Partnership Development Director, Food & Ag Sustainability Markets

Farm Journal is working to accelerate the transition to more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems. Farm Journal leverages the trust, data, extensive reach, and profound insights cultivated by America’s premier agricultural information and insights company. We collaborate with food companies, consumer packaged goods (CPG) firms, NGOs, foundations, universities, and governmental agencies to propel their sustainable agriculture initiatives, programs, products, and services forward.

The Partnership Development Director is responsible for identifying new client and partner opportunities focusing on NGOs, foundations, universities, and government agencies with their sustainability and regenerative agriculture goals. This vital, high-profile role is responsible for delivering Farm Journal’s capabilities to support these organizations in achieving their goals, strategies and programs. We seek a candidate with a demonstrable history of success and a well-connected network in strategic and consultative selling within the realms of food, agriculture, and enterprise data. Additional valuable experience includes engagement with NGOs, foundations, universities, and government entities. Experience in the sustainability and food supply chain space is also a big plus.

This position will inherit an existing book of partners and be responsible for retaining and growing those relationships. A successful candidate will be one who is client focused, influential, high energy, self-motivated and goal driven. Dynamic communication and presentation skills are a must. An ability to thrive in a fast-paced and fast-changing environment is essential.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Aggressively grow new relationships within the food and agricultural sustainability sector
• Retain greater than 94% of the existing book of business
• Establish new relationships and identify opportunities with appropriate decision makers at NGOs, foundations, universities, and government agencies by understanding their sustainability challenges and goals
• Apply Farm Journal’s capabilities and assets to solve client and prospect challenges
• Identify, package and productize Farm Journal capabilities for new markets and segments
• Represent Farm Journal and the Trust in Food initiative at industry events

EDUCATION/SKILLS/PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Qualifications include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Experience in sales, consulting, business development, or service(s) business is required
• 5+ year experience in program management, corporate partnerships, fundraising and/or consultative selling
• Previous experience identifying and leading new business initiatives
• Ability to create strong relationships and communicate effectively
• Expertise at maintaining a high level of activity to produce results in a team environment
• Self-motivated and ability to work independently while maintaining a positive and upbeat attitude

ATTRIBUTES NEEDED

• Client focused - ability to understand internal/external clients needs, opportunities and concerns in the short to long-term and to provide sounds recommendations and/or solutions
• Achievement focused – generate results by assuming responsibility for one’s performance, and recognizing opportunities and acting efficiently and with the given deadlines
• Strategic networking – works to build and maintain friendly, trustworthy and open internal and external relationships and networks with people who are, or might become, important actors in achieving strategic-related goals
• Negotiating – ability to work towards win-win outcomes
• Influential - intent to convince others in an honest, respectful and sensitive manner in order to get them to go along with one’s objectives
• Bravery - undeterred in reaching key decision makers, and ability to conduct high-level interactions
• Fast on your feet, compelling, and likable
• Drive for discovery, asking questions at all levels for the best outcome
• Innovative & creative - not afraid to re-imagine processes or possibilities—or create new ones—that serve clients and meet business goals.
• Team Player - belief that communication, collaboration and accountability are keys to being a great teammate.