Partnership Lead

Build partnerships that make a difference

Are you a natural relationship builder with a commercial mindset and a passion for creating meaningful impact?

Northern Rescue who operates the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopters is looking for an experienced Partnerships Lead to join our Auckland team and play a key role in growing the corporate partnerships that help make our work possible.

Reporting to the Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships-Auckland, you’ll develop, grow and steward strategic business relationships that contribute to Northern Rescue’s financial sustainability, strategic objectives and long-term impact.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who can see beyond a sponsorship transaction. You’ll build genuine relationships, understand what matters to our partners, identify shared opportunities and create partnerships that deliver value for both the organisation and the businesses we work with.

About the role

You’ll take ownership of the partnership journey — from identifying and approaching prospective partners, developing compelling proposals and securing support, through to activation, stewardship, renewal and growth.

A key part of the role will be using partner events and engagement experiences as strategic relationship-building tools. You’ll lead the strategy, planning and delivery of high-impact partner events and experiences that strengthen relationships, showcase Northern Rescue’s impact, create new opportunities and deliver meaningful value for corporate partners. You’ll create opportunities for partners to connect with Northern Rescue, see our impact firsthand, engage with our people and communities, and deepen their commitment to our work.

You’ll work across the organisation to ensure our partnerships are well activated, deliver on our commitments and create meaningful outcomes.

About you

You’ll be an experienced partnerships, business development, sponsorship, fundraising or account management professional who enjoys opening doors, building trust and turning relationships into results.

You’ll bring:

• Proven experience in sales, business development, partnerships, sponsorship or fundraising.
• A strong track record of building and managing successful partnerships or accounts.
• Excellent relationship-building, influencing and negotiation skills.
• The ability to understand different stakeholder objectives and create compelling shared-value propositions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to develop persuasive proposals and presentations.
• Commercial awareness and the confidence to identify and pursue new opportunities.
• Strong organisational , event and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience coordinating stakeholders and delivering projects or events from concept through to completion.
• A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively across teams.

Experience in the charity or purpose-led sector, corporate partnerships or sponsorship programs, CRM systems, and integrated marketing or communications will be highly regarded.

Why Northern Rescue?

This is more than a partnerships role. It’s an opportunity to use your commercial and relationship-building skills to help create lasting impact.

You’ll have the opportunity to work with organisations across Auckland, build relationships with business leaders, create innovative partnership opportunities and connect corporate support with the real-world impact of Northern Rescue’s work.

You’ll be joining a collaborative fundraising and development team where your ideas, relationships and ability to create opportunities can make a genuine difference.

Ready to make an impact?

If you’re an experienced partnerships professional who knows how to build trusted relationships, spot opportunities and turn them into sustainable support, apply now to join Northern Rescue as our Partnerships Lead.

If you have any questions or want a copy of the position description, please contact [email protected]

Applications close Friday, 9 October 2026. We encourage you to apply early.