Senior Manager, Planting Partnerships

Want to devote your talents to creating a better future for all of us? We're seeking a strategic and people-centered leader to oversee how we source, develop, and grow the Foundation's network of planting partners across reforestation and urban forestry programs. The Arbor Day Foundation is a place where you can do work that matters with people who care. As we say at the Foundation: life is short, love where you work. 

As one of the world's largest conservation organizations, the Arbor Day Foundation inspires people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. We help others understand and use trees as a nature-based solution to some of the biggest global challenges we face today, like air quality, water quality, climate change, deforestation, poverty, and hunger.  
 
Help build the partnerships that make large-scale tree planting possible by joining the Arbor Day Foundation as a Senior Manager, Planting Partnerships.  

The Senior Manager, Planting Partnerships leads the Foundation's project sourcing and planting partner network development function across reforestation and urban forestry programs. This role is responsible for stewarding and growing the Foundation’s industry-leading network of planting partners while ensuring we can respond quickly and effectively to evolving funding needs with high-quality, cost-effective project opportunities. Through a team of Project Development Leads and strong cross-functional partnerships, this role drives sourcing strategy, grows the network and strengthens partner relationships, and continuously improves how we deliver the greatest possible impact from every dollar invested. 

What you’ll bring:   

• Passion for the Foundation’s mission, nature, environmental stewardship, and people.   

• Our ideal candidate has 8+ years of experience in partnership development, project development, operations, supply chain or sourcing leadership, or program strategy and operations.   

• Experience identifying, evaluating, and developing external partnerships and projects.  

• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.   

• Demonstrated success developing strategies, driving operational improvements, and influencing stakeholders without direct authority.   

• Experience leading complex cross-functional initiatives and organizational change.  

• Strong communication, relationship management, and problem-solving skills.   

Preferred  

• Experience in mission-driven environmental, conservation, or sustainability-focused organizations.  

• Experience building scalable partner networks, operating models, or project portfolios.  

What you’ll do:  

Operational Strategy & Functional Leadership 

• Define the strategic direction, priorities, and growth objectives for the Project Development function, ensuring the Foundation maintains a strong pipeline of high-quality, cost-effective projects aligned with funding opportunities and impact goals.   

• Evaluate portfolio composition, market trends, partner capacity, and emerging risks to proactively respond to evolving funder needs and maximize impact per dollar.   

• Grow and strengthen the Foundation’s planting partner network by identifying new opportunities and developing innovative sourcing approaches.   

• Identify and implement improvements to operating models, processes, and tools that increase scalability, efficiency, and effectiveness. 

• Travel 3 to 4 times a year international and domestic as needed   

Partner Network & Project Development Operations 

• Design sourcing processes, tools, and partner engagement approaches that enable the Foundation to identify and evaluate the right opportunities faster, scale effectively, and maintain a high-quality experience for partners.  

• Establish and continuously improve partner evaluation and onboarding standards and processes that protect the quality of the Foundation’s network and ensure our work remains aligned, effective, and positioned for long-term impact.   

• Create operating mechanisms that provide the visibility, accountability, and coordination needed to steward this work well, enable effective decision-making, and support mission delivery at scale.  

Team Leadership & Development 

• Provide clear direction, coaching, and support to 3 Project Development Leads to achieve both Foundation objectives and team member career goals – developing team capabilities in partner relationship management and strategic sourcing.  

• Foster a high-performing, mission-driven team culture aligned with Foundation values.   

• Delegate responsibilities and decision-making authority effectively while maintaining appropriate oversight.   

• Assess future capability needs and implement development plans, learning opportunities, and stretch assignments to build team capacity.   

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration  

• Build trusted relationships across the organization to maintain alignment, strengthen collaboration, and advance shared goals.   

• Partner with fundraising and program leaders to anticipate future demand, align project pipeline development with current and future funding opportunities.  

• Translate strategic decisions into clear implications for teams, processes, and ways of working.   

• Resolve cross-functional challenges by balancing competing priorities and reinforcing shared goals. 

What success looks like:  

• Develop and execute a cohesive project sourcing strategy that aligns the Foundation's planting partner network and project pipeline with evolving funding needs across reforestation, carbon, impact fund, and community programs.  

• Ensure the project portfolio can effectively respond to demand by balancing geographic coverage, cost, scientific rigor, and partner capacity.  

• Expand and strengthen the Foundation's planting partner network to increase responsiveness, resilience, and long-term mission impact. 

• Develop and empower a high-performing team capable of supporting continued organizational growth and impact.  

Your Support System:  

You’ll report to the Director, Mission Delivery and collaborate closely with Corporate Partnerships, Impact Fund, Individual Engagement, and Program leaders.  

Days and Location:  

Location: Lincoln, Nebraska 
Schedule: In-office Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday; optional remote work on Wednesday and Friday. Office hours are 8am to 5pm  

Love Where You Work: Your Benefits & Perks  

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial security, and overall well-being. Highlights include: 

Health & Insurance 

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage - Multiple plan options, including PPO and High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). 

• Company-Paid Life Insurance - $15,000 basic coverage, plus voluntary options available. 

• Short- & Long-Term Disability - Fully paid by the company. 

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Free, confidential counseling and resources for you and your family. 

• Supplemental Insurance Options -  Accident, Critical Illness (includes infertility coverage), and Hospital Indemnity plans available for added peace of mind. 

Financial Wellness 

• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Immediate eligibility with company match up to 5%; full vesting after 5 years. 

• Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Account (HSA) -  Pre-tax savings for healthcare and dependent care expenses. 

Time Off & Leave 

• Paid Holidays -  Eight paid holidays, one floating holiday, and an annual companywide “Unplug Time” during the holidays. 

• Parental Leave  - 12 weeks paid for birthing parents | 2 weeks paid for non-birthing parents | Available for adoption as well. 

• Paid Time Off -  Vacation, sick leave, and paid volunteer time off 

Learning & Growth 

• Professional Development - Access to LinkedIn Learning and tuition reimbursement. 

• Learning Time - Team members are encouraged to spend 40+ hours on development. 

Wellness & Perks 

• HealthJoy App – Included with medical insurance to simplify healthcare navigation and support. 

• Wellness & Recognition – Incentives, recognition gifts awarded for work anniversaries & birthdays 

• Exclusive Discounts & Free Admission – Tree Adventure, Arbor Lodge State Historical Park, golf and more. 

Benefits and perks may vary based on position and are subject to plan terms and eligibility requirements.  

How to apply 

We’re excited you’re considering growing your career with us. After you apply, we aim to follow up within two weeks - and you’ll hear from us either way. 

Our hiring process typically includes: 

• A conversation with our recruiter 

• An interview with the hiring manager 

• An onsite interview with team members and leadership 

You’ll be kept informed at every step. To begin, submit your application with a resume and responses to the application questions. Every application is reviewed by a real person - we do not use AI to select applicants. 

The Arbor Day Foundation is an equal opportunity employer 

The Arbor Day Foundation is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against Team Members or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis [“protected class”] including, but not limited to: veteran status, uniform servicemember status, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, age, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.  

We participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm your authorization to work in the U.S. 
If you need assistance or accommodation during the application process due to a disability, please contact us at 402-474-5655