Director, Corporate Engagement

The Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) seeks a strategic and results-driven Corporate Engagement Director (CED) to lead private-sector partnership expansion and revenue growth. This senior executive will position SAN as the premier partner for corporations committed to regenerative and sustainable agricultural systems. Reporting to the COO, the CED will architect and execute a multi-year corporate business development strategy, steward major accounts, and diversify SAN's revenue base while ensuring mission alignment.
This role requires a visionary leader skilled in complex partnerships, consultative selling, and stakeholder engagement at C-suite level - demonstrating strong business acumen, strategic thinking, innovation, and accountability. Agency-wide competencies for all SAN staff are rooted in the mission, values and principles of SAN and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and includes serves with integrity; models stewardship and accountability; cultivates constructive and collaborative relations; strives for innovation; and promotes continual learning and self-improvement.

Strategic Business Development & Revenue Growth

• Co-develop and implement a multi-year corporate growth strategy aligned with SAN mission and priority markets. Targeting annual revenue growth of 15-25% through private sector engagements
• Identify, secure, and expand high-value partnerships with agrifood corporates, retailers, and traders committed to sustainable sourcing.
• Deliver measurable revenue growth through pipeline development, value-proposition design, and major deal closure.
• Support budget planning and cost-efficient resource allocation.

Partnership Development & Relationship Management

• Build trusted C-suite relationships and influence senior decision-makers to engage deeply with SAN.
• Develop compelling business cases demonstrating ROI and aligned sustainability outcomes.
• Coordinate internal and network-wide collaboration to deliver impactful partnership solutions.
• Serve as a visible SAN representative in industry forums and global events.
• Establish alliances with complementary organizations, including financial institutions, technology partners, and advisory firms.

Innovation, Market Intelligence & Positioning

• Monitor global market trends, regulation, and ESG investment shifts to shape SAN offerings.
• Conduct competition and market analysis to define positioning and pricing strategy.
• Champion innovation in business models including blended finance, co-investment, and new sustainability solutions.

Deal Structuring & Performance Management

• Lead proposal development, negotiation, contracting, and partnership governance.
• Maintain CRM systems, sales tracking, and pipeline metrics to evaluate efficiency.
• Provide clear performance reporting to SAN leadership and Board

Leadership & Capability Building

• Build and lead a high-performing team as organizational needs grow.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, learning, and continuous improvement.
• Strengthen cross-functional competencies across SAN in partnership management.
• Liaise with the SAN Senior Management team, providing insights, knowledge, and support in the development of SAN's strategic plans and goals.
• Maintain a deep understanding of the complementary initiatives and global trends in sustainable agriculture, including funding trends.
• Continuously engage with SAN members, partners, and funders as key expert on sustainable agriculture solutions.
• Develop and maintain leadership, technical vision, and strategy development in the agricultural and environmental sectors.

Academic Background and Experience

• Master's degree in Business, Sustainability, Agriculture, Environmental Management, Development Studies, or related field
• 10-12+ years of experience in business development, corporate partnerships, strategic account management, or equivalent.
• Proven revenue generation track record and experience closing complex agreements (>USD 500k value).
• Strong experience working with or within multinational agrifood and retail value chains.
• Demonstrated excellence engaging senior executives and managing multi-stakeholder environments.
• Commitment to finding climate solutions and slowing the effects of climate change, especially for those who rely on farming for their livelihoods.
• Familiarity with sustainable agriculture and international development issues.
• Proven track record of providing high-level technical leadership and support to international teams in an NGO setting.
• Commitment to enhance and promote a global impact network.
• Excellent written and verbal command of English. Proficiency in Spanish and knowledge of other languages is considered a plus.
• Experience working in a diverse, global organization across multiple time zones, and flexible schedules.
• Availability to travel internationally, up to 30% of the time.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs.
• Strong Information Technology skills and capacity to manage and maintain databases including Salesforce and MS Excel.

Professional and Personal Skills

• Deep expertise in sustainable and regenerative agriculture, with a strong understanding of smallholder and small-scale producer systems, lessons learned from global implementation, and emerging trends shaping inclusive agricultural markets.

Demonstrated knowledge of:

• Digital and mobile-enabled solutions that unlock innovative business models and expand access for underserved and vulnerable populations.
• Global food systems, climate resilience, and integrated development frameworks, with the ability to connect environmental, social, and economic outcomes.
• Agribusiness operational challenges and commercial realities, enabling the design of solutions that are both mission-aligned and market-relevant.
• Gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) considerations, and the integration of inclusive approaches across programs and partnerships.
• Strong solution and program design capability, with experience building, piloting, scaling, and adapting initiatives across diverse geographies. Skilled in translating innovation and best practices into scalable, impact-driven partnership models.
• Advanced business development and strategic leadership skills, demonstrated through effective prioritization, disciplined execution, and the ability to motivate and align multidisciplinary, cross-functional teams toward shared revenue and impact goals.
• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and influence skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders, influence without formal authority, operate effectively within networked organizations, and deliver results through complex, multi-partner collaborations.
• Data-driven decision-making capability, with experience analyzing and leveraging qualitative and quantitative data to guide strategy, improve performance, and ensure robust business and operational processes.
• Fluency in impact and learning frameworks, including Appreciative Inquiry and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) approaches, to support continuous improvement, accountability, and evidence-based storytelling.
• Ability to navigate complexity and multiple perspectives, facilitating constructive dialogue, alignment, and collaboration across diverse stakeholders and interests.
• Proactive, purpose-driven leadership style, grounded in a strong commitment to sustainability, partnership, and collective impact, with a bias toward action and results.
• Strategic, creative, and courageous thinker, willing to challenge conventional approaches and design innovative solutions. Brings gravitas, credibility, and executive presence; self-motivated, adaptable, and effective under pressure in fast-evolving environments.