Director of Corporate Relations

What Is Start Proud

Start Proud aims to connect LGBTQ+ students with employers, while promoting the development of LGBTQ+ professionals, and celebrating the achievements and service of those in the community.

We facilitate the professional development of LGBTQ+ students as they transition from school to career in order to build a national network within the community. Our vision is to empower members of the LGBTQ+ community to be Canada’s leaders of tomorrow, where all institutions embrace inclusiveness within the workplace and diversity within the workforce.

About the Role:

The Director of Corporate Relations reports directly to the Vice President of Initiatives and leads the corporate sponsorship and partnership efforts across Start Proud’s initiatives. In this role, you will manage a focused team responsible for corporate outreach and sponsorship engagement. Your team will support key initiatives, including Out On Bay Street (OOBS), Leaders to be Proud Of, the Mentorship Program, Workshops, and Industry Nights.

You will oversee the coordination between your team and initiative leads, ensuring that corporate sponsors are integrated into these programs and that sponsorship benefits are fulfilled. Additionally, you will explore new corporate partnerships to help grow Start Proud’s network and funding.

In this role you will:

• Manage Corporate Partnerships: Oversee relationships with existing corporate partners, ensuring satisfaction and ongoing engagement. Serve as the primary point of contact for all sponsorship-related matters.
• Develop Sponsorship Opportunities: Identify, develop, and pitch new sponsorship opportunities to potential partners, tailoring offerings to align with both Start Proud’s mission and corporate sponsors’ goals.
• Support Event Sponsorships: Collaborate with the initiatives teams to secure sponsorships for major events such as Out On Bay Street (OOBS), Leaders to be Proud Of, Workshops, and Industry Nights. Ensure that corporate sponsors receive the visibility and engagement they seek during these events.
• Maintain Sponsor Agreements and Fulfillment: Ensure that all sponsor agreements are met and that sponsors receive the promised benefits, including branding, speaking opportunities, and event participation. Oversee the fulfillment of sponsorship packages.
• Explore New Corporate Relations: Proactively identify and build relationships with new corporate sponsors who align with Start Proud’s values and goals. Expand the organization’s corporate network.
• Provide Partner Engagement Reports: Regularly track and report on corporate sponsorship engagements, highlighting outcomes and areas for improvement. Provide insights and recommendations to improve partner relations.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Corporate Relations Experience: Proven experience managing corporate partnerships, sponsorships, or client relationships. Experience within a nonprofit or event-driven organization is a plus.
• ‍Sales and Negotiation Skills: Strong ability to develop and present sponsorship opportunities and negotiate agreements that benefit both Start Proud and its corporate partners.
• ‍Communication and Relationship-Building: Excellent interpersonal skills to build and maintain long-lasting relationships with corporate partners.‍
• Event Sponsorship Experience: Familiarity with event-based sponsorships and an understanding of how to ensure value for both corporate sponsors and the organization.‍
• Organizational Skills: Ability to manage multiple partnerships and ensure that all sponsor agreements are fulfilled accurately and on time.

Commitment

• ~5-15 hours per month
• Mandatory attendance at team team meetings

Application Instructions:

Please submit your resume via the link above. We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Candidates from the LGBTQ+ community or are otherwise marginalized on the grounds of gender expression, gender identity and/or sexual orientation are strongly encouraged to apply. Lived experience as a member of any equity-deserving community is considered a strong asset.

We’re committed to providing accommodations throughout the application, interview, and employment process. If you require accommodation to be at your best, please let us know during the application process.

Why Start Proud?

• Springboard your professional development by gaining valuable experience as part of a national non-profit in a functional area you are looking to grow your skills in. We are here to develop you, even if you have little experience.
• Make an impact in our organization and the community we serve! We are growing and evolving quickly, so there are many opportunities to make a difference.
• Build your network with friendly and supportive LGBTQ+ students and professionals that are eager to support and mentor each other.

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