Corporate Partnerships Manager

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
The Parthenon and Centennial Park have been essential parts of Nashville’s fabric for more than a century. Centennial Park Conservancy sustains the vibrancy of Nashville’s Centennial Park, home to the historic Parthenon, by supporting Metro Parks in revitalizing and activating this public green space to ensure the park remains a welcoming destination for recreation, culture, education, and community connection for all. The organization is responsible for a variety of initiatives focused on caring for the Park, including:

Centennial Park Revitalization – a public and private partnership with Metro Parks to revitalize Nashville’s central park to serve our residents and visitors; achieved through capital improvement projects, the Centennial Park Beautification Fund, Sylvia Rapoport Future Fund, and Parthenon Preservation Fund
The Parthenon – a full-scale replica of the Grecian monument that operates as an engaging museum, presenting humanities exhibitions and educational programming for over 350K visitors annually
Musicians Corner – an outdoor music series attended by 80K people annually that presents free, diverse, and accessible live music for all
Kidsville – an educational program that serves over 70K children (ages 2-12) annually and provides free activities in the Parthenon, and Metro Parks Community Centers across the city
Nashville Earth Day – the city’s official event attended by 12K people to celebrate and protect our environment. The program also provides grants for city-wide environmental projects annually

ABOUT THE POSITION
Centennial Park Conservancy (CPC) is in the midst of a 7-year strategic plan to significantly expand support of the Park and Parthenon. Corporate Partnership revenue is an integral revenue source (16%), supporting the organization’s operating budget as well as restricted projects for the Centennial Park Revitalization and the Parthenon. Successful candidates will have an excellent track-record of selling partnerships for general operating support, events, festivals, museums, donor programs, and capital campaigns. The Corporate Partnerships Manager serves as an essential member of the Development Team, aligning sponsorship with the organization’s development plan, programmatic goals, and revitalization efforts. Reporting to the Vice President of Development, this person collaborates with the department to create and implement strategies to attract and maintain corporate partnerships and sustainable revenue for the organization.

Success will include the ability to identify compelling opportunities for engagement suited for both Centennial Park Conservancy and corporate objectives, and synthesize those opportunities into strategic partnerships.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Execute all aspects of the corporate sponsorship plan, including:
Researching and identifying prospects
Cultivating and managing of a large portfolio relationships;
Development of proposals and solicitations;
Successfully secure partnerships that achieve annual revenue goals
Fulfilling sponsor recognition in partnership with the Programming and Marketing teams.
Create sponsorship programs and proposals that leverage the value and community reach of the organization and its arts & educational programs;
Ensure an active pipeline of current and prospective sponsors;
Identify and qualify new leads through research, demonstrated affinity, discussion with staff & board, and other resources;
Expand the organization’s network of corporate contacts through personal one-to-one outreach, professional networking events, and community engagements;
Collaborate with the marketing team to develop and execute campaigns for sponsors that enhance corporate visibility.
Establish an annual plan of revenues and expenditures for the corporate sponsorship program that links to overall fundraising goals for the Parthenon, Musicians Corner, Kidsville, Nashville Earth Day, Volunteer Program, and Revitalization projects.
Meet with prospects and sell sponsorships to achieve sponsorship revenue goals: currently $600K for 2025
Execute sponsorship contracts
Maintain meticulous records of partnership opportunities, pledges, contracts, and stewardship activities in CPC’s SalesForce CRM.
Work with the Director of Finance to invoice and collect sponsorship payments
Work collaboratively with the organization’s programming and marketing teams to ensure proper fulfillment
Create compelling sponsorship recaps to communicate the impact and value of each partnership to ensure annual renewals
Occasionally develop a fundraising strategy that goes beyond event sponsorship, such as a capital campaign, corporate clean-up programs, and mobile marketing activations in Centennial Park.
Steward relationships with sponsors according to Development Department standards, express gratitude for their support of the organization, and strive to maintain long-term partnerships
Assist with key donor engagement events including Good Neighbor Volunteer Days, Centennial Circle Dinner, the Patron Circle Reception, Donor & Member Appreciation Day, Gratitude Gathering, and the ECHO Chamber Music events as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Proven expertise creating, selling,and renewing corporate partnerships, with a minimum of three or more years experience, and local Nashville experience is a plus
Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation (Google Slides or equivalent), and research skills.
Strong organizational and project management skills; exceptional accuracy and attention to detail
Ability to organize workload, exercise independent judgment, and maintain self- motivated and self-directed schedule
Capable of addressing and prioritizing multiple projects in time-sensitive manner, taking initiative and remaining flexible to ensure objectives are met accurately and timely
Team player who works collaboratively to achieve mutual goals
Entrepreneurial and creative approach to fundraising
Committed to maintaining the integrity of confidential communications and/or activities
Professional, courteous, cooperative, and positive in interactions with colleagues, partners, stakeholders, and others
Strong knowledge of technology, including Apple programs, Google Workspace, and CRM applications
Nonprofit sales experience a plus, preferably in Nashville
Availability to work some evenings and weekends as needed for events
Ability and lift up to 40 pounds

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Resume
Proposal sample(s) or collateral of recent sponsorships sales application you have created that demonstrate the excellence of your work.

REPORTS TO
Vice President of Development & Park Partnerships

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Compensation commensurate with experience
12 paid Metro Holidays
3 weeks paid time off. Up to 5 additional days off with 5+ years of tenure with CPC
We currently have an additional 20 days off, including summer Fridays, Thanksgiving Week, and Year-End Break. We semi-close for the last two weeks of the year, while still handling time-sensitive fundraising tasks.
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
Retirement plan with 3% company match

Work Schedule: We are currently working in a hybrid remote in-office environment. This position is required to be in the office a few days a week and meet with partners weekly. When not in office or at partner meetings, this position has the flexibility to work from home.