What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sales Manager, Corporate Partnerships position at Greater Austin Performing Arts Center, Inc. dba Long Center?
The Sales Manager, Corporate Partnerships, will be responsible for driving new business and revenue growth by cultivating meaningful relationships with companies that want to connect their brand to Austin’s creative community. This role will focus on securing corporate sponsorships, partnerships, and brand activations that advance the Long Center’s mission while delivering measurable value to our partners. This is your chance to connect Austin’s business community to the heartbeat of its creative scene.
This isn’t a sit-back-and-wait kind of role. We’re looking for someone who’s fearless about picking up the phone, walking into the room, and making things happen. A proactive, results-driven sales professional who thrives on finding and closing new opportunities. You’ll research, pitch, and close deals that create win-win opportunities, fueling both our mission and our city’s vibrant arts community. If you’re a natural connector with a passion for Austin and the arts and you know how to turn conversations into commitments, we want to meet you.
This isn’t a sit-back-and-wait kind of role. We’re looking for someone who’s fearless about picking up the phone, walking into the room, and making things happen. A proactive, results-driven sales professional who thrives on finding and closing new opportunities. You’ll research, pitch, and close deals that create win-win opportunities, fueling both our mission and our city’s vibrant arts community. If you’re a natural connector with a passion for Austin and the arts and you know how to turn conversations into commitments, we want to meet you.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Develops and executes proactive go-to-market strategies to identify, pursue, and close new corporate partnerships and sponsorships.
- Builds and maintains a high-volume sales pipeline through cold outreach, networking, events, and strategic prospecting.
- Conducts thorough research to identify target companies, decision-makers, and emerging opportunities within Austin’s business community.
- Writes and delivers compelling proposals and presentations that demonstrate ROI and inspire businesses to invest in the Long Center.
- Negotiates and closes partnership agreements that meet or exceed revenue goals.
- Collaborates with internal teams to ensure smooth onboarding, activation, and renewal of partnerships.
- Maintains accurate sales forecasting and reporting using CRM tools to ensure a clear, real-time view of the pipeline.
- Represents the Long Center at community events, industry functions, and networking opportunities to build visibility and new relationships.
- Continuously assess market trends and competitor activity to refine our approach and stays one step ahead.
- Supports our sales team with other related projects and tasks as needed.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)
- Bachelor's Degree in Sales, Marketing, Business or related field.
- 5 years of successful B2B sales experience, ideally in sponsorship, partnerships, media, or experiential marketing.
- Proven track record for meeting or exceeding aggressive sales goals.
- Exceptional communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
- Entrepreneurial mindset – thrives on independence, ownership and results.
- Skilled in using CRM platforms to track, forecast and manage the sales pipeline. Experience with Momentus and Tessitura is a plus.
- Deep understanding of and connection to the Austin business community is strongly preferred.
- Experience working/selling in the arts/entertainment industries (events, theme parks, sports, hotels, etc.) is preferred.
- Passion for nonprofit, performing arts and live entertainment, with a specific interest in advancing the Long Center’s Mission.
Work Environment and Benefits
This flexible role is expected to regularly report to work onsite at the Long Center with a variable schedule that may include evenings and weekends. In addition to salary, The Long Center offers robust benefits to all full-time employees including:- 9 paid company holidays 2 floating holidays.
- 4 weeks of accrued PTO, which increases to 5 weeks after 4 years of service.
- Robust insurance options including health, dental, vision, life, and disability.
- Roth and Traditional 401k with employer match after 6 full months of service.
- A flexible work environment with access to world class arts & entertainment, free parking, and the best view in town!
