Interim Sponsorship Manager (April - October)

Department: Development
Reports To: Senior Director of Development
Employment Type: Full-Time

Overview

The Interim Sponsorship Manager plays a key role in cultivating, securing, and stewarding corporate, business, and community partnerships that support the Basie Center’s programming, education initiatives, community engagement, and special events. This position requires a strong blend of fundraising, relationship management, managerial oversight, and event execution skills. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast‑paced performing arts environment and enjoys being on the front lines - meeting sponsors, elevating their experience, and bringing partnership activations to life. Evening and weekend availability is essential, as the role includes attending performances at the Basie Center and ParkStage to meet with sponsors and oversee signage, on‑site activations, and hospitality.

Organizational Background

Founded in 1926, The Count Basie Center for the Arts is New Jersey’s premier center for the cultural arts, with a mission to Inspire, Educate and Entertain through its variety of live events, opportunities in arts education and community engagement. Every year, tens of thousands of students and more than a quarter million eventgoers experience Count Basie Center programming.

Over the last decade, the Basie Center organization has grown to include two performances spaces (the historic Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre and The Vogel), Basie Center Cinemas, community theatre company Phoenix Productions, and the Grunin Arts & Education Building, home to all Turner Academy of the Arts programming, including the Count Basie Center Conservatory of Music.

The Count Basie Center embraces and amplifies positive change through diversity and inclusion — from our offerings onstage, to our work in the community and our efforts to recruit the best possible workforce for our nonprofit organization.

Key Responsibilities

1. Sponsorship Strategy & Program Execution

• Foster relationships with local organizations and community stakeholders.
• Supervise one part-time sponsorship salesperson and event support staff, particularly for ParkStage, ensuring smooth communication, fulfillment, and hospitality.

2. Partnership Cultivation & Fundraising

• Prospect and cultivate new sponsors through outreach and community engagement.
• Develop customized proposals highlighting community impact, audience reach, and brand visibility in collaboration with Marketing.
• Lead sponsorship negotiations, contract creation, and benefit structuring.

3. Stewardship & Benefit Fulfillment

• Serve as the primary sponsor contact, ensuring excellent communication and service.
• Manage fulfillment for all Basie Center and ParkStage sponsor programs, including logos, ads, digital content, tickets, schedules, signage, client tours, presentations, and reporting.
• Maintain regular contact with past and current sponsors; ensure timely acknowledgements and donor communications.

4. Event, Administration & Reporting

• Maintain accurate sponsorship records in Raiser’s Edge.
• Track revenue, pipeline activity, and partner engagement.
• Ensure sponsor integration and visibility across all venues and events.
• Support special events including the annual summer gala, community events and cultivation events.
• Prepare Sponsorship recaps and board updates.
• Monitor and report on results of solicitation, marketing, and sponsorship activities.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in sponsorships, corporate partnerships, or fundraising, ideally in performing arts or cultural organizations.
• Strong proposal writing and communication skills, with ability to articulate mission and impact.
• Creative and detail-oriented with excellent follow-through.
• Demonstrated success in securing sponsorships, partnerships, or sales.

This position operates on a hybrid schedule that allows for remote work 2 days a week and is eligible for The Basie’s competitive benefits package that includes paid time off, health insurance and a 401(k)-retirement plan including company match.

The monthly salary range is $5,500 - $6,000 commensurate with experience.

This interim position includes a completion bonus payable upon successful fulfillment of the full assignment term.

Interested candidates should apply on The Basie website at https://thebasie.org/jobs/. No phone calls please.

Pay: $5,500.00 - $6,000.00 per month

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Application Question(s):

• Are you available to work on the weekends or evenings as needed?

Experience:

• Strategic partnerships: 3 years (Required)
• Proposal writing: 1 year (Required)
• Working in an artistic/cultural organization: 1 year (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Red Bank, NJ 07701 (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Red Bank, NJ 07701

Salary : $5,500 - $6,000