📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Strategic Partnerships Manager
🔹 Company: Church Benefits Association
🔹 Location: Remote (United States)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Nonprofit, Insurance and Employee Benefit Funds
🔹 Date Posted: April 22, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote (with travel)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving member cost savings and CBA revenue growth through vendor partnerships, purchasing coalitions, and conference sponsorships.
- Managing vendor relationships to increase participation, expand programs, and grow sponsorship revenue.
- Supporting membership growth by promoting purchasing coalitions as a key membership benefit.
- Working remotely with occasional travel to conferences, member meetings, and vendor events.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of sales, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, with a focus on driving financial results.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Grow and Optimize Purchasing Coalitions:
- Increase coalition participation and vendor engagement with CBA members.
- Serve as primary liaison between coalition vendors and CBA members.
- Identify and launch new coalitions and discount programs with CBA SMEs.
- Negotiate vendor agreements with financial returns to CBA.
- Track coalition participation, vendor performance, and financial impact.
✅ Expand Conference Sponsorships & Vendor Engagement:
- Increase conference sponsorship revenue to meet or exceed targets.
- Design sponsorship packages aligned with vendor and member goals.
- Manage vendor participation at the annual conference to maximize value.
- Oversee exhibitor space, materials, networking, and educational sessions.
- Track sponsorship outcomes and recommend improvements.
- Develop year-round vendor engagement opportunities beyond the conference.
✅ Support Membership Growth:
- Promote purchasing coalitions as a key membership benefit.
- Support outreach to prospective members and maintain an active pipeline.
- Leverage current members for referrals and introductions.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong communication, presentation, and analytical skills to manage vendor relationships, track program performance, and drive revenue growth.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 5+ years in partnerships, vendor relations, business development, or similar
Required Skills:
- Strong vendor relationship, negotiation, and contract skills
- Proven ability to meet/exceed revenue targets
- Experience with sponsorship or partnership programs
- Ability to analyze financial data and program performance
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Self-motivated, organized, and effective in remote work
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in employee benefits or association management
- Familiarity with faith-based organizations or nonprofits
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in nonprofit organizations or employee benefits may find this role particularly appealing and well-suited to their skillset.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $85,000 to $95,000 USD per year
Benefits:
- Comprehensive benefits package
Working Hours: Full-time, with an estimated 1 trip per month for travel
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is competitive for the nonprofit sector and reflects the experience and skills required for this role.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: The Church Benefits Association operates in the insurance and employee benefit funds sector, focusing on faith-based organizations.
Company Size: Small (1-10 employees), which may offer a more intimate work environment and closer collaboration with leadership.
Founded: 1915, with a rich history of fostering interfaith collaboration and enhancing benefit programs for member organizations.
Company Description:
- Fosters interfaith collaboration, education, and professional relationships
- Enhances benefit programs and services of member organizations
- Focuses on faith-based benefit providers, representing various Christian and Jewish denominations
Company Specialties:
- Church Plans and Interfaith
Company Website: http://churchbenefitsassociation.org
ASSUMPTION: The Church Benefits Association is a well-established nonprofit with a clear mission and values, focusing on interfaith collaboration and enhancing benefit programs for member organizations.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level, with opportunities for growth and impact within the organization
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Executive Director
Work Arrangement: Remote with occasional travel (about 1 trip per month)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to expand vendor partnerships and sponsorships, driving revenue growth
- Opportunity to support membership growth and contribute to the organization's strategic plan
- Possibility to develop and refine skills in vendor management, sales, and negotiation
ASSUMPTION: This role offers growth opportunities through driving revenue growth, supporting membership expansion, and developing skills in vendor management and sales.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Remote, with occasional travel to conferences, member meetings, and vendor events
Office Location(s): Minneapolis, Minnesota
Geographic Context:
- Minneapolis is located in the Midwest, with a population of approximately 430,000
- The city is known for its vibrant arts scene, parks, and cultural attractions
- Minneapolis has a humid continental climate, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters
Work Schedule: Full-time, with an estimated 1 trip per month for travel
ASSUMPTION: The remote work environment with occasional travel offers flexibility and the opportunity to work from various locations, while still allowing for in-person collaboration and networking.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- In-depth interview with the Executive Director
- Final interview with key stakeholders
Key Assessment Areas:
- Sales and negotiation skills
- Vendor management experience
- Alignment with company mission and values
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience in vendor relations, partnerships, or business development
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize skills and experiences that match the required qualifications
- Prepare examples of successful vendor negotiations, sponsorships, or revenue growth initiatives
- Research the Church Benefits Association and its mission to demonstrate your fit and enthusiasm for the role
ATS Keywords: Vendor Relations, Partnerships, Business Development, Revenue Growth, Sponsorships, Negotiation, Contract Skills, Remote Work
ASSUMPTION: The application process will focus on assessing candidates' sales, negotiation, and vendor management skills, as well as their alignment with the company's mission and values.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) for vendor management and tracking
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello) for task organization and collaboration
- Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams) for remote work
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for vendor management, sales, and remote collaboration.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Generous in Spirit
- Collaborative in Approach
- Respectful of Differences
- Welcoming of Diversity
Work Style:
- Self-motivated and organized, with the ability to work independently
- Strong communication and presentation skills
- Adaptable and responsive to vendor needs and market trends
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you embody the company values in your work?
- How do you approach building and maintaining strong vendor relationships?
- How do you stay organized and motivated while working remotely?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who demonstrate a strong fit with the company's values and work style will be well-suited to this role and the organization's culture.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple vendor relationships and priorities
- Meeting or exceeding revenue targets in a competitive market
- Balancing remote work with occasional travel and in-person collaboration
- Adapting to the unique needs and preferences of faith-based organizations
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong vendor management skills, strategic thinking, and a commitment to the company's mission and values.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike other partnership or business development roles, this position focuses on faith-based organizations and interfaith collaboration
- This role offers the opportunity to work in the nonprofit sector, with a clear mission and values focus
- Compared to other remote roles, this position offers occasional travel and in-person collaboration opportunities
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider the unique aspects of this role, such as its focus on faith-based organizations and the balance between remote work and occasional travel.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a new vendor partnership program to drive revenue growth
- Negotiating vendor agreements to maximize financial returns for the Church Benefits Association
- Expanding conference sponsorship opportunities to increase revenue and member value
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects reflect the key responsibilities and required skills for the Strategic Partnerships Manager role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role support the organization's strategic plan and mission?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does the company support remote employees and foster collaboration?
- What opportunities are there for growth and development within the organization?
- How does the company measure the success of vendor partnerships and sponsorships?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions will help candidates better understand the role, the organization, and the opportunities for growth and success.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills
- Prepare examples of successful vendor negotiations, sponsorships, or revenue growth initiatives
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
