Director of Corporate Relations

AT&T Performing Arts Center•Dallas, TX

About The Position

The Director of Corporate Relations grows corporate relationships and sponsorship income to support the AT&T Performing Arts Center’s strategic areas, including general operations, programs, special events, and capital improvements. The role works closely with the VP of Development, senior staff, and the Board of Directors Corporate Partners Committee to develop strategies for corporate partnerships, sponsorships, and corporate foundation relationships. It cultivates new and existing funders, develops and negotiates sponsorship opportunities, and manages a portfolio of top funders and prospects. The Director manages a direct report and oversees sponsorship fulfillment, partner stewardship, event management, corporate member relationships, the Auxiliary Board of Young Professionals, and the Center Social young professionals group. The role evaluates the Center’s annual Turn Up the Lights fundraising event and plans its execution, while delegating day-to-day planning to the Corporate Manager. It also ensures effective fundraising data and communications infrastructure, tracks contacts and strategies in Tessitura, and oversees revenue pipeline reporting and forecasting. The position calls for a detail-oriented, organized, professional team player who can work autonomously, exercise independent judgment, and succeed in a fast-paced, changing environment. The Director is expected to exemplify the Center’s Core Values and support its mission and vision. A flexible event schedule is required, including many nights, weekends, and holidays.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited university, or equivalent related experience as determined by the hiring department.
At least 5 years of experience working with corporate entities in fundraising, or equivalent experience.
Demonstrated success generating significant commitments from corporate partners.
Excellent verbal, written, budgetary, and problem-solving skills.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Flexible schedule for events, including many nights, weekends, and holidays.
Ability to establish priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent organizational skills and high attention to detail.
Highly motivated self-starter able to work independently and in a group setting as a team player.
Ability to initiate and build relationships with prospective donors; excellent networking and negotiation skills.
Ability to maintain poise and professionalism in all circumstances.
Advanced computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), donor database/CRM systems, and creating presentations, proposals, and fundraising materials.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Tessitura.

Responsibilities

Work with the VP of Development to set goals, priorities, and direction for sponsorship and corporate partnerships.
Partner with senior staff leadership and the Board of Directors Corporate Partners Committee to develop strategies and plans to grow philanthropic revenue from corporate partnerships, sponsorships, and corporate foundation relationships.
Develop and cultivate partnerships with new and existing funders.
Create sponsorship opportunities for targeted prospects, present the Center’s assets and marketing capabilities, align opportunities with corporate social responsibility pillars, demonstrate branding value, and structure, price, negotiate, and close partnerships.
Manage a direct report, identified in the job summary as the Corporate Manager.
Work with the Corporate Manager to oversee sponsorship deliverables, partner stewardship, event management, and a portfolio of corporate member companies.
Manage a portfolio of top funders and prospects and assign a portfolio for the Corporate Manager.
Oversee management of the Auxiliary Board of Young Professionals.
Manage the Center Social young professionals group and create an engagement strategy and annual plan to increase membership.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the annual Turn Up the Lights fundraising event and create an execution plan, adjusting strategy where needed and delegating day-to-day planning to the Corporate Manager.
Ensure strong data and communications infrastructure to support corporate fundraising.
Track contacts and strategies in Tessitura using Plans, and oversee revenue pipeline reporting and forecasting.
Exemplify the Center’s Core Values and pursue the organization’s mission and vision.
Hire, train, mentor, and manage the performance of the direct report.
Perform other duties as required.