Sports Relations Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description

 SOMN (Special Olympics Minnesota) is a chapter of the world's largest organization advocating for the advancement and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities, and through current sports, health, and leadership programs engaging people with and without disabilities, provides a positive impact for Minnesotans of every age and every ability.   

Position Summary 

The Corporate Relations Manager is responsible for identifying, cultivating, securing, and stewarding corporate partnerships that advance the mission and fundraising goals of Special Olympics Minnesota. This position supports the growth of SOMN's corporate partnership portfolio through new business development, account management, sponsor engagement, proposal development, event participation, employee volunteer opportunities, and post-event stewardship. 

This role works closely with the Development Team, Special Events Team, Program Team, and Marketing and Communications Team to ensure corporate partners receive meaningful engagement opportunities, high-quality service, and clear connection to SOMN's mission, programs, events, athletes, and community impact. 

Direct Report:  Director of Corporate Relations 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

Corporate Partnership Development 

• Identify, research, cultivate, and secure new corporate partnership opportunities that align with SOMN's mission, fundraising priorities, programs, and events. 
• Support the expansion of SOMN's corporate partnership portfolio through proactive outreach, relationship building, and strategic engagement. 
• Develop sponsor proposals, partnership materials, presentations, and related resources for cultivation, confirmation, and renewal of corporate partnerships. 
• Track historical partnership data, sponsor commitments, benefits, deliverables, and engagement outcomes in appropriate systems. 
• Collaborate with internal teams to identify opportunities for corporate partners to support SOMN through sponsorship, employee volunteerism, in-kind support, fundraising teams, event participation, and mission engagement. 

Corporate Partner Stewardship and Account Management 

• Serve as a primary relationship manager for assigned corporate partners and sponsor contacts. 
• Provide high-quality customer service to corporate partners, their primary contacts, and participating employees. 
• Coordinate the fulfillment of sponsor rights and benefits in collaboration with Development, Marketing and Communications, Program, and Special Events staff. 
• Prepare sponsor recaps, stewardship reports, impact summaries, and other follow-up materials that demonstrate partner value and mission impact. 
• Maintain regular communication with corporate partners to strengthen relationships, increase engagement, and support renewal opportunities. 

Event and Volunteer Engagement 

• Coordinate corporate partner participation in SOMN events, including Polar Plunge events, state and regional competitions, fundraising events, volunteer opportunities, and other mission-based activities. 
• Support employee volunteer opportunities connected to corporate partnerships, including communication, registration, preparation, and on-site coordination as needed. 
• Provide on-site event support, which may include volunteer training and supervision, event setup and teardown, participant registration and check-in, troubleshooting, supply preparation, and coordination with event staff. 
• Assist with meetings, trainings, online events, and partner engagement activities, including preparation of materials, supplies, equipment, and related logistics. 

Data, Administration, and Internal Coordination 

• Collect, enter, update, and manage partner information, registration details, contact records, sponsorship data, event participation information, and other records in appropriate databases and systems. 
• Use Microsoft 365, CRM systems, and other technology platforms to support partnership management, communication, reporting, and collaboration. 
• Maintain organized records, files, materials, and reports related to corporate partnerships and sponsor engagement. 
• Participate in shared Development Department responsibilities, including team meetings, department meetings, staff meetings, routine communications, inventory support, supply organization, and material procurement. 
• Support other SOMN events, initiatives, and organizational activities as assigned. 

Expected Outcomes 

• SOMN expands and strengthens its portfolio of mutually beneficial corporate partnerships. 
• Corporate partners receive responsive, professional, and mission-centered service that positively represents SOMN in the community. 
• Corporate partners and employees experience meaningful engagement with SOMN's mission, programs, events, athletes, and statewide impact. 
• Sponsor proposals, recaps, stewardship materials, and partnership records are accurate, timely, compelling, and aligned with organizational standards. 
• Events, partner activations, and related activities meet or exceed established goals and quality expectations. 
• Collaboration, communication, and cooperation with staff, volunteers, partners, and stakeholders are consistently demonstrated. 
• Sufficient knowledge of SOMN processes, systems, and procedures is developed and maintained to support staff, partners, volunteers, and participants effectively. 

Key Internal Working Relationships 

This position works closely with: 

• Corporate Partnerships Team 
• Special Events Team 
• Development Team 
• Program Team 
• Marketing and Communications Team 
• Finance and Operations staff, as needed 
• Other SOMN staff involved in events, programs, fundraising, communications, and partner engagement 

Key External Working Relationships 

This position works closely with: 

• Corporate partner contacts 
• Corporate partner employees and volunteer groups 
• Prospective corporate partners 
• Event participants, volunteers, and community stakeholders 
• Vendors, service providers, and other external contacts as assigned 

Required Qualifications 

• One to three years of experience in fundraising, sales, marketing, business development, nonprofit development, account management, corporate relations, or a related field. 
• Experience managing multiple projects, deadlines, events, and stakeholder relationships in a fast-paced environment. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare professional outreach materials, proposals, reports, and stewardship communications. 
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships, provide strong customer service, and represent an organization professionally with external partners. 
• Experience entering, tracking, and managing data in CRM systems, donor databases, or similar platforms. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint. 
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, follow-through, and ability to balance competing priorities. 
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with volunteers, partners, participants, and staff. 
• Must pass a background check as part of the hiring process.  

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience with nonprofit fundraising, corporate sponsorships, donor stewardship, or cause-related marketing. 
• Experience using Blackbaud Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, CERVIS, Games Management System, or similar database systems. 
• Experience using Adobe Acrobat, InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, or similar design and communication tools. 
• Experience supporting fundraising events, volunteer engagement, community events, or large-scale outdoor events. 
• Familiarity with Special Olympics Minnesota's mission, programs, events, and statewide impact. 

Work Schedule 

This is a full-time. The regular schedule is typically Monday through Friday during daytime business hours. Occasional evening and weekend work is required for events, partner engagement, meetings, trainings, and other organizational activities scheduled in advance. 

SOMN uses a hybrid work environment for Minneapolis office staff. This position is expected to work regularly from SOMN's Minneapolis office and may work remotely in accordance with organizational expectations and business needs. 

Work Environment 

This position operates in a combination of office, remote, indoor event, outdoor event, meeting, storage, and community-based environments. Work may include: 

• Office-based work using a computer and standard office equipment. 
• Remote work using Microsoft 365, Teams, and other communication platforms. 
• Indoor non-office work in meeting spaces, event venues, storage areas, and training locations. 
• Outdoor event work, including Polar Plunge events, competitions, fundraising events, and community activities. 
• Work in environments with large crowds, loud or distracting noises, music, weather conditions, cold, heat, snow, ice, or other event-related conditions. 
• Travel to meetings, partner locations, events, and activities, primarily within the Twin Cities metro area and occasionally statewide. 

Equipment and Technology Used 

This position may require regular use of: 

• Desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices. 
• Microsoft 365 applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint. 
• CRM and database systems, including donor, volunteer, registration, and event management platforms. 
• Adobe Creative Suite or similar tools for proposals, reports, and partner materials. 
• Standard office equipment, including phones, printers, copiers, and scanners. 
• Event equipment and supplies, which may include tents, barricades, ladders, hand tools, pipe and drape, folding tables, folding chairs, sound systems, video displays, portable generators, dollies, hand trucks, carts, pallet jacks, cargo vans, box trucks, and other equipment used to support SOMN events. 

Physical Requirements 

The physical requirements described below are representative of those needed to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Regular and sometimes extended use of a computer and standard office equipment. 
• Ability to remain in a stationary position for one to two hours at a time during computer work or meetings. 
• Ability to move within office spaces, event venues, storage areas, and outdoor event sites. 
• Frequent communication with others in person, by telephone, in writing, and through video meetings. 
• Ability to work in environments with loud noise, crowds, music, weather conditions, and event-related distractions. 
• Ability to assist with transportation, organization, setup, teardown, and movement of event supplies, materials, and equipment using carts, dollies, hand trucks, or similar resources. 
• Ability to travel to meetings, events, and activities as required. 

Other Duties 

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the role. Special Olympics Minnesota may revise, add, or remove duties and responsibilities based on organizational needs. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned. 

Benefits:  

Our comprehensive benefits package includes Health, Dental,?and Vision Insurance; Life, AD&D,?and?Long-Term?Disability Insurance; Flexible Spending Accounts, 401K plan, Flexible Time Off and Paid holidays.? 

Equal Opportunity Statement 

Special Olympics Minnesota is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and equitable workplace. SOMN provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on any status protected by federal, state, or local law.