The Director of Sponsorships and Community Outreach is responsible for leading the Business Development and Partnerships team including identifying, soliciting, securing and maintaining relationships with sponsors, partners and donors as well as assisting in all aspects of development for the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The ideal candidate thrives in an entrepreneurial environment and has a strong track record of success in corporate relations, solicitation and execution of sponsorships, and community partnerships. The role requires demonstrated success managing relationships with individuals at various levels within large institutions and possess superior abilities to connect entities and programs, understand organizational objectives, identify and deliver Festival assets and benefits to achieve those objectives while advancing the key initiatives of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.  The Director must have the skills to solve problems, manage projects, create greater exposure, and lead creative engagements. This position requires a high-performing professional capable of managing multiple priorities in a dynamic, high-growth, collaborative organization. The Director of Sponsorships and Community Outreach must also have outstanding interpersonal and communication skills and must be able to work effectively across organizational and functional boundaries. 

Reports to:  President & CEO

Director reports include but not limited to: Development Manager, Development Associate, Community Outreach/Partnerships Associate; Supervise volunteers, interns and contractors as needed.

The Director of Sponsorships and Community Outreach responsibilities include:

Foster long-term authentic relationships

• Serve as a key “face” and leader of the National Cherry Blossom Festival
• Develop strategic alliances with community and business leaders as well as local officials. Develop collaborative partnerships with other hospitality and tourism organizations, main streets, business improvement districts and community organizations.
• Represent the organization at functions, networking to develop new and strengthen current relationship base.

Fundraising and Sponsorships

• Work with President in setting annual revenue goals, create development/fundraising plans, prospect activity. Meet regularly to strategize and report on forecast reports and results and provide briefings as requested.
• Execute fundraising plans and activities that will ensure the achievement of established objectives
  • Identify prospects, solicit and secure new sponsors
  • Renew current sponsors
  • Make in-person visits to prospects
  • Handle incoming sponsorship inquiries
  • Assist in creating marketing materials for sponsorship solicitation and outreach; update website, etc.
  • Write proposals for corporate sponsors and foundation prospects
  • Manage and secure required documentation of gifts and gift intentions
  • Responsible for execution of sponsor and donor benefits prior to, during, and after the Festival, including creating recap reports at the conclusion of the Festival
• Grow and manage an active pipeline of sponsorship and partnership prospects, building strategies to engage, solicit, secure and steward contributors at all levels.
• Guide staff in research, identification, and vetting of new prospects in order to expand NCBF’s sponsorship/contributor pool and account for attrition.
• Manage and solicit fundraising teams for events including working with event host committees
• Prospect, identify and understand motivating factors of sponsors and donors. Provide ideation and sponsor/donor benefits for business development, marketing initiatives, or relationship-building opportunities that will result in lead generation for NCBF.
• Write proposals, presentations, and solicitation letters and recap reports. Coordinates the creation of letters or proposals with department. Edits proposal drafts to ensure high quality content, including readability and a consistent voice, as well as adherence to NCBF’s brand policies.
• Identify and secure in-kind support as budget relief.

Community Programs and Partnerships

• Working with Programming Team, oversee development for community programs including but not limited to: collaboration with Festival participating organizations, local businesses and restaurants (Cherry Picks, City in Bloom, Porch Parade).
• Develop new and strengthen current relationships with leadership of these organizations and support Community Outreach Associate in the development of key relationships.

Leadership and Management

• Directs and manages day-to-day activities of the Development and Partnerships team, including delegating responsibilities and ensuring accountability among the team, developing work plans, providing regular check-in meetings, monitoring and evaluating performance, establishing ambitious and achievable metrics to grow NCBF’s fundraising results, and promoting inclusivity, mentorship, and professional development.
• Lead team in achieving annual and monthly goals and performance expectations. Provide, coaching and direct assignments, evaluation of performance and professional development.
• Responsible for weekly monitoring and tracking activities and results. Provide comprehensive and timely reports summarizing program activity and project status.
• Maintain and oversee organized recordkeeping of all documents related to sponsor and partner involvement. Use NCBF management tools to communicate across all departments.
• Oversee execution of sponsor and donor benefits prior to, during, and after the Festival, including creating recap reports at the conclusion of the Festival.
• Support Festival team through other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Finance, Business, or other related field preferred
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience including a minimum of four years in a leadership position securing funds directly; demonstrated success in fundraising, relationship management, and partnership building.
• The ability to come up with creative ideas to fundraise collaboratively and build strategic relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to grow a portfolio of sponsors and increase revenue.
• Excellent time management, organizational skills, and ability to juggle and prioritize multiple projects
• Superior communication and writing skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint and strong database management skills are necessary
• Demonstrated desire and capacity to work collaboratively with colleagues and consultants, as well as volunteers
• Attention to detail, high productivity and concern for accuracy and excellence
• Must be a self-starter, proactive and driven, with a strong work ethic, a high level of motivation, a strong sense of urgency when needed, the ability to work without direct supervision and consistently meet deadlines
• Ability to foster positive, productive relationships, collaboration and teamwork, internally and externally, among staff, board members, volunteers, partners and other Festival stakeholders

Attributes of our ideal business development and partnerships director:

• Strategic, with the ability to translate and implement big ideas into action.
• Mission driven.
• Appreciation of community and civic interaction and to a mission to enrich lives, create positive community impact and celebrate the iconic National Cherry Blossom Festival
• Professional communication skills for both outbound and inbound client interaction
• Proactive, solution oriented, able to perform under pressure and problem solve.
• Mastery in running marketing communications functions, experience in technical knowledge, and ability to use that knowledge to guide others.
• Strong customer service skills
• Detail oriented and organized in their approach.
• Creative with new ideas and recommendations
• Hands on, managing priorities by rolling up their sleeves and working collaboratively.
• Effective as a project manager, keeping multiple projects flowing simultaneously.
• Adaptable and able to monitor progress and pivot when necessary.

Additional preferred experience:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint are necessary
• Experience with Salesforce, Monday.com, and Slack are preferred

As an integral part of the NCBF team, this salaried exempt position participates fully in the production and execution of Festival events. This requires flexibility to be available evenings and weekends and to work additional hours during peak periods.

How to Apply:

Please email resume and cover letter articulating your relevant experience and salary expectations to opportunity@ncbfdc.org include in the subject line “Director of Sponsorships and Community Outreach.” Applicants will be notified if selected for an interview.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).