Now Hiring - Tampa Bay Times - Sponsorship & Business Development Leader in Saint Petersburg, FL

Full description of the position

Primary Job Summary: The Sponsorship & Business Development Leader is a senior-level role responsible for driving revenue and cultivating strategic partnerships across the Tampa Bay Times' events, philanthropic, marketing and product initiatives. This role combines high-level relationship building, strategic marketing and sponsorship development to grow organizational impact and financial sustainability. We seek a locally based leader with a powerful, well- established network, particularly among marketing, communications and external affairs stakeholders, to accelerate partnership growth. The Sponsorship & Business Development Officer will develop and execute a multichannel sponsorship strategy, cultivate C-suite partnerships, set revenue goals and provide strategic oversight of event and marketing initiatives. This position supervises the Event Production & Marketing Manager and works collaboratively with cross-departmental teams. Key Responsibilities: *Sponsorship Strategy & Revenue Generation * Develop and lead a comprehensive sponsorship strategy across events, custom content, philanthropy programs and organizational products. * Identify, cultivate and secure revenue-generating partnerships with corporations, foundations and high-value stakeholders. * Set annual sponsorship and event revenue goals, ensuring all teams are aligned to achieve them. * Create compelling sponsorship packages and value propositions tailored to diverse audiences and platforms. * Work closely with creative services to develop high-impact sponsorship proposals, pitch decks and presentation materials that effectively communicate value and align with brand standards. * Negotiate and close sponsorship agreements, often with C-suite and executive-level leaders. Business Development * Build and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective sponsors and strategic partners. * Lead high-level prospecting, relationship management and long-term partnership development. * Collaborate with internal teams to identify cross-departmental opportunities for sponsorship integration. * Represent the organization externally at industry events, meetings and speaking opportunities. Cross-Departmental Collaboration * Work closely with events, philanthropy, editorial/news and marketing teams to align sponsorship deliverables and organizational priorities. * Ensure sponsorship activations are fully integrated across content, events and philanthropic initiatives. * Provide strategic input on new revenue opportunities across media, programs and digital platforms. *Event & Marketing Oversight * Approve major event concepts, marketing plans and sponsorship fulfillment strategies. * Provide guidance to ensure sponsor expectations and brand standards are delivered seamlessly. * Supervise the Event Production & Marketing Manager, overseeing planning, workflow, performance and cross-team alignment. *Strategic Leadership & Analysis * Monitor market trends, competitor offerings and emerging opportunities within media, philanthropy and events industries. * Prepare regular revenue reports, forecasting and strategic recommendations for senior leadership. * Ensure all sponsorship initiatives reflect the organization's mission, values and strategic priorities. Qualifications * Bachelor's degree in marketing, business, communications or related field (master's preferred). * 7+ years of experience in sponsorship sales, strategic partnerships, business development or related fields. * Proven success by closing high-value partnerships with C-suite executives. * Strong strategic marketing background with expertise in brand positioning and audience engagement. * Exceptional communication, negotiation and presentation skills. * Experience working across events, media/news platforms and/or philanthropy is highly desirable. * Leadership experience managing staff and cross-functional teams. * Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. * This hybrid position requires regular on-site presence for events. Benefits for Full-Time Eligible Employees * Health coverage for you and your family through medical, dental and vision plans. * 100% employer-paid short-term and long-term disability. * 100% employer-paid basic life insurance. * Supplemental life insurance. * Tax advantages through flexible spending accounts that allow you to pay for specific health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars. * Tax-deferred savings plan for retirement. * A generous PTO program and much more. INDTBT