Job Title: Director of Strategic Partnerships
Reports To: Executive Director
Location: Orlando, FL (Hybrid)
Position Type: Full-time
Compensation: Competitive Base Salary + Performance Bonus
About Creative City Project and IMMERSE
Creative City Project is dedicated to cultivating a thriving arts community in Orlando; nurturing a deeper sense of ownership of and care for Orlando amongst its residents; and shaping the global perception of our city as one known for innovation and creativity. IMMERSE Fest, our signature event, fills 10 city blocks with hundreds of live performances, immersive art installations and unexpected creative experiences in the heart of Downtown Orlando.
Position Overview
Creative City Project is seeking a dynamic, results-driven Director of Strategic Partnership to lead and grow our portfolio of corporate sponsorships. The ideal candidate is a strong closer with a proven track record in partnerships and sponsorship development, partner cultivation, and revenue generation. This role is responsible for steering and implementing a plan to support CCP’s annual sponsorship and contribution budget. This role plays a crucial part in cultivating relationships with corporate sponsors and community leaders to ensure the continued success and growth of our organization.
Key Responsibilities
Prospecting & Strategy
Develop and execute a strategic partnership plan to meet annual revenue goals, including corporate sponsorships and other revenue generating initiatives.
Identify, research and cultivate relationships with potential sponsors and high net worth individuals that align with CCP’s mission and audience.
Build compelling partnership and sponsorship proposals and customized packages for businesses of all sizes.
Develop and maintain a strong partnership and sponsorship pipeline.
Sales & Deal Execution
Lead partnerships and sponsorship pitches and deliver persuasive presentations to local, regional, and national companies.
Negotiate and finalize partnership and sponsorship agreements with clear deliverables and ROI-focused benefits.
Consistently close new partnerships and sponsorships to drive growth and impact.
Relationship Management
Cultivate and steward long-term partnership and sponsor relationships through proactive communication, recognition, reporting, and fulfillment.
Collaborate with internal teams to deliver exceptional partnership and sponsor experiences.
Ensure sponsor activations align with both partner and CCP goals to deliver maximum ROI.
Marketing & Reporting
Partner with the marketing team to maximize sponsor visibility across campaigns, activations, and media platforms.
Track progress toward revenue goals, providing regular updates to leadership.
Leverage partnerships to amplify CCP and IMMERSE’s brand presence.
Events & Networking
Actively participate in community and industry events to expand CCP’s network and visibility.
Qualifications
Minimum 3 years of experience in sales, partnership & sponsorships, fundraising, or business development, with a proven track record of success.
Demonstrated success in securing and closing sponsorships and high-value partnerships.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
Strong marketing acumen and ability to communicate brand alignment.
Excellent verbal, writing and communication skills with experience in proposal development and donor/sponsor communication.
Highly organized with ability to manage multiple leads and deadlines simultaneously.
Passion or appreciation for the arts, diversity, culture, and community engagement.
Preferred Skills
Knowledge of sponsorship activation, event production, and partnership fulfillment.
Experience using Canva or Adobe Express for simple design projects.
Proficiency in Google Workspace
Success Metrics
Achieve sponsorship and revenue targets
Build and sustain a long-term sponsorship pipeline.
Ensure high sponsor satisfaction, retention, and renewal rates.
Qualified candidates should complete Application Form and upload current resume with a cover letter describing how your skills and experience would fit this role. Include at least one example detailing how you were instrumental in bringing a high-value sponsorship or business development opportunity to a close.
We are seeking to fill this position as soon as possible and will begin initial interviews in mid-October.
