Director of Corporate Partnership - Columbus Symphony Orchestra

Overview

Director of Corporate Partnership - CSO at CAPA-Columbus Association for the Performing Arts

The Columbus Symphony has served as central Ohio’s flagship music organization since 1951. Guided by the artistic vision of Music Director Rossen Milanov, the Symphony offers four programming brands – Masterworks, Pops, Picnic with the Pops, and Education/Community Engagement – to reach new, younger, and more diverse audiences.

The Columbus Symphony enriches the central Ohio community through outstanding musicianship and performances by our musicians, conductors, chorus, and world-renowned guest artists.

Do you have a talent for building strong relationships with the corporate sector and aligning philanthropic goals with meaningful community impact? Are you motivated to secure transformational sponsor ships and partnerships that fuel the arts? Are you passionate about advancing orchestral music, education, and community engagement in central Ohio?

The Director of Corporate Partnership, a member of the Development team reporting to the Chief Development Officer, designs and implements a comprehensive corporate giving and sponsorship strategy. The Director cultivates, solicits, and stewards corporate partners, aligning their goals with the Symphony’s priorities in artistic excellence, education, and community engagement. This role drives corporate revenue growth to ensure partnerships are impactful, sustainable, and mutually beneficial.

• Learn current CSO corporate sponsorship and giving programs.
• Meet with the CDO, Development staff, and senior leadership to understand priorities, processes, and opportunities.
• Review current corporate relationships and pipeline; provide observations and recommendations to the Chief Development Officer.

• Begin active cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of corporate partners.
• Develop at least three customized sponsorship proposals tailored to specific industries or companies.
• Oversee fulfillment of existing sponsorship agreements, ensuring deliverables are executed accurately and on time.
• Collaborate with Marketing/Communications, Artistic, and Education teams to integrate corporate partner visibility into Symphony programming.
• Measures of Success:
  Renewal of key partnerships, launch of at least one new corporate sponsorship, delivery of partner recognition at agreed-upon levels, and 80%+ partner satisfaction.

• Secure multiple new corporate sponsor ships and gifts of $25,000+.
• Expand the pipeline by identifying at least five new industries or sectors for potential alignment.
• Implement a formal stewardship plan for the top 10–15 corporate partners.
• Represent the Symphony at community and corporate events to enhance visibility and networking opportunities.
• Measures of Success:
  Year-over-year growth in corporate sponsorship revenue, increased retention rates of current partners, and strong stakeholder satisfaction.

• Support and coach Board members in corporate outreach.
• Represent the Symphony at networking, donor, and community events.
• Availability for evening and weekend concerts, special events, and donor engagements as required.
• This job description is not exhaustive; duties may change or new items may be assigned.

• Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage senior-level corporate teams.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to align corporate goals with organizational needs.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM systems (Tessitura, Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce).
• Knowledge of and passion for the performing arts preferred.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; advanced degree or CFRE certification preferred.
• Typically, a minimum of 5 years of experience in corporate fundraising, sponsorship sales, or business development, preferably in the nonprofit or performing arts sector.
• Demonstrated success securing corporate sponsor ships and gifts of $25,000+.