Job Description

Director Of Partnerships

Coral Gardeners is a dynamic global movement founded by passionate surfers and freedivers in Mo'orea, French Polynesia, to restore coral reefs and protect ocean ecosystems. Since 2017, we've grown into an international collective, empowering local communities and driving innovative solutions to save coral reefs. With over 100,000 corals planted and millions engaged globally, we are committed to scaling our efforts to plant one million corals and ensure a sustainable future for our oceans.

We are seeking an experienced and well-connected Director of Partnerships to lead our expansion in the U.S. market and to take ownership of our existing European portfolio.

This role is ideal for a strategic, entrepreneurial individual with a strong network of corporate contacts or an existing portfolio of brand partnerships. You will be responsible for developing, managing, and growing partnerships that align with Coral Gardeners' mission and values — excellence, innovation, and environmental sustainability. You will own the full partnership cycle: identifying and securing new partners, then managing the relationship once the agreement is signed to guarantee partner satisfaction, retention and renewal.

This is a freelance, full-time position based in California. Frequent travel to Mo'orea, French Polynesia (our HQ) is expected to strengthen collaboration with our core team, alongside partner travel in the U.S. and Europe.

Key Responsibilities

• Market Development (U.S.)
• Lead the expansion of Coral Gardeners' corporate partnerships across the United States, focusing on high-impact collaborations with purpose-driven brands;
• Identify and target new potential partners, develop and deliver compelling pitches, and lead negotiations through to signature;
• Ensure that each partnership aligns with Coral Gardeners' values, strategic objectives, and partnership guidelines.
• European Portfolio
• Take ownership of Coral Gardeners' existing European partnerships, ensuring continuity of relationship and delivery;
• Grow the European portfolio through new acquisition, applying the same standards of strategic fit as in the U.S.;
• Maintain regular and proactive contact with European partners across time zones.
• Partnership Acquisition & Revenue Growth
• Identify, pitch, and secure new multi-year sponsorships and strategic alliances;
• Drive significant revenue through corporate contributions, ensuring all partnerships contribute meaningfully to Coral Gardeners' mission;
• Validate all new leads prior to outreach to ensure strategic alignment with Coral Gardeners' vision and objectives.
• Partner Onboarding & Relationship Management
• Organize a transition meeting (internal and/or with the partner) to clarify objectives, deliverables, and expectations;
• Act as the main point of contact for the partner and build trusted relationships with senior decision-makers;
• Manage the implementation of commitments (communications, activations, events, reports, visual deliverables) in coordination with internal teams;
• Track deadlines and coordinate required actions with the communications, operations, and field teams;
• Listen to partner needs and respond quickly in case of issues or adjustments, ensuring an exceptional experience at each stage of the collaboration.
• Retention & Renewal
• Take the lead on partnership renewals and upgrades;
• Build trust and engagement to foster long-term commitments;
• Proactively propose long-term strategic developments and growth opportunities.
• Reporting & Strategy
• Ensure proper execution of the KPIs defined in each partnership;
• Produce clear and well-designed partnership reports aligned with Coral Gardeners' brand image;
• Track partnership performance, provide actionable insights, and refine strategies to maximize engagement and funding outcomes.
• Collaboration & Supervision
• Work closely with the CEO, Communications and Partnerships teams to design tailored proposals and activations;
• Supervise a Partnerships Associate across both prospecting support and the day-to-day execution of partnerships;
• Suggest improvements to processes, tools, and materials, and contribute to internal best practices for partnership management.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Experience: 5+ years in corporate partnerships, business development, or fundraising — ideally within an NGO, sustainability, or social impact sector;
• Network: Established relationships or proven access to corporate decision-makers in the U.S. market; exposure to European brands is a strong asset;
• Results-Driven: Demonstrated success in securing six-figure (USD 500K+) partnerships or sponsorships;
• Strategic Thinker: Strong ability to develop data-informed growth strategies and navigate complex negotiations;
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal skills; able to inspire and influence C-level executives;
• Leadership: Self-motivated, proactive, and comfortable working autonomously in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment; able to manage an Associate;
• Languages: Fluent English required; French is a plus.

This is a rare opportunity to make a direct impact on global marine conservation efforts. Join a passionate, innovative team and help us drive the future of coral restoration. Together, we can make a lasting difference for the world's oceans.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs