Director of Development and Partnerships

National Cherry Blossom Festival • Washington, WA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Development and Partnerships is a mission-critical leader responsible for advancing the National Cherry Blossom Festival's financial sustainability, strategic growth, and long-term success. Reporting directly to the President and CEO, this position leads all sponsorship, partnership, donor, and revenue-generation efforts while managing the Development and Partnerships team. The Director will develop and execute strategies to identify, cultivate, secure, and steward corporate, philanthropic, community, and government partners. Success in this role requires the ability to build authentic, long-term relationships and create innovative, customized partnership and sponsorship solutions that align partner objectives with the Festival's mission, audience, and community impact. As a senior leader and ambassador for the Festival, the Director collaborates across departments to drive partnership activation, create meaningful collaborations, and enhance the experience of the Festival's 1.5 million annual attendees. The ideal candidate brings a proven track record in fundraising, sponsorship sales, partnership development, creative solution selling, and team leadership. The successful candidate thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and demonstrates exceptional communication, negotiation, relationship-building, and project management skills.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Nonprofit Management, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience in fundraising, sponsorship sales, business development, partnership management, or related fields.
• Minimum of four (4) years of leadership and team management experience.
• Demonstrated success securing corporate sponsorships, philanthropic support, and strategic partnerships.
• Proven ability to grow revenues and expand a sponsorship or donor portfolio.
• Exceptional relationship-building, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including proposal and presentation development.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• High level of professionalism, initiative, accountability, and attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, consultants, board members, and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Experience with CRM and database management systems.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Monday.com and Slack preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Development and Partnerships team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and excellence.
• Manage departmental operations, including planning, goal setting, performance management, and professional development.
• Establish and monitor fundraising, sponsorship, and partnership goals.
• Provide oversight for staff, contractors, interns, and volunteers supporting development initiatives.
• Serve as a primary ambassador and public representative of the Festival.
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with sponsors, donors, community leaders, elected officials, and key stakeholders.
• Develop strategic alliances with business, tourism, hospitality, cultural, and community organizations.
• Represent the Festival at networking events, industry functions, and community meetings.
• Develop and execute strategies to secure financial and in-kind support.
• Build and manage a robust pipeline of corporate, philanthropic, and community partners.
• Create compelling sponsorship proposals, presentations, and partnership agreements.
• Negotiate sponsorship agreements, renewals, and multi-year commitments.
• Design innovative and customized sponsorship and partnership programs that align partner objectives with Festival assets, audience engagement opportunities, and community impact.
• Develop creative, value-driven partnership solutions and activation concepts that address unique partner needs, deliver measurable results, and create mutual benefit for both partners and the Festival.
• Execute fundraising plans that achieve annual revenue goals and support long-term sustainability.

Benefits

• health insurance with prescription drug, dental, and eye plans (substantially underwritten by NCBF)
• annual and sick leave
• short-term and long-term disability
• life insurance
• flexible spending account
• 401K plan with safe harbor contributions eligible 6 months after hire
• parking/transit subsidy

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director