Corporate Relations Officer

Department: Advancement

Position Type: Full Time

Hourly or Salary: Salary

Salary Range: $60,000-$70,000

Overview

Reporting to the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, the Corporate Relations Officer develops and implements strategies to diversify contributed revenue income streams, securing operating, capital, and special project funding from corporate entities.

The Corporate Relations Officer works closely with members of the leadership team, program staff, and other key stakeholders to establish funding priorities, build holistic relationships with current and prospective corporate partners, develop compelling sponsorship benefit and recognition packages, and create outstanding funding proposals to lead to a substantive increase in philanthropic support for Newfields operations and programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Sponsorship Sales & Cause Related Marketing                                                                                                   55%

• Work cross-departmentally to learn about long-term exhibitions, programs, festivals and events to create dynamic and mutually beneficial marketing opportunities for corporate partners that provide exciting benefit packages and recognition opportunities that inspire ongoing support
• Develop and manage a portfolio of up to 100 existing and prospective corporate partners
• Facilitate connections between the President & CEO, VP for Advancement, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, and the corporate community by making introductions, setting annual strategy meetings, and providing opportunities for high-level leadership engagement
• Develop detailed cultivation and solicitation strategies to engage funders holistically and increase overall support

• Research, evaluate, and identify new local, national, and international corporate funding prospects Cultivate Corporate Members into a giving pipeline to encourage larger support of annual programs
• Conduct proactive outreach to identify and connect with key decision-makers for sponsorship, philanthropy, business development, and employee wellbeing
• Actively pursue earned income opportunities, such as group ticket sales and event rental, where appropriate – UPSELL
• Host and attend events to make new connections in the Indianapolis business community
• Promote the growth of a new Corporate Membership program

Account Management                                                                                                                                                  30%

• Communicate with sponsors by phone, through email and face-to-face to ensure their needs are understood and addressed and the relationship is strengthened
• Build strong sponsor relationships to maintain and grow existing partnerships and acquire new supporters
• Collaborate with various internal departments to ensure they fulfill all sponsor requests and terms of the sponsorship agreement
• Resolve potential issues and complaints track of all processes that pertain to the sponsor’s desires
• Act as the sponsor’s representative to ensure their needs are met with a focus on improving the customer experience

Administrative                                                                                                                                         15%

• Develop customized proposals and sponsorship agreements that document the opportunities for support and commitments from corporate donors
• Maintain accurate and timely tracking of all donor activities using Raiser’s Edge
• Report on annual program accomplishments and forecast future growth opportunities
• In partnership with the Member and Donor Engagement Team, plan annual events as needed and ensure all benefits fulfillment for Corporate Member
• Collect and analyze data concerning cause related marketing and sponsorship in like institutions to remain competitive in the market

COMPETENCIES

Core Competencies

• Stewardship-creating a vibrant Newfields for current and future generations.
• Inclusivity-welcoming diverse audiences and ideas.
• Service-believing in the guest is our priority.
• Excellence-striving to offer the best of nature and the arts.

Position-specific Competencies

• Helpful – Serves sponsors and staff in a friendly, patient, and positive manner in acting as a key externally facing representative of the organization
• Detail-oriented – Ensures accurate record keeping with meticulous attention to sponsor information and carefully follows protocols
• Collaborative – Demonstrates skills in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, teamwork, and problem-solving to achieve goals.
• Effective communicator – Communicates clearly both orally and written, including the ability to listen effectively and to comfortably interact with constituents at all levels and backgrounds. Requires outstanding interpersonal, negotiation and relationship building skills.
• Conscientious – Repeatedly produces consistent and polished work from established professional disciplines and guidelines; always works to meet high quality standards
• Organized – Promptly assists staff and sponsors in an organized, efficient, and steady manner; takes pride in maintaining accurate systems

Educations and/or Experience

• Undergraduate degree required; Graduate studies or Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience and proven track record in securing substantive funding from corporations required
• Experience with sales in for-profit sector/corporate environment a plus

Physical Demands of Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of that that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/ or move up to 25 pounds

Work environment: The work environment is often dynamic and fast-paced, especially during times of crisis or when managing major corporate events. Corporate Relations Officers need to be adaptable and responsive to changes in the business landscape. Corporate Relations Officers generally work in an office environment. This may include a dedicated office space, a cubicle, or an open-plan workspace but also goes out into the community to engage donors. 

Salary : $60,000 - $70,000