Program Manager, Stewardship Giving & Marketing
Work Mode: Onsite
Location: Onsite– Kohler, WI
Opportunity
The Program Manager leads the strategy and execution of Kohler’s philanthropic initiatives, ensuring alignment with business priorities and community needs while strengthening the company’s reputation. This role manages corporate giving programs and nonprofit partnerships, amplifying the company’s purpose-driven commitments. Manage and execute Arts/Industry marketing and PR strategy. The position requires building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, fostering trust, and leveraging partnerships to influence policy and support Kohler’s business interests.
Specific Responsibilities
Program Management
- Develop and implement a corporate giving strategy aligned with company values and community goals.
- Recommend annual giving priorities, budgets, and partnership focus areas to leadership.
- Track and report on giving impact, ensuring transparency and accountability.
- Oversee program budgets and work plans.
- Manage Kohler’s charitable giving program to ensure alignment with business strategies and leverage major gifts effectively.
- Oversee stewardship giving Lives Impacted methodology and public and internal reporting.
- Lead Kohler’s disaster response giving and relief efforts, ensuring rapid, coordinated, and compassionate support to impacted areas.
Program & Partnership Management
- Build and manage relationships with nonprofit partners, grantees, and community organizations.
- Oversee grantmaking, donation requests, sponsorships, and in-kind contributions.
- Evaluate and recommend opportunities for new partnerships and programs.
- Marketing and Public Relations
- Develop and execute Marketing, PR and Communication strategies in support of Arts/Industry program.
- Partner with JMKAC and corporate communications department on paid, earned and owned media plans.
- Manage PR agency, providing direction on media placements (print, digital, events, art installations) in partnership with corporate communications department.
- Partner with WasteLab for marketing and communications, including product launches, merchandising, samples, as needed.
- Partner with Sustainable Living team on ad-hoc requests for preparation of presentation materials and storytelling initiatives.
Employee Engagement
- Lead employee giving initiatives, fostering a culture of service and social responsibility.
- Partner with HR/Communications to promote and activate participation in giving campaigns and programs.
- Provide tools and resources to empower employees to contribute to causes that matter to them.
- Support associate events in collaboration with Believing in Better Program Manager.
Governance & Operations
- Establish clear criteria, processes, and metrics for evaluating donation requests and impact.
- Manage budget allocation and ensure compliance with corporate policies and regulations.
- Partner with Legal, Finance, and Communications teams to ensure responsible and effective giving practices.
- Develop and utilize tools to measure Corporate Giving effectiveness.
- Works to ensure that Kohler Corporate Giving actions are authentic and are guided by ethical standards and approved by management locally and at corporate level.
- Vet new partnerships and develop risk analysis.
Storytelling & Visibility
- Collaborate with Communications and Marketing to highlight the company’s impact through storytelling, case studies, and reporting.
- Provide regular updates and presentations to senior leadership on corporate giving performance and outcomes.
Communications
- Serve as the primary contact for Kohler’s Corporate Giving initiatives.
- Build, strengthen, and communicate Corporate Giving initiatives internally and externally, ensuring alignment with the Kohler family of business brands.
- Partner with the marketing and communications team to share success stories and news.
Skills/Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Nonprofit Management, Communications, Public Relations, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
- 5–7+ years of experience in corporate giving, nonprofit partnerships, or related field; leadership experience preferred.
- Proven project management skills.
- Experience managing budgets and evaluating program effectiveness.
- Strong understanding of corporate social responsibility concepts.
- Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills with ability to engage senior leadership.
- Excellent judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Knowledge of Kohler’s values, mission, and business objectives (preferred).
- Passion for community engagement and philanthropy.
- Experience with grant management systems preferred (e.g., Versaic, Benevity, CyberGrants, Salesforce).
- Travel requirement: 10%
Key Competencies
- Strategic thinker with ability to connect giving to business and community priorities.
- Strong project management and organizational skills.
- Collaborative and cross-functional approach; able to influence at all levels.
- Data-driven mindset, with ability to measure and communicate impact.
- Creative storyteller who can elevate the visibility of giving initiatives.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.
We believe in supporting you from the moment you join us, which is why Kohler offers day 1 benefits. This means you’ll have access to your applicable benefit programs from your first day on the job, with no waiting period.
The salary range for this position is $115,800 - $179,200. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, their education, and the work location.
Why Choose Kohler?
We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 bold leaders across the globe, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.
About Us
It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact kohlerjobs@kohler.com. Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
