Associate Director, Business Development & Partnerships

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Associate Director, Business Development & Partnerships is an outwardly facing role responsible for leading and growing the BSO Business Partners program, which serves as a premier corporate membership initiative within the organization. This role is instrumental in cultivating relationships with corporate donors, securing financial support, and substantially contributing to a broad corporate prospect pipeline for both Business Partners and Corporate Sponsors. The Associate Director will oversee the prospecting, acquisition, retention, and engagement strategies for the Business Partner program, while ensuring corporate prospects that have a higher giving capacity are identified and targeted to meet broader Corporate Sponsor revenue goals. In addition, this role will oversee the department trade partner relationships, and other sponsor relationships as assigned.

This position requires a dynamic and strategic leader with strong business development skills, a passion for corporate relationship management, and an understanding of the role corporate support plays in arts organizations. The Associate Director will work closely with the Director of Corporate Partners, other members of the Development team, and various internal departments to foster a vibrant and engaged corporate community.

ABOUT THE BSO

The Boston Symphony Orchestra engages millions of people each year in the remarkable diversity and wonder of orchestral music and maintains homes at its iconic venues, Boston’s Symphony Hall and Tanglewood in Western Massachusetts. From the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on the Charles River Esplanade to free community concerts throughout Greater Boston, an annual BSO Youth and Family series at Symphony Hall, humanities programs at the Tanglewood Learning Institute, and tour performances in concert halls around the world, the BSO remains committed to innovation, creativity, artistry, cultural relevance, education, civic engagement, and making orchestral music accessible to audiences of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of familiarity. At home, abroad, and through recordings, television, and radio broadcasts, a deep and inclusive commissioning legacy, and a history of cultivating emerging artists, the BSO reinforces its status as one of the world’s most accomplished and versatile ensembles, attracting world-renowned guest artists, composers, and conductors.

On the eve of its 150th anniversary, the BSO is ready for change, and to open the next chapter in its history. The development department will be essential to fueling and supporting this transformation.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The Associate Director, Business Development & Partnerships is an individual contributor reporting to the Director of Corporate Partners.

Job Description

Program Leadership, Sales, and Growth

• Develop and manage a strategic sales plan for the Business Partners and In-Kind Trade programs to achieve and exceed annual revenue goals.

• Build and maintain a comprehensive corporate prospect list that identifies sponsorship history, business priorities and alignment with the BSO, and capacity. With the Director, develop a strategy and outreach plan for prospects to maximize support for BSO programs.

• Enhance visibility for the Business Partners program by actively networking at external events to meet new corporate prospects and through targeted campaigns and digital outreach.

• Provide quantitative and qualitative analysis of pipeline activity and movement to drive strategic planning, including modeling and donor journey analytics.

• Serve as the primary liaison for BSO Business Partners, ensuring consistent communication, engagement, and fulfillment of benefits.

Operations

• Organize annual partner networking event. Integrate partners into other live and virtual recognition events organized by other Development colleagues.

• Oversee trade partners program and additional corporate partners as assigned, including sales and delivery of contractual obligations including benefits and internal/external reporting.

• Manage BSO Business Partners Council, a leadership group of members who meet throughout the year with a goal of supporting and growing the BSO Business Partners.

• Create compelling value propositions and marketing materials (brochure, results/reports, advertisements, social campaigns) to highlight the benefits of the Business Partners to raise the profile of the program, and to generate interest and sales.

Qualification Requirements

• Minimum seven (7) years of experience in corporate partnerships, business development, fundraising, or related fields.

• Proven track record in growing sales to corporate community in the Boston region. Previous sales experience for a membership organization is a plus.

• Strong leadership and relationship management skills, with the ability to engage and steward corporate executives.

• Strong experience in traditional and emerging prospect identification and management processes.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience developing compelling proposals and presentations.

• Strong communicator and an exceptional listener with effective interpersonal skills and an ability to build collaborative, trusting and respectful relationships.

• Possessing a high level of initiative and a sense of urgency, the ideal candidate will demonstrate adaptability, resourcefulness, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• Knowledge of classical music is a plus.

• Ability to think strategically and creatively to identify new business partnership opportunities.

• Strong computer skills including MS Word, Excel, and relational databases. Experience with Tessitura or a similar CRM database is a plus.

• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, holidays and attend concerts and events.

• Commitment to working with people from diverse backgrounds and a commitment to cultural competency.

The BSO is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.