Position Summary: In coordination with the Director of Corporate Relations and Sponsorship, the Corporate Relations Manager develops and implements strategies and tactics to expand and grow the Straz Center’s comprehensive corporate development and sponsorship program in support of the Center’s artistic and education programs, and special projects. This position is responsible for retaining current corporate partners and securing new philanthropic and sponsorship support through identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of corporate donors, sponsors and prospects. Performance in this position is measured by the degree of success in securing gift commitments and growing the annual individual donor base, with an emphasis on moves management, making personal contacts, cultivation and stewardship.
This position will represent all Straz Center programs.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities: Working closely with the Director of Corporate Relations and Sponsorship to establish annual strategies and tactics for the corporate program to maximize contributed revenue and increase the number of corporate donors and sponsors by accomplishing the following: • Creates an active pipeline of corporate prospects through research, identification, and tracking of donor activity. • Regularly maintains prospect lists in database with status updates. • Sets a prescribed number of weekly face-to-face appointments with new corporate prospects via telephone and email solicitations and follows through on said appointments. • Helps develop a comprehensive menu of funding/sponsorship opportunities to attract corporate support for education programs, Opera Tampa, mainstage performances and series, fundraising events, and targeted institutional priorities. • Develops and implements solicitation plans to increase designated support for arts education programs, Opera Tampa and special initiatives. • Develops creative individually tailored proposals for each solicitation; proposes recognition or sponsorship benefits and other support materials that enhance presentations. • Solicits for, manages and maintains the Center’s Restaurant, Hotel and Luxury Box Partnership programs, creating collateral, deliverable of benefits, mailings and stewardship. • Stewards and builds ongoing relationships with both current donors and new prospects through personal contact and systematic call management. Focuses efforts to maximize retention rates and secure new corporate gifts. • Maintains system for tracking renewal progress of all major corporate gifts and acquisition efforts. Maintains Tessitura database input to track corporate contacts and solicitations. • Meets regularly with Director of Corporate Relations and Sponsorship, providing a weekly fundraising report with updated status on donor prospects and call/appointment activity. • Monitors fundraising activity and provides appropriate status reports. • Develops and maintains relationships throughout Straz Center departments to identify prospects and encourage center-wide participation in fundraising efforts; ensures coordinated cultivation and solicitation efforts with Manager of Special Events, Marketing, Programming, F&B and Ticket Office Group Sales
The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Straz Center management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary. • Serves as an ambassador of the Straz Center and an active prospect identifier by attending Straz Center events, community activities and networking events.
Supervisory Responsibilities: This position does not include supervisory responsibilities. Secondary Duties and Responsibilities: • Remains current with trends and issues pertaining to the performing arts, in general, and Straz Center in particular. • Maintains current industry knowledge on fundraising skills and strategies in corporate giving and sponsorship. • Contributes to overall team effort in planning and development and shares in the decision-making process, implementing and promoting all decisions in a spirit of cooperation. • Assists in departmental functions and special events and performs other duties when necessary to ensure the overall smooth operation of the department.
Core Competencies: Standardized job requirements for an individual to properly perform this job. Integrity – Demonstrates honesty and ethical practices in all work-related activities according to policies and procedures with or without supervision. Accountability – Takes ownership for deliverables and actions and contributes value to the organization. Communication Effectiveness – Conveys thoughts and ideas effectively through written and verbal communication, listens for understanding, and is able to give and receive constructive feedback. Collaboration and Support of Diversity – Works effectively with others to achieve a shared goal and puts the interest of the organization above one’s own. Customer Service (Internal/External) – Makes the internal/external customer central to all thinking and consistently creates value for the internal/external customer. Results Driven and Solution Oriented – Consistently delivers results that meet or exceed expectations and identifies problems early while taking appropriate action to minimize work disruptions. Organizational Knowledge – Expands knowledge of the organization beyond one’s immediate unit/department to support the mission and core values of the Center. Self-Awareness and Personal Development – Understands the impact of one’s own actions on the organization and others and demonstrates desire, drive, and responsibility to acquire knowledge and skills necessary to perform job more effectively. Provides Leadership – Demonstrates ability to create a positive working environment that inspires commitment to achieving organizational goals and values. Business Practices – Utilizes methods that result in effective business operations, including budget planning and management, input on strategic planning and implementation to meet deliverables (as appropriate), risk management, and adapting to changes to maintain business continuity. Resource Management – Strategically utilizes resources, including human, financial, knowledge, data, and technology.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities): • Demonstrated success in building relationships with corporations and in negotiating and soliciting large gifts. • Strong marketing skills and experience. • Team-oriented and exhibits superior interpersonal skills, including oral, written and presentation skills. • Self-starter with ability to problem-solve and negotiate with tact and diplomacy.
The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.
Straz Center management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary. • Excellent time management skills. • Strong computer and database management skills required, including MS Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint. • Knowledge of Tampa Bay area community and genuine interest in the arts preferred. • Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. Education and Work Experience: • Bachelor’s Degree. • Three to five years fundraising, corporate sales or industry-related experience. Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use the telephone. The employee is frequently required to walk or stand; reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. • The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
