Business Development Director

Wish of a Lifetime from AARP (WOL) believes everyone should age with hope and joy. With nearly 3,000 wishes granted to adults ages 65 and older, WOL has renewed and celebrated passions, reconnected loved ones, commemorated service, and fulfilled lifelong dreams. Through wish granting, recipients are able to connect with their past and tap into the elation that comes with doing something they never thought possible.

As the Business Development Director for Wish of a Lifetime, based in Denver, Colorado, you will be instrumental in advancing our mission and vision nationwide. You will lead business development initiatives, representing the organization in creating and cultivating new opportunities, securing strategic deals, and developing innovative business models. In this dynamic role, you will oversee the qualification, negotiation, and relationship-building processes with potential partners. You will proactively identify new prospects through strategic market research and targeted business development activities. Additionally, you will establish and nurture a portfolio of long-term strategic partnerships that align with Wish of a Lifetime's programmatic, promotional, and fundraising goals. You will drive market outreach, lead generation, and the negotiation of complex deals, while collaborating with a cross-functional team to support your leadership in engaging with key partners.

• Develops prospect lists, prospecting strategies, and conducts outreach to the marketplace. Develops and manages pipeline of prospect targets.
• Represents the organization in the marketplace in a highly professional manner. Communicates effectively with an executive presence and can clearly articulate the AARP value proposition and quickly adapt to varying and sometimes challenging situations.
• Maintains a deep understanding of the industry landscape and relevant players to support the creation of a business development strategy that best aligns with the industry, develop business-to-business and business-to-consumer value propositions, and develop an insightful and strategic view of the voice of the market (VoM) that defines how the organization should be positioned and navigate industries.
• Leads the creation of market scans and opportunity assessments. Leads the development of Concept Documents and Business Cases. Leads RFP/RFI processes including requirements gathering, market outreach, and final selection with coordination from all relevant stakeholders.
• Leads the negotiation of complex strategic relationship agreements. Effectively negotiates the best possible agreements that maximize the organization’s assets and drives revenue, membership, and engagement goals.
• Adheres to CRM and Business Development reporting and activity tracking protocol and requirements.
• Leads internal collaboration with all necessary functions and resources throughout the organization to create and implement effective business development solutions and programs. Directs positive organizational change in how new business development opportunities are evaluated and executed.

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, nonprofit management, marketing or a related field.
• 5+ years in business development, nonprofit fundraising, sales, or related field.
• Excellent skills in building and maintaining relationships with clients, partners, and stakeholders with a proven ability to innovate and create new partnerships to deliver social impact solutions. Solid leadership skills to motivate cross-functional teams with internal partners. 
• Excellent presentation and communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively convey the organization's mission and needs to potential donors.
• Proficiency in market research and analysis to identify new business opportunities.
• Solid negotiation skills to close deals and secure partnerships.
• Ability to travel up to 25% as needed to meet with prospective clients, attend industry events and company meetings.

AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.

Preferred:

Understanding of financial principles and business metrics to make informed decisions

Additional Requirements 

• Regular and reliable job attendance.
• Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships.
• Independent judgement in evaluation options to make sound decisions.
• In office/open office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.

Hybrid Work Environment

AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as remote workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work can only be done within the United States and its territories.

Compensation and Benefits

AARP offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including a 401(k); 100% company-funded pension plan; health, dental, and vision plans; life insurance; paid time off to include company and individual holidays, vacation, sick, caregiving, and parental leave; performance-based and peer-based recognition and tuition reimbursement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.