Position Summary

The Corporate Relations Manager reports to the VP of Development. This lead, frontline fundraiser will proactively oversee, develop and grow Blumenthal’s corporate giving program to include: Business Leaders for the Arts (general operating support), programmatic sponsorships, and managing hospitality partners and in-kind giving. The Corporate Relations Manager is responsible for managing a portfolio that will yield $1,000,000+ annually in corporate support through identification, research, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of corporate donors. Plans, implements, and manages corporate giving strategy, volunteers and quarterly events.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Work closely with the VP of Development, volunteer leadership, and other development team members, as appropriate, to ensure appropriate target pipelines are generated to support budget revenue goals.
• Primary responsibility is to research, cultivate and solicit sponsorship requests for Blumenthal education and community programs, including but not limited to: Blumenthal LEAP, Junior Theater Celebration Charlotte, The Blumey Awards, Arts for All Access Grants, Blumenthal Fellows Program, SLAM Charlotte, Charlotte International Arts Festival, and others.
• Oversee all efforts related to Blumenthal Business Leaders for the Arts (BBLA), including but not limited to: face to face meetings and solicitations, developing strategies and tactics; recruiting and managing volunteer leadership; planning, managing and implementing all activities around BBLA events (luncheons, annual dinner and others that may be determined in the future).
• Manage in-kind giving program, including but not limited to: contract negotiation (restaurant partners, dinner theater packages); stewardship of donors; gift card management.
• Responsible for ensuring the usage of in-kind gifts or services for BPA budgeted purposes to meet annual goals. Request in-kind usage from restaurant partners. Ensure in-kind processes are followed by all departments.
• Manage VIP Dinner Packages: identify shows and restaurants; seek approval and set-up with appropriate departments; serve as liaison with partner restaurant.
• Monitor corporate and sponsorships revenue projections and year-over-year comparisons.
• Establish relationships with all current BBLA partners and Blumenthal sponsors for donor retention and upgrades, while also growing new relationships at all levels.
• Develop an annual stewardship and renewal plan for all current partners – recognition (playbill, signage, Business Journal ads, etc.), face-to-face meetings, asks, quarterly newsletter, etc.
• Track all donor and prospect notes and activities through moves management system in AudienceView (AV).
• Work with Annual Giving and Membership manager on the planning and implementation of corporate giving and special appeal activities including but not limited to: complimentary tickets, backstage member tours, Blumey Award VIP reception, and Broadway Junior event.
• Perform a variety of administrative duties including but not limited to: preparing/merging BBLA member renewal letters; ensuring all BBLA materials are up-to-date; drafting letters for volunteers and internal mailings; preparing Blumenthal Performing Arts information packets for prospective BBLA members; and other administrative items as needed.
• Maintain knowledge of the latest fundraising skills and strategies in corporate giving. Remain current with trends and issues pertaining to the performing arts in general and the Blumenthal in particular – its goals, programs, its mission and its vision.
• Contribute to overall team effort in planning and development and share in the decision-making process, implementing and promoting all decisions in a spirit of cooperation.
• Assist in departmental events/functions.
• Some night and weekend work required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in liberal arts, marketing, communications or related field supplemented by a minimum of three years of experience in development/fund-raising and/or sales including demonstrated success in building corporate relationships as well as negotiating and soliciting gifts
• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor’s degree
• Corporate fundraising and special event planning experience preferred
• Knowledge of Charlotte corporate community preferred
• Must be comfortable asking for charitable contributions via phone and face to face meetings
• Must be willing to make cold calls to develop new corporate relationships
• Tenacious in meeting and exceeding fund development goals
• Must exhibit superior organizational skills, oral and written communication skills, editing and presentation skills
• Experience working with a diverse base of leaders and in motivating key volunteers
• Driven, personable, and positive individual with integrity and a sense of humor, who works effectively and collaboratively with Board, donors, volunteers and internal staff
• Self-starter with ability to problem solve and negotiate with tact and diplomacy
• Proven ability to organize information and develop tracking systems
• Strong proficiency in MS Word (mail merges specifically), Outlook, Excel and database management programs required
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and manage multiple deadlines simultaneously
• Genuine interest in the performing arts