Corporate Relations Manager

ORGANIZATION

Mount Auburn Cemetery is the first rural, or garden, cemetery in the United States, located on the line between Cambridge and Watertown 4 miles west of Boston. It is the burial site of many prominent Bostonians as well as being a National Historic Landmark. Dedicated in 1831 and set with classical monuments in a rolling landscaped terrain, it marked a distinct break with Colonial-era burying grounds and church-affiliated graveyards. The 175-acre cemetery is important both for its historical aspects and for its role as botanic garden. It is Watertown's largest contiguous open space and extends into Cambridge to the east. It was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 2003.

Position Summary

The Corporate Relations Manager is responsible for developing, managing, and growing relationships with corporate partners to secure sponsorships, philanthropic support, employee engagement opportunities, and in-kind contributions. This role works collaboratively across departments to identify partnership opportunities that align with organizational priorities, mission-driven programming, and community engagement goals.

The ideal candidate is a strategic relationship builder with strong communication skills, experience in fundraising or business development, and a demonstrated ability to secure and steward corporate and foundation support.

Duties And Responsibilities

Corporate Fundraising & Sponsorships

Develop and implement a corporate fundraising strategy to increase revenue and long-term partnerships.

Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate donors and sponsors.

Secure sponsorship support of at least $250,000 for events, programs, exhibitions, educational initiatives, and special projects.

• Year 1: Focuses heavily on portfolio assessment and building the pipeline. Expect to raise roughly $250,000 .
• Years 2–3: Relationships and sponsorships mature. Officers in this stage should be closing $750,000 to $1.2 million in corporate and foundation support.
• Build and maintain a pipeline of prospective corporate partners.
• Prepare sponsorship proposals, presentations, and customized partnership packages.
• Manage renewal strategies to retain and upgrade current sponsors.
  
  

Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for corporate partners.
• Coordinate meetings, tours, and engagement opportunities for corporate prospects and sponsors.
• Develop meaningful stewardship plans, including recognition, reporting, and impact updates.
• Maintain accurate records of donor activity, proposals, and sponsorship commitments in the CRM database.
  
  

Collaboration & Strategy

• Work closely with leadership, communications, events, and program staff to align partnership opportunities with organizational goals.
• Collaborate on marketing and visibility benefits for sponsors.
• Support fundraising campaigns and institutional advancement initiatives as needed.
• Represent the organization at networking events, community meetings, and corporate functions.
• Spearhead employee giving, corporate volunteer groups, or in-kind support as part of the role for future flexibility.
• Ensure seamless coordination across departments by facilitating timely communication, resolving operational issues, and supporting successful execution of logistics and events with minimal escalation.
  
  

Administration & Reporting

• Track fundraising activity and revenue goals.
• Prepare regular progress reports and pipeline updates.
• Assist with sponsorship fulfillment and benefit execution.
• Ensure timely stewardship reporting.
  
  

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 5-7 years of experience in fundraising, corporate partnerships, sponsorship sales, nonprofit advancement, or business development.
• Proven ability to build relationships and secure financial support.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and follow-through.
• Experience with donor databases/CRM systems preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Passion for mission-driven work and community engagement.
  
  

Preferred Skills

• Experience working in nonprofit, cultural, environmental, educational, or arts organizations.
• Event sponsorship and partnership development experience.
• Comfort with donor cultivation and face-to-face solicitation.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for events and donor activities.
• Strong knowledge of the Boston-area corporate, grantmaking, and foundation landscape, with a proven track record of securing philanthropic support and sponsorship funding.
  
  

Performance Expectations

• Meet annual corporate fundraising and sponsorship revenue goals.
• Maintain an active portfolio of corporate prospects and partners.
• Conduct regular cultivation and solicitation meetings.
• Deliver high-quality stewardship and sponsor engagement experiences.
• Contribute positively to team fundraising and organizational culture.
  
  

Physical Demands

Occasionally moves about areas of the Cemetery, including the grounds, Administration Building, Chapels, Greenhouse and Operations Center, to meet with staff, and arrange meetings.

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Mount Auburn Cemetery is an equal-opportunity employer. It does not discriminate in employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, national origin, age, pregnancy, citizenship status, physical or mental ability, military status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.