Strategic Partnerships & Business Development Manager

Strategic Partnerships and Business Development ManagerOrganization: IDFA Reports to: Executive DirectorLocation: Fully remote Employment: Full timeTravel: Approximately 15 percent Compensation: Competitive salary plus bonus opportunityAbout IDFASince 1993, the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts (IDFA) has provided specialized divorce financial planning education and the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) credential. We equip financial, accounting, and legal professionals with the knowledge to help clients make better informed financial decisions before, during, and after divorce.The OpportunityIDFA is seeking a creative, outgoing relationship builder to grow course enrollments, develop strategic partnerships, and manage corporate sponsor relationships. The primary focus is business development with small and midsize financial advisory firms and higher education programs.The right person will be energized by opening doors, developing ideas with prospective partners, speaking to groups, building a visible professional presence on LinkedIn, and earning trust through thoughtful follow-through.You will identify organizations that want meaningful access to the divorce financial planning community, develop sponsorship opportunities that create value for both the partner and IDFA, and then remain the sponsor's primary relationship manager. You will also introduce advisory firms to IDFA education and help them enroll groups of professionals in our courses.This role is suited to someone with a sustained professional interest in financial services and professional education. Across every area of the role, you will be expected to look for practical ways to grow IDFA.How You Will WorkThis is a high-autonomy role for a self-starter who knows how to turn goals into action. You will have a supportive, accessible leader who enjoys brainstorming, exchanging ideas, and collaborating on important opportunities. At the same time, you will be expected to organize your own work, create your own outreach plans, maintain momentum, and move opportunities forward without extensive day-to-day direction.Working remotely is a benefit, but it does not mean working in isolation. Success requires being visible and active in the market: initiating conversations, requesting introductions, participating in industry communities, posting on LinkedIn, attending selected conferences, and consistently creating reasons to connect with prospective sponsors and advisory firms.This role is accountable for results. Activity matters, but success will ultimately be measured by the quality of relationships developed, sponsor revenue, advisory-firm enrollments, qualified pipeline, and reliable execution of sponsor commitments.Key ResponsibilitiesAdvisory Firm and Higher Education Business DevelopmentIdentify and engage small and midsize financial advisory firms that could benefit from IDFA courses, group enrollments, private classes, and the CDFA credential.Build relationships with firm owners, practice leaders, learning and development contacts, colleges, universities and continuing education providers.Manage consultative sales opportunities from prospecting and discovery through presentations, proposals, enrollment, partnership launch, and internal handoff.Develop referral channels, affinity relationships, and creative partnership models that expand IDFA's reach.Sponsorship Development and Relationship ManagementIdentify prospective sponsors whose products, services, and values align with the CDFA community, and develop creative approaches to opening those relationships.Sell IDFA sponsorship packages and appropriate custom opportunities, managing the process from initial contact through proposal, agreement, and renewal.Serve as the primary contact for sponsors, helping them feel welcomed, informed, appreciated, and connected to the CDFA community and our internal team.Conferences LinkedIn and VisibilityRepresent IDFA at selected financial services, divorce, legal, and professional education conferences; schedule meetings in advance and complete timely follow up.Deliver virtual and in person sales presentations and IDFA program overviews to firms, institutions, sponsors, and prospective partners.Maintain an active professional LinkedIn presence, post original content regularly, and use the platform to build relationships and identify qualified opportunities.Identify interviews, podcasts, contributed articles, expert source requests, and conference opportunities that could expand IDFA’s network.Required QualificationsFour or more years of experience in business development, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, consultative B2B sales, or relationship management.Relevant professional experience in financial services, professional education, associations, legal services, divorce-related professional services, or a closely related field.Demonstrated success originating relationships and moving longer cycle opportunities forward independently.Experience managing client, sponsor, partner, or key account relationships after the sale.Strong presentation, communication, negotiation, organizational, and relationship management skills.Willingness to use LinkedIn consistently for professional posting and relationship development.Experience maintaining accurate pipeline and activity information in a CRM, plus the ability to travel approximately 15 percent.Preferred QualificationsRelationships within the financial advisor, RIA, Broker Dealer, CFP, family law, or divorce financial planning communities.Experience with professional education, certification, group training, sponsorships, affinity partnerships, the CDFA credential, or tools such as Zoho CRM, Google Workspace, and LinkedIn.Compensation and BenefitsIDFA offers a competitive salary plus bonus opportunity tied to sponsorship and business development results. Benefits include health, dental, and vision coverage; retirement benefits; paid time off; life insurance; savings-account options; and an employee assistance program.How to ApplyPlease submit your resume and a brief statement highlighting your relevant experience and an example of a creative approach you used to open a new opportunity.Equal OpportunityIDFA is an equal opportunity employer.