Manager, Corporate Relations

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Designs and implements strategic and operational plans for corporate major gifts, annual assistance through the Corporate Partners Program and Corporate Council, and sponsorships.
• Manages a portfolio of corporate funders to solicit five-and six-figure gifts and corporate sponsorship commitments, with a target goal of $1 Million annually.
• Led and expanded the Corporate Partners Program, increasing corporate engagement, retention and revenue through targeted outreach to meet or exceed an annual goal of $200,000 in membership.
• Manages the Corporate Council and related sub-committees, cultivating relationships and leveraging council engagement to advance institutional goals and support.
• Plans and sets council strategies, agendas and activities.
• Designs and manages a comprehensive sponsorship program, securing significant financial and in-kind support for events and exhibitions across the Garden, Butterfly House, and Shaw Nature Reserve.
• Oversees the full sponsorship lifecycle from prospecting and proposal development to activation, recognition, and stewardship.
• Supports Director, Major and Institutional Giving, Senior Vice President of Institutional Advancement, and senior leadership to advance the Garden’s mission and vision.
• Supervises the Institutional Giving Coordinator, providing strategic direction and mentorship to achieve departmental goals and professional growth.
• Works in partnership with Communication and Marketing to develop compelling sponsorship benefits, recognition, and activation packages; ensuring proper benefit fulfillment and stewardship.
• Represents the Garden with professionalism and purpose, conducting high-level donor and prospect tours, participating in fundraising meetings, and supporting events across all Garden sites.
• Works within Tessitura to ensure accurate maintenance of all corporate records (active and archive), as well as, manages the Corporate Partner membership renewals and tax acknowledgement letters.
• Assumes a leadership role in setting appointments with current and prospective supporters, conducting the meetings alone or as part of a staff team, and coordinating necessary follow-up.
• Provides comprehensive and timely reports for summarizing activity, project status, and work plan timelines.
• Maintains awareness of corporate activity in St. Louis and beyond to identify new and existing prospects.
• Meets expected attendance guidelines.
• Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.
• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork, collaboration, and respect within the division and throughout the Garden with all employees, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors, and others.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of successful experience in fundraising, including knowledge of annual giving, major gifts, and corporate and foundation solicitations.
• Prior experience in Project Management is required.
• Available to work evening and weekend hours for special projects and events.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and team-building skills.
• Strong listening and problem-solving abilities with a positive and proactive approach.
• Ability to set and manage deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with internal team members at all levels of an organization for the purposes of achieving goals/objectives.
• Adheres to all health and safety policies/procedures.