Corporate Partnerships and Events Manager

The Corporate Partnerships and Events Manager leads corporate giving and the events that bring donors, sponsors, volunteers, and community members into the work of Art Heals Arizona (formerly Free Arts). This role manages a portfolio of corporate partners and prospects, secures and stewards event sponsorships, and plans and executes a growing calendar of fundraising and community engagement events.

Essential Duties/responsibilities: The position is responsible for both income and expenses for the annual fundraiser, sponsorship revenue for the Resilient Hearts Symposium, and the design of creative sponsorship and corporate social responsibility opportunities, including employee volunteer experiences planned in partnership with the programs team. The Corporate Partnerships and Events Manager reports to the Vice President of Philanthropy and works closely with the Director of Development Operations and Grant Management, the Annual Fund Manager, and the volunteer engagement team.

Department: Development & Marketing

Supervises Others: Yes. Event volunteers and event committees, with the potential to supervise a future coordinator-level position.

Reports to: Vice President of Philanthropy

Employment Status: Full-time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Benefits: Full-time employee benefits

Salary: $56,000 annual salary

Location: Phoenix based, with approximately 15% travel within Maricopa County and surrounding areas

Teleworking & Flexible Schedule Eligible: Yes, can explore modifications after 30 days of employment

Builds Strategic Relationships – Expert level of competency

• Manages a portfolio of corporate partners and prospects, moving relationships from first contact through sponsorship, volunteerism, and long-term engagement.
• Researches and qualifies new corporate prospects with attention to industry fit, corporate social responsibility priorities, employee engagement interests, and giving capacity.
• Serves as the primary relationship contact for corporate partners and event sponsors, coordinating cultivation, recognition, and follow-up with the development team.
• Supports corporate relationships that include grant opportunities by referring those opportunities to the Director of Development Operations and Grant Management and staying engaged with the partner throughout.
• Builds strong working relationships with staff across departments, volunteers, board members, vendors, and community partners.
• Represents Art Heals Arizona at community, chamber, and corporate networking events.
• Tailors proposals, presentations, and follow-up to each corporate audience, from small businesses to national corporate giving teams.
• Moves partners toward deeper engagement over time rather than treating sponsorship as a single annual transaction.

Results Orientation – Advanced level of competency

• Assumes responsibility for corporate revenue and event sponsorship goals established annually with the Vice President of Philanthropy.
• Manages both income and expenses for the annual fundraiser, working within an approved event budget and tracking net revenue throughout the planning cycle.
• Secures new and renewing sponsorships for the organizational fundraiser(s) and the Resilient Hearts Symposium.
• Develops creative sponsorship packages and corporate social responsibility offerings that give partners meaningful, mission-aligned ways to participate.
• Measures event and sponsorship performance, reports results, and adjusts approach based on both qualitative and quantitative outcomes.
• Demonstrates tenacity to achieve goals despite barriers or difficulties.
• Uses participant outcomes, program data, and partner priorities to make a clear, specific case for support.

Planning and Organizing – Advanced level of competency

• Leads planning and execution of a growing calendar of events, including the annual fundraiser, an annual board dinner or salon, and two to four community open house events each year.
• Coordinates with the programs team to plan recurring program events such as the Theater Camp reception and the Storybook Ballet reception.
• Manages event timelines, run of show, vendors, contracts, invitations, guest lists, registration, and day of logistics.
• Recruits, trains, and supervises event volunteers, and staffs event and sponsorship committees with support from the VP of Philanthropy.
• Coordinates event communications, collateral, and sponsor recognition materials with the VP of Philanthropy and marketing team, working within approved brand guidelines.
• Works with programs and marketing staff to share accurate, compelling stories about programming that respect participant dignity, privacy, and consent.

Compliance – Proficient level of competency

• Maintains accurate corporate, sponsor, and event records in the organization’s customer relationship management system (currently Salesforce), following the standards set by the department.
• Tracks sponsor benefits and fulfillment so that every commitment is delivered and documented, including logo placement, printed recognition, and event benefits.
• Routes event and sponsorship contracts, insurance requirements, and vendor paperwork for review and approval before signature.
• Owns the corporate relationship, the volunteer ask, and post-engagement stewardship for corporate volunteer opportunities, partnering closely with the programs volunteer team on scheduling and site logistics. Programs staff retains responsibility for volunteer training, clearance requirements, and all participant-facing supervision.
• Supports timely, accurate acknowledgment of corporate gifts and sponsorships in partnership with the development team.
• Interacts with donors, sponsors, and partners in a professional and friendly manner and adheres to the confidentiality of donor records.

Mission Focused

• Promotes the transformative nature of resilience-building arts programs.
• Makes business decisions grounded in the mission.
• Promotes the healing nature of art, creativity, and connection.
• Advocates for the interests of children, families, volunteers, donors, and community partners.

Communicate Effectively

• Ensures that others involved in a project or effort are kept appropriately informed.
• Tailors communication content, tone, and method (verbal, written, email, phone, etc.) to audience.
• Seeks to fully understand before responding.

Instills Trust

• Consistently delivers on commitments, demonstrating both competence and credibility internally and externally.
• Actions are aligned with intent and words.
• Involves people in decisions that affect them.

Collaborative

• Prioritizes organization and group objectives over individual goals.
• Provides assistance and support to others to help them reach their individual goals.
• Expresses disagreements constructively and works toward solutions that are mutually beneficial.

Self-Management

• Demonstrates the ability to maintain composure.
• Takes initiative and acts without waiting for direction with available information.
• Accepts responsibility for gathering information, taking action and results.

• Three years or more of professional experience in nonprofit fundraising, corporate partnerships, sponsorship sales, event management, or commensurate experience.
• Demonstrated experience planning and executing fundraising or community events, including budgets, vendors, timelines, and volunteers.
• Experience securing sponsorships, corporate gifts, or comparable revenue commitments, with a track record of meeting or exceeding goals.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, strong oral and written communication skills, and the ability to build relationships with corporate partners, board members, donors, and prospects.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple events, deadlines, and stakeholders at the same time.
• Comfort working in a customer relationship management or donor database system, and ability to use Microsoft applications at a high-functioning level.
• Demonstrated commitment to the values of diversity, inclusiveness, and equity.
• Must be able to have access to and provide reliable transportation for self. An AZ driver’s license and proof of insurance is required for qualifying mileage reimbursements.
• Must be able to obtain and hold an Arizona Department of Safety Fingerprint Clearance Card.
• This person frequently interacts with staff, board members, funders, donors, volunteers, and community partners about the programs and services of Art Heals Arizona. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.

Preferred Qualifications

The following qualities and experience in addition to the years of experience are highly desirable:

• Experience managing a corporate partnership, sponsorship, or business development portfolio.
• Existing relationships within the Phoenix corporate, chamber, or corporate social responsibility community.
• Experience with Salesforce or comparable database platforms.
• Experience working with event committees, board volunteers, or corporate volunteer groups.
• Comfort producing polished materials within an established brand, such as sponsorship packets, event collateral, and partner one-pagers, using Canva or comparable design tools. Graphic design experience is a plus.
• Ability to read and write in Spanish.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 70% of the time using a computer.
• Must be able to identify and assess written materials including fine print.
• Must be able to move about event venues during setup, execution, and teardown, including remaining on foot for extended periods.
• Must be able to position self to maintain files, supplies, document boxes, event materials, and other items up to twenty-five pounds as needed.

 Environmental Requirements

• Must be able to regularly work in a well-lit, temperature-controlled work area.
• Must be able to work a mix of weekdays, evenings, and weekends for events as needed.
• Must be able to work at off-site event venues, including occasional outdoor settings.
• Must be able to work in an open area with other employees and volunteers 80% of the time.