomacy to cultivate and leverage relationships with members of Meridian’s Corporate Council to increase growth and engagement. Under the supervision of the Senior Director for the Center for Corporate Diplomacy, the Senior Manager works with the Center for Corporate Diplomacy team within the External Affairs division at large to identify new corporate donor prospects and build upon Meridian’s corporate engagement program. The successful Senior Manager will possess a blend of skills and experiences tailored to the unique demands of corporate fundraising and client management, including front-line experience raising gifts at six to seven figure level, stakeholder engagement and retention, program management, and superb client management abilities. A strong familiarity with corporations with global corporate social responsibility initiatives, international relations, and international trade issues preferred.
This position is located in Washington D.C. and Meridian requires MD, DC, or VA residence for all employees. The position may work partially remotely until further notice.

Position Responsibilities:

• Identify and engage new corporate donor prospects at the $30,000 level and above to build a robust pipeline of donor prospects for Meridian’s corporate engagement program
• Personally cultivate, solicit, and close Meridian’s corporate donors and prospects, in conjunction with the Center for Corporate Diplomacy and Senior Leadership team
• Manage and steward a portfolio of corporate donors with specific annual goals and objectives, leading strategy sessions and brainstorming with partners, communicating and engaging regularly (through in person meetings/calls/emails) to ensure continued financial support and partnership
• Draft solicitations, proposals, concept notes and other materials in support of Center for Corporate Diplomacy growth efforts; synthesize companies needs with Meridian programs and turn abstract partnership concepts into clear and accessible language
• Support fundraising efforts on Meridian’s flagship and inter-departmental convening programs, including the Meridian Summit and Ball, Diplomacy Forum, and other engagements
• Support corporate events as needed by identifying high level speakers and relevant topical themes to the corporate community, building an audience of interested stakeholders etc.
• Suggest and support connecting corporate partners into Meridian’s wider exchange work, and identify potential customized exchange opportunities with the private sector
• Support the Center for Corporate Diplomacy’s administrative needs, including database management/donor pipeline tracking, financial processing
• Support communication functions as needed including developing collateral, e-newsletters, digital/social media content
• Forge and maintain relationships with key strategic players in the private sector/CSR community, to maintain a financial acumen/presence in all corporate development initiatives.
• Work cooperatively across Meridian departments to ensure that corporate members are engaged in meaningful, relevant, and timely programming.
• Mentor and build skills in Center for Corporate Diplomacy team
• Responsible for completing all organizational administrative responsibilities in a timely manner and meeting all organizational administrative deadlines
• Other duties as assigned

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Economics, International Relations or related field preferred
• 5-7 years of related experience
• Confident and accomplished front-line fundraising experience and a proven ability to identify, engage, solicit and close corporate donors independently
• Or any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Knowledge and understanding of complex international business issues including trade
• Interest in working at a mission-driven organization that connects business with government and diplomatic leaders to collaborate on global challenges
• Demonstrated network of strong relationships in the corporate government/international affairs community
• Ability to develop and deliver strong presentations (verbally and written) to persuade high-level audiences and stakeholders
• Exceptional organizational and multi-tasking abilities and program management experience
• Knowledge of finance, marketing and business development function who can influence others by building trust
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment, including building strategic partnerships
• Demonstrated strategic thinking and planning skills and the ability to communicate strategic plans to the team and others.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across the enterprise in an extremely complex organization.
• Ability to gain internal respect and build consensus.
• Strong inter-cultural communication skills; maturity, cultural sensitivity, and tact suitable for working with and collaborating with global partners and stakeholders

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams is necessary for this role
• Experience with Canva, Zoom, and Salesforce is helpful

• Identify and engage new corporate donor prospects at the $30,000 level and above to build a robust pipeline of donor prospects for Meridian’s corporate engagement program
• Personally cultivate, solicit, and close Meridian’s corporate donors and prospects, in conjunction with the Center for Corporate Diplomacy and Senior Leadership team
• Manage and steward a portfolio of corporate donors with specific annual goals and objectives, leading strategy sessions and brainstorming with partners, communicating and engaging regularly (through in person meetings/calls/emails) to ensure continued financial support and partnership
• Draft solicitations, proposals, concept notes and other materials in support of Center for Corporate Diplomacy growth efforts; synthesize companies needs with Meridian programs and turn abstract partnership concepts into clear and accessible language
• Support fundraising efforts on Meridian’s flagship and inter-departmental convening programs, including the Meridian Summit and Ball, Diplomacy Forum, and other engagements
• Support corporate events as needed by identifying high level speakers and relevant topical themes to the corporate community, building an audience of interested stakeholders etc.
• Suggest and support connecting corporate partners into Meridian’s wider exchange work, and identify potential customized exchange opportunities with the private sector
• Support the Center for Corporate Diplomacy’s administrative needs, including database management/donor pipeline tracking, financial processing
• Support communication functions as needed including developing collateral, e-newsletters, digital/social media content
• Forge and maintain relationships with key strategic players in the private sector/CSR community, to maintain a financial acumen/presence in all corporate development initiatives.
• Work cooperatively across Meridian departments to ensure that corporate members are engaged in meaningful, relevant, and timely programming.
• Mentor and build skills in Center for Corporate Diplomacy team
• Responsible for completing all organizational administrative responsibilities in a timely manner and meeting all organizational administrative deadlines
• Other duties as assigne