Corporate Relations Manager

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.

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…