What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manager, Corporate Partnerships position at NJ PERFORMING ARTS?
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) seeks a dynamic and results-driven Manager, Corporate Partnerships to join our team. This role is responsible for developing, managing, and growing corporate partnerships that generate an annual revenue goal of $1.6 million. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with a proven track record in corporate fundraising, possessing excellent business development and relationship-building skills and a passion for the performing arts. As an active front-line fundraiser, this role is responsible for the cultivation, stewardship and acquisition of new corporate donors and renewal of current ones in the $5,000 - $25,000 range, including ownership of a portfolio of approximately 60 corporate donors.
As the largest performing arts center in the state and the most diverse in the country, NJPAC is continually innovating and is in the midst of several exciting projects. These include: creating an arts and culture district in downtown Newark, the expansion of programs and partnerships in Arts Education, Community Engagement and Arts & Well-Being, and creating world-class programming for its 27th season. The Business Partners program at NJPAC is the leading corporate philanthropy program in the region. The program consists of over 100 companies across a variety of industries whose support enables all of our mission-driven work and who benefit from networking with like-minded business leaders at events like the Business Partners Roundtable, client entertainment, and employee benefits.
Key Responsibilities:
● Revenue Generation: Achieve an annual corporate revenue goal of $1.6M –including renewals and new business – through strategic relationship management stewardship and solicitation of small to mid-level Business Partners (approximately 60 accounts) at the $5,000-$25,000 level. Monitor progress against revenue goals and adjust strategies as necessary to ensure targets are met.
● Prospecting and Partnership Development: Identify, cultivate, and secure new corporate partnerships while maintaining and enhancing existing relationships. Actively maintain a pipeline of new qualified corporate prospects, in partnership with the Director, Research and Prospect Management. Write customized proposals and grant applications that align with NJPAC’s mission and corporate partners’ goals.
● Donor Management: Serve as the primary point of contact for Business Partners, ensuring exceptional service and stewardship. Oversee the communication, implementation and fulfillment of partnership benefits and agreements. Engage with Business Partners with the focus of increasing gifts, building value and strengthening the relationship. Manage the Business Partners Committee by scheduling meetings, creating agendas, communicating with members and identifying new members
● Strategic Planning: Collaborate with Director, Corporate Partnerships and department leadership to develop and implement strategic plans for corporate engagement and revenue growth.
● Reporting and Analysis: Track and report on partnership performance, including revenue metrics, engagement levels, and ROI using Salesforce and other tools. Prepare and present regular reports to Department VP and NJPAC leadership.
● Event Production: Coordinate and produce events and experiences for Business Partners, including VIP receptions, behind-the-scenes tours, and special events, ensuring all events align with NJPAC’s brand and deliver a high-quality experience for partners. This includes the production of Business Partner Roundtables (BPRTs) approx. 4 per year - panel and topic curation, event marketing and promotion, strategies for growing attendance of and value for prospects and current Business Partners, and working closely with the Coordinator, Corporate Partnerships on execution of event logistics and marketing.
● Collaboration: Work closely with Women@NJPAC and the internal Development teams to engage Business Partners with opportunities for special fundraising events (i.e. Spotlight Gala and Spring Luncheon), as well as NJPAC’s marketing, social impact, finance, production, and programming teams, the Office of the President, to integrate corporate partnerships into broader organizational initiatives. Foster a collaborative environment to maximize partnership opportunities and impact.
● Community Engagement: Represent NJPAC at industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities to enhance the center’s profile and build potential partnership connections.
Other Attributes:
• Minimum five years demonstrated business development or fundraising experience in a professional sales or development position.
• A self-starter with a proactive, results-oriented work style
• At ease in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial and ever-evolving environment
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, and interpersonal skills
• Team-oriented, with proven ability to collaborate; good listening skills
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to build relationships and consensus across internal teams
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), Adobe Acrobat
• Experience with Salesforce software preferred
• Commitment to the mission and values of NJPAC
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
