Director, Sponsorship
Apply NowCompany: Greater Houston Partnership
Location: Houston, TX 77084
Description:
Description
Why the Partnership
When you join the Greater Houston Partnership, you get the opportunity to work with an organization helping guide the future of the Houston region. Our team of professionals work across multiple disciplines, including: Economic Development (Regional and International), Executive, Finance & Accounting, Marketing & Communications, Member Engagement, Public Policy, Regional Workforce Development, Research, Resources, and the Center for Houston's Future.
The Greater Houston Partnership works to make Houston one of the best places to live, work and build a business. As the economic development organization for the region, the Partnership champions growth across 12 counties by bringing together business and civic-minded leaders who are dedicated to the area's long-term success. Representing more than 900 member organizations and approximately one-fifth of the region's workforce, the Partnership is the place companies come together to make an impact.
We look forward to telling you more about the organization and helping determine if a career with the Partnership is right for you!
Today, We Are Looking For
The Sponsorship Director is a key revenue-generating and leadership role, responsible for strategically developing, securing, and managing sponsorships for a portfolio of over 34 annual programs and events, including signature events, contributing significantly to the organization's $4M+ annual budget. This role will cultivate and maintain relationships with a portfolio of 40+ signature sponsors, aligning their business objectives with high-visibility engagement opportunities. Additionally, this role includes managing and developing a Sponsorship Manager. The Director will drive revenue growth, ensure consistent achievement, and exceed established annual sponsorship goals while fostering strong partnerships that advance the organization's mission.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
The following responsibilities are essential to job performance:
Team Leadership and Management: Directly supervise and mentor a Sponsorship Manager, providing guidance, support, and performance feedback as needed. Delegate tasks and responsibilities effectively to ensure efficient team operations and productivity. and productivity. Foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
Develop and Execute Sponsorship Strategies: Design, plan, and implement comprehensive sponsorship strategies that align with the organization's annual revenue goals for Events and Programs, as well as support strategic cross-departmental initiatives.
Cultivate and Manage Sponsor Relationships: Proactively identify, solicit, and secure sponsorship investments, aligning sponsor interests with relevant events and program offerings. Manage a portfolio of over 40 signature sponsors, ensuring consistently high levels of satisfaction and retention.
Generate New Business: Build and manage a robust pipeline of new sponsors, connecting them with impactful engagement and branding opportunities to meet and exceed revenue targets. Conduct market analysis and competitor analysis to identify new sponsorship opportunities.
Create Tailored Sponsorship Packages: Develop unique and compelling sponsorship packages for annual signature events, Executive Partners, HYPE, and other participation levels. Negotiate and draft comprehensive sponsorship agreements.
Ensure Sponsor Satisfaction and ROI: Deliver promised benefits, provide timely follow-up and acknowledgment, and align sponsors with future opportunities, demonstrating clear ROI.
Collaborate with Internal Teams: Partner with the Events and Programs Team and the Marketing & Communications Division to create consistent, high-quality sponsorship communication plans and materials, ensuring alignment with the organization's overall member communications strategy.
Engage Stakeholders: Collaborate with volunteer leaders and Partnership staff to facilitate sponsorship solicitations where appropriate.
Support Event Execution: Assist in coordinating events and programs to maximize sponsor visibility and participation.
Manage Sponsorship Finances: Participate in developing annual and individual budgets, providing feasibility metrics. Track sponsorship revenue, manage invoicing processes, and ensure accurate financial reporting in collaboration with the accounting department.
Maintain Accurate Records: Utilize Salesforce and Basecamp to track sponsor information, generate prospect lists, and maintain detailed records of sponsorship plans and results for regular reporting to volunteers, colleagues, and leadership.
Deliver Presentations: Develop and present compelling sponsorship presentations to diverse audiences, including C-level executives.
Represent the Organization: Serve as a knowledgeable and professional representative of the organization at events and meetings.
Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The following knowledge, skills, and abilities are desirable for job success:
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree or relevant experience.
Required Experience
Physical Requirements
Mental and Aptitude Requirements
Safety Requirements
Adhere to office safety policies.
Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
The Greater Houston Partnership is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Why the Partnership
When you join the Greater Houston Partnership, you get the opportunity to work with an organization helping guide the future of the Houston region. Our team of professionals work across multiple disciplines, including: Economic Development (Regional and International), Executive, Finance & Accounting, Marketing & Communications, Member Engagement, Public Policy, Regional Workforce Development, Research, Resources, and the Center for Houston's Future.
The Greater Houston Partnership works to make Houston one of the best places to live, work and build a business. As the economic development organization for the region, the Partnership champions growth across 12 counties by bringing together business and civic-minded leaders who are dedicated to the area's long-term success. Representing more than 900 member organizations and approximately one-fifth of the region's workforce, the Partnership is the place companies come together to make an impact.
We look forward to telling you more about the organization and helping determine if a career with the Partnership is right for you!
Today, We Are Looking For
The Sponsorship Director is a key revenue-generating and leadership role, responsible for strategically developing, securing, and managing sponsorships for a portfolio of over 34 annual programs and events, including signature events, contributing significantly to the organization's $4M+ annual budget. This role will cultivate and maintain relationships with a portfolio of 40+ signature sponsors, aligning their business objectives with high-visibility engagement opportunities. Additionally, this role includes managing and developing a Sponsorship Manager. The Director will drive revenue growth, ensure consistent achievement, and exceed established annual sponsorship goals while fostering strong partnerships that advance the organization's mission.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
The following responsibilities are essential to job performance:
Team Leadership and Management: Directly supervise and mentor a Sponsorship Manager, providing guidance, support, and performance feedback as needed. Delegate tasks and responsibilities effectively to ensure efficient team operations and productivity. and productivity. Foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
Develop and Execute Sponsorship Strategies: Design, plan, and implement comprehensive sponsorship strategies that align with the organization's annual revenue goals for Events and Programs, as well as support strategic cross-departmental initiatives.
Cultivate and Manage Sponsor Relationships: Proactively identify, solicit, and secure sponsorship investments, aligning sponsor interests with relevant events and program offerings. Manage a portfolio of over 40 signature sponsors, ensuring consistently high levels of satisfaction and retention.
Generate New Business: Build and manage a robust pipeline of new sponsors, connecting them with impactful engagement and branding opportunities to meet and exceed revenue targets. Conduct market analysis and competitor analysis to identify new sponsorship opportunities.
Create Tailored Sponsorship Packages: Develop unique and compelling sponsorship packages for annual signature events, Executive Partners, HYPE, and other participation levels. Negotiate and draft comprehensive sponsorship agreements.
Ensure Sponsor Satisfaction and ROI: Deliver promised benefits, provide timely follow-up and acknowledgment, and align sponsors with future opportunities, demonstrating clear ROI.
Collaborate with Internal Teams: Partner with the Events and Programs Team and the Marketing & Communications Division to create consistent, high-quality sponsorship communication plans and materials, ensuring alignment with the organization's overall member communications strategy.
Engage Stakeholders: Collaborate with volunteer leaders and Partnership staff to facilitate sponsorship solicitations where appropriate.
Support Event Execution: Assist in coordinating events and programs to maximize sponsor visibility and participation.
Manage Sponsorship Finances: Participate in developing annual and individual budgets, providing feasibility metrics. Track sponsorship revenue, manage invoicing processes, and ensure accurate financial reporting in collaboration with the accounting department.
Maintain Accurate Records: Utilize Salesforce and Basecamp to track sponsor information, generate prospect lists, and maintain detailed records of sponsorship plans and results for regular reporting to volunteers, colleagues, and leadership.
Deliver Presentations: Develop and present compelling sponsorship presentations to diverse audiences, including C-level executives.
Represent the Organization: Serve as a knowledgeable and professional representative of the organization at events and meetings.
Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The following knowledge, skills, and abilities are desirable for job success:
- Proven track record in sales, business development, or fundraising, with a minimum of 7 to 10 years of direct sales experience.
- Experience in managing and mentoring direct reports
- Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to manage complex projects and prioritize competing demands effectively.
- Proficiency in Salesforce and Basecamp systems.
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate, engage, and leverage member expertise.
- Intermediate to advanced proficiency in social media platforms.
- Professional appearance and demeanor.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and tact.
- Proven ability to manage and collaborate with diverse groups of people.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, goal-oriented, and team-driven environment.
- Strong self-motivation and ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook).
- Understanding of marketing principles and development of sponsorship value propositions.
- Ability to create and manage a sponsorship budget.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree or relevant experience.
Required Experience
- Proven track record in sales, business development, or fundraising, with a minimum of 7 to 10 years of direct sales experience.
- Experience in managing and mentoring direct reports.
Physical Requirements
- Good vision and hearing acuity (with adaptive aids if necessary).
- Manual dexterity and skillful use of computer keyboard.
- Physical exertion includes bending, pushing, standing, and walking. Must be able to move or lift approximately 25 pounds on occasion.
Mental and Aptitude Requirements
- Job requires the ability to hear, see, and talk; analytical, conceptual, problem-solving, planning and decision-making skills.
Safety Requirements
Adhere to office safety policies.
Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
The Greater Houston Partnership is an Equal Opportunity Employer.