Senior Director of Corporate Relations

The Tech Interactive, since opening in 1998, has been an integral part of the San Francisco Bay area, serving families and young people through hands-on activities, experimental labs, and design challenge experiences. Our mission is to inspire the innovator in everyone. We are a diverse team committed to creating learning experiences that empower young people to innovate with creativity, curiosity, and compassion.

About the role

The Tech Interactive is seeking an experienced corporate fundraising leader to grow and deepen partnerships with companies that share our commitment to inspiring the next generation of innovators. The Senior Director of Corporate Relations will lead The Tech’s corporate fundraising strategy, manage relationships with key corporate partners, and develop new partnerships across Silicon Valley and beyond. This role involves working directly with senior corporate executives, The Tech’s CEO and leadership team, board members, and community leaders to build partnerships that advance STEM education while generating significant philanthropic support.

The Senior Director will manage a small Corporate Relations team and serve as the primary staff partner to the Executive Committee supporting The Tech Challenge, our signature year-long youth engineering program celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a portfolio of significant corporate partners and prospects, managing relationships from identification and discovery through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Build a strong pipeline of new corporate support, including six- and seven-figure partnerships, by developing relationships with senior corporate leaders and identifying mutually beneficial opportunities.
• Serve as The Tech’s expert on corporate fundraising, partnering with the Vice President of Development, CEO, and other leaders to develop strategies and secure support for programs, exhibits, community access, capital projects, and other priorities.
• Lead fundraising strategy for The Tech Challenge, working with its Executive Committee and senior corporate leaders to meet or exceed an annual goal of $900,000.
• Equip board members, Executive Committee members, volunteers, and organizational leaders to cultivate and solicit corporate partners, including preparing them for meetings and ensuring strong follow-up.
• Develop compelling proposals, presentations, budgets, sponsorship materials, and stewardship communications in collaboration with colleagues across The Tech.
• Manage, coach, and develop Corporate Relations staff, establishing clear goals and supporting strong performance and professional growth.
• Track revenue and pipeline progress, using data to identify opportunities, risks, and priorities.

Requirements

• Approximately 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in corporate fundraising, corporate partnerships, business development, sponsorship, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success securing significant corporate support, including developing and making six- and seven-figure asks.
• Strong relationship-building and sales instincts, including the confidence to initiate relationships with C-suite executives, board members, and other senior leaders.
• Experience building fundraising or business-development strategies, developing prospect pipelines, and managing toward ambitious revenue goals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to turn programs and ideas into compelling partnership opportunities.
• Experience supervising and developing staff and collaborating effectively across teams.
• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.

Schedule

This role is based at The Tech Interactive in downtown San Jose and requires a meaningful on-site presence due to the centrality of relationship building. Some flexibility to work from an alternative location may be available depending on business needs and scheduled meetings. The position includes meetings with corporate partners throughout the Bay Area and occasional evening and weekend events.

Pay

The pay range for this role is $130,000 - $140,000 USD per year.