The Business Development & Sponsorship Manager will be responsible for 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 Business Development & Sponsorship Manager has a clearly defined scope; requires tact, discretion and professionalism in representing the Festival to all levels of outside partners, sponsors, and audiences. 

Responsibilities

In coordination with the Director of Development & Partnerships, the Business Development & Sponsorship Manager will participate in developing and executing long and short-range sponsorship and fundraising plans that will ensure the achievement of established objectives. This person will participate in developing general and tailored proposals and presentations to be utilized in sponsor and donor solicitations. The Business Development & Sponsorship Manager will also: 

• Help carry out the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s mission, vision, and strategies
• Identify prospects, solicit and secure sponsors
• Make in-person visits to prospects
• Handle incoming sponsorship inquiries
• Assist in creating marketing materials for sponsorship solicitation and outreach
• Write proposals for corporate sponsors and foundation prospects
• Provide comprehensive and timely reports summarizing program activity and project status 
• Manage and secure required documentation of gifts and gift intentions
• Network and build relationships on behalf of the Festival
• Manage and solicit fundraising teams for events including working with event host committees
• 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
• Oversee the hospitality needs with Development Associate for Festival sponsors and other key stakeholders, including managing RSVP lists, issuing and sending tickets and managing the registration process
• Assist in supervising Development Associate, volunteers and interns
• Assist in identifying grant opportunities and prepare proposals for submission
• Maintain organized record of all documents related to sponsor and partner involvement
• Liaise with Programming, Business Operations, and Marketing Team in communicating sponsorship execution needs
• Remain up-to-date of industry trends and best practice to provide support to the Director of Development & Partnerships

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Finance, Business, or other related field preferred
• Minimum of three years’ experience with proven track record in sponsorship and/or fundraising development is required; corporate and major gift cultivation/solicitation
• Marketing experience a plus but not required
• 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

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.

NCBF offers a generous benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, short term and long term disability, life insurance, annual leave and sick leave, paid holidays and a 401(k) plan.

Please email resume and cover letter articulating your relevant experience and salary expectations to opportunity@ncbfdc.org. Include in the subject line “Business Development & Sponsorship Manager.” Applicants will be notified if selected for an interview.

NCBF requires that employees are vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, subject to reasonable accommodation as required by law and any other applicable law.

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

The Sponsorship & Development Associate will be responsible for identifying and maintaining relationships with sponsors, partners and donors as well as assisting in all aspects of development for the National Cherry Blossom Festival including opportunities to solicit and secure sponsors The Sponsorship & Development Associate has a clearly defined scope; requires tact, discretion and professionalism in representing the Festival to all levels of outside partners, sponsors, and audiences.  The Sponsorship & Development Associate will report directly to the Sponsorship and Development Manager and/or Director of Development & Partnerships, and provide support by executing on the following responsibilities:

Responsibilities:

In coordination with the Festival President and Development & Partnership Director, the Sponsorship & Development Associate is responsible for the administrative and logistics management and support for the Sponsorship & Development Department.  The Sponsorship and Development Associate will also:

• Assist in creation and management of standard operating processes for the Department
• Provide administrative and logistics support
• Build and support relationships of sponsors by providing strong customer service
• Assist in the renewal process of current sponsors and manage relationships
• Assist in creating marketing materials for sponsorship solicitation and outreach
• Assist in developing and executing creative event activation ideas for sponsors
• Assist in sponsorship agreement process including drafting proposals and questionnaires
• Liaise with the Programming, Business Operations, and Marketing Team in communicating sponsor needs and execution
• Assist in auction item solicitation
• Network and build relationships with sponsors and Festival stakeholders on behalf of the Festival
• Manage the hospitality needs for Festival sponsors and other key stakeholders, including managing RSVP lists, issuing and sending tickets and managing the registration process
• Execute sponsor and partner benefits prior to, during and after the Festival
• Prepare meeting agendas and participate in weekly sponsorship team meetings and other meetings as necessary
• Assist in the creation of sponsor recap reports and thank you letters at the conclusion of the Festival
• Provide comprehensive and timely reports summarizing program activity and project status
• Augment prospect research and cultivation of sponsors and donors.
• Assist in supervising volunteers and interns
• Create and maintain spreadsheets, documents, and reports related to sponsor and partner involvement in the Festival and project status

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field preferred
• Two (2) or more years’ experience directly related to the duties of the position; or
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of the duties of the job listed above
• 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
• Understanding of CRM basics
• 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
• Easily adapt to changing circumstances
• Ability to foster positive, productive relationships, collaboration and teamwork, internally and externally, among staff, board members, volunteers, partners and other Festival stakeholders

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.

NCBF offers a generous benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, short term and long term disability, life insurance, annual leave and sick leave, paid holidays and a 401(k) plan.

Application Instructions

Please send cover letter, resume, and salary history to t opportunity@ncbfdc.org. Include in the subject line “Sponsorship Development Associate”. Applicants will be notified via email if they have been selected for an interview.

NCBF requires that employees are vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, subject to reasonable accommodation as required by law and any other applicable law.

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