Manager - Sponsorship Planning

The anticipated hiring rate for this position is $70,000 per year. Hiring offers will be determined based on the final candidate’s qualifications and experience. The recruiter can share more information about what the anticipated hiring rate/salary would be based upon your specific qualifications during the selection process. 

The CIA offers a substantial benefits package that includes medical coverage available at no cost to qualifying employees, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, short and long term disability insurance, retirement savings plan with high employer contributions, a generous paid time off program, and more!

As the benefits package at the CIA results in a significant value above the base hiring salary for this position, we encourage you to apply so that our recruiters can share more information with you about the benefits of working for the CIA.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Manager of Sponsorship Planning oversees sponsorship fulfillment with a strong focus on organization, hospitality, and delivering exceptional sponsor experiences. This role manages existing sponsorships, ensuring the timely execution of benefits for the CIA’s thought leadership conferences and collaboratives. The Manager plays a key role in elevating sponsor satisfaction and contributes to the SIG team’s mission of positioning the CIA as a global thought leader in culinary and related industries.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Sponsorship Fulfillment

• Lead the sponsorship fulfillment process, including onboarding, benefit execution, post-event recaps, and renewal recommendations.
• Develop and manage annual sponsor deliverable plans to ensure timely completion of benefits.
• Serve as the primary liaison for sponsors, providing event details and coordinating deliverables.
• Conduct onboarding calls to ensure a seamless sponsor experience and commitment fulfillment.
• Maintain accurate sponsor representation on program websites, including naming, logos, and links.
• Collaborate with the SIG Executive Chef to incorporate sponsored products into program menus.
• Draft and manage regular sponsor communications with updates, reminders, and deadlines.

Management and Collaboration

• Draft sponsorship agreements and invoices; ensure proper documentation and timely filing.
• Coordinate with Accounts Receivable for efficient invoice and revenue collection.
• Track sponsorship benefits using logistics spreadsheets to ensure accurate execution.
• Manage the creation of sponsorship campaign materials, artwork, and event signage.
• Assist in refining event project timelines to improve processes year over year.
• Collaborate with Program Directors to align sponsored seminars and workshops with sponsor expectations while maintaining program integrity.
• Update FAQs and resources to address common sponsor inquiries and improve future engagements.

Event Support

• Serve as the on-site point of contact for sponsors, delivering exceptional hospitality.
• Support event setup and breakdown, including sponsor materials and exhibits.
• Confirm and communicate the status of sponsor-shipped items before and after events.
• Ensure sponsor activations are well-documented with event photography.
• Oversee logistical tasks, including room hosting, scanning, and coordinating rental items.
• Manage inventory and receipt of sponsor shipments, including shelf-stable goods and marketing materials.

Stewardship

• Engage current and past sponsors to renew, upgrade, and expand partnerships.
• Oversee sponsorship stewardship systems, ensuring timely updates to internal teams and sponsor organizations.
• Maintain a hospitality-focused approach in all external communications, expressing gratitude for sponsor support.
• Support strategic partnerships with academic institutions, industry organizations, and trade publications.
• Any and all other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Associate’s Degree required from an accredited college or university.

Experience:

• Two (2) to four (4) years of work experience within sponsorship fulfillment, event planning, customer success-role, or higher education with documented success matrix.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Culinary background, preferably with both back and front of the house experience.
• Bachelor’s Degree concentration in hospitality, fundraising, event planning, business or a related field is desirable.
• Prior event coordination, event management and/or sponsored event experience.
• Degree from the Culinary Institute of America strongly preferred. 

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Strong communication and creative skills across multiple mediums, ranging from written words to graphic design.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office suite products, i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Work requires continual attention to detail in composing, typing and proofing materials, establishing priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills; ability to be adaptable, dependable and handle multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to show a high level of service responsiveness to customers and effective partnerships.
• Ability to use sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive issues with confidentiality and discretion.
• Excellent written, verbal communication, and presentation skills required. Must have demonstrated ability in organizational, time management, problem solving and interpersonal skills.
• Must have a proven, consistent track record showing the ability to work with all levels within an organization.
• Must display a high level of energy and self-motivation.
• Must be conscientious about event and project timeline related details especially with respect to program support.
• Demonstrated strong analytical and organizational skills.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Must be available to work nights and weekends as required due to business needs.
• Occasional travel to support conferences that are remote from the CIA California campus, as required.
• Regular work requires the use of a computer, sometimes in excess of eight (8) hours per day.
• Ability to stand and work for extended periods of time during customary service hours.
• Must be able to work at both locations of the CIA California campus (Copia in Napa, CA and Greystone in St. Helena, CA). Must possess own transportation in order to travel between locations during the work day as required.

Salary : $70,000