Partnership and Development Manager

Partnership and Development Manager

Community Engagement Team

The City of Alexandria's Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA) Department is seeking an energetic, organized, and experienced professional to join our Community Engagement team as the Partnership and Development Manager. The ideal candidate will bring vision, creativity, and drive to achieve ambitious goals in partnership-building, sponsorship, and fundraising.

Position Overview

As part of RPCA's CAPRA-accredited department, the Partnership and Development (P&D) Manager will plan, implement, and oversee fundraising efforts including event and program sponsorships, grants, donor cultivation and recognition, scholarships, and "PARKnerships" - collaborative initiatives supporting the development and operation of recreational and park facilities and programs on City property. This role focuses on building mutually beneficial partnerships that enhance services to Alexandria and expand RPCA's operational capacity. The P&D Manager will streamline resources and processes to facilitate effective partnerships and fundraising across all RPCA divisions, leveraging volunteer opportunities, collaborations, and diverse fundraising strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop innovative funding strategies to support RPCA's priorities, projects, programs, and services; manage grant applications and reporting processes.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with City staff, residents, businesses, boards, commissions, and community organizations to advance department priorities through engagement, fundraising, and partnerships.
• Lead strategic planning initiatives by analyzing, monitoring, and evaluating ongoing efforts.
• Manage, expand, and enhance the department's PARKnership program.
• Collaborate with staff and community partners to identify new opportunities for projects and partnerships.
• Develop and manage a standardized volunteer recruitment and management system.
• Coordinate with the RPCA Marketing Team to create strategies and materials that encourage civic involvement and support fundraising and partnership initiatives.
• Mobilize community resources to maximize program and service impact.
• Recruit, train, and supervise college interns and seasonal staff as needed.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

Bachelor's Degree and five years of relevant professional experience or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in fundraising, grant writing, alternative funding strategies, project and budget management, community outreach, and public communication.
• Experience in community partnership development and volunteer management.
• Advanced certification or training through the Association of Fundraising Professionals or a similar organization.
• Project management certification and/or advanced skill-level.
• In-depth knowledge of community parks, recreation, facilities, and cultural programs.
• Excellent public speaking, listening, and writing skills tailored to diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage donors, partners, volunteers, and diverse stakeholders effectively.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Smartsheet, Teams, and donor database management, with the ability to generate data and reports.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented with demonstrated skills in research, analytics, project, and financial management.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and public service is essential.

Notes

Candidates for this position are subject to a pre-screening background check and drug screening.