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Associate Director of Development, Sponsorships and Strategic Partnerships

amherst
Companyamherst
CategorySales
LocationFolger Campus
Remote
EmploymentNot stated
LevelDirector
SalaryNot stated by the employer
Posted23 Jul 2026
Last verified10 Aug 2026
SourceEmployer ATS (workday)
Applications are handled by the employer, not by us.Apply on the employer's site →
Description
T he Folger Shakespeare Library knows that an exceptional staff is the backbone of any great organization. We hire exceptionally qualified individuals who are committed to the mission, vision, and values of our organization. Our recruitment process strives to be interactive, accessible, and responsive. Once employed, the Folger provides a generous compensation, leave, and benefits package, as well as many opportunities for personal and professional growth. Job Description: The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC is seeking an experienced development professional to join our team as the   Associate Director of Development , Sponsorship and S trategic Partnerships .     R eporting to the Chief Development Officer,   this role   will build   and   manag e   meaningful, integrated   f unding   relationships   for   the Folger .    The   Associate Dire ctor   will   identify , cultivate,   solicit , and ste ward corporate ,   business , and community   relationships,   design and develop custom   sponsorship   p ackages and work with key departments across the Folger   to advance these partnerships . The ideal candidate is a strategic leader with the ability to envision, implement, and steward a thoughtful approach to prospect development and process improvement to support the growth of the Development team at the Folger. They bring a proven record as an experienced fundraising specialist, particularly in building sponsorship programs and corporate partnerships. This individual is an initiative-taker with superior written and oral communication skills, strong problem-solving   abilities,   and a passion for philanthropy. As   part of the Development department’s senior team , the AD will   support   other leaders   in   fostering a culture of philanthropy , ensuring   that fund development is executed in keeping with the values, mission, and strategic direction   of the Folger Shakespeare Library . They will   work   with the Chief Development Officer to   establish   a balanced mix of donor sources and fundraising programs to attract and   retain   donors and fundraising volunteers. The standard schedule for this role is Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm, which is a 35-hour workweek. Frequent evening and weekend hours will be   required   for special programs. This position is   eligible for   hybrid   work   with   a current schedule requiring a minimum of   3 days on-site per week.   The on-site schedule will be coordinated with the CDO .    The selected candidate will need to be within a commutable distance to the D.C. office (DC, MD, VA) by their start date. Health & Safety: The health and well-being of all staff, contractors, and visitors is our top priority. While the Folger no longer   requires   masks or vaccinations (except for AEA spaces), we support and encourage individuals to take the safety precautions they are most comfortable with, and we ask that individual choices are respected. Folger offers organization-funded healthcare plans for full-time staff and extensive leave options to all staff in case of any health issues that arise. Submission Deadline: Please submit your resume and cover letter by 5:00PM ET August 14th. Compensation: • This is a bi monthly-paid   salary position, with an annual rate of $100,000-110,000. • Total compensation includes an extensive benefits plan, including a generous 403(b) contribution and match, outlined at   https://www.folger.edu/employee-benefits. Summary of Duties: This role   will develop ,   implement,   and   manage   strategic partnership s   and   sponsorship-driven   fundraising to   maximize   income from   organizations   and   philanthropists to   meet   contributed revenue goals . This role   is responsible for   the   iden tification ,   cultivation, and   delivery of new   funding   and   revenue streams   generated from sponsors, corporate   pa rtners   and   members , and personal giving from corporate and business executives . Duties: Strategy and Pipeline Development • In partnership with the Chief Development Officer, d evelops, manages ,   and implements a   strategy which includes a multi-year plan for outreach ,   solicitation, stewardship, benefit fulfillment, and future engagement opportunities . • Builds and manages a   prospect   pipeline reflecting a diverse mix   of strategic   partnership types including individual   and institutional   sponsors and corporate partners . • Develops   sponsorship  proposals   and agreements for businesses, corporations, and corporate foundations   that reflect Folger priorities and maximize revenue potential. • Conducts discovery meetings and   maintains   regular outreach to qualify prospective strategic partnerships based on capacity, alignment, and readiness to engage with the Folger. Solicitation and Stewardship • Identifies ,   cultivates ,   solicits , and   stewards   corporate and individual prospects to secure sponsorship support for Folger events,   programs, initiatives , and ongoing operational priorities . • Manages multi-year corporate partnerships   and corporate memberships , including renewals, contract negotiation, stewardship planning, and   benefit   fulfillment. • Serves as the primary point of contact for corporate   members , sponsors, and strategic   partners;   convenes   regular check-ins and ensures contracted benefits are delivered consistently and on time. • Establishes and implements corporate and institution donor stewardship priorities including p roactive outreach to thank partners and promote renewals . Instit utional   Collaboration • Partners with the   marketing   and   communications   team to develop sponsorship materials that support new partner acquisition and the renewal of existing relationships. • Works with the membership team to identify potential sponsors within Folger's member network. • Develops and coordinates   engagement pathways that connect corporate and partnership prospects with Folger programs, communities ,   and   mission ,   including opportunities to interact with Folger scholars, fellows,   artists, volunteer leaders,   and staff. • Partners with the events and   marketing and communications   teams to align sponsorship opportunities with institutional priorities and to   leverage   the   Folger’s network   for prospect development. • Coordinates with development colleagues to transition relationships when a prospect is ready for a different engagement pathway. • Regularly communicates with   internal   departments   and stakeholders that intersect   and   would   benefit   from   partnership   engagement and sponsorship . • Ensures all activity   overseen   is documented and tracked, and that revenue is   accurately   recorded and counted toward fundraising totals in coordination with the AD of Development Operations. Development Events and Support • Supports fundraising for the Folger’s broader initiatives by   identifying   prospects, compiling lists, and drafting or editing supporting materials.   Institutional initiatives may include   the annual gala, the Director’s Residency, Shakespeare’s Birthday, Folger’s Theatre, Consort, and Poetry seasons, annual educational and humanities programming, and other   future campaigns . • Develops and   maintains   sponsorship opportunit y information   online ,   in collaboration   with the development team. • Works at major development events, including the annual Renaissance Circles dinner, Acquisitions Night, and theater and exhibition openings. Prepares relevant biographies, briefing materials, and correspondence for senior staff. Meets and greets donors and prospects and   facilitates   introductions with senior and program staff. • Help   manage renewals, benefits, special gift   opportunities,   and general business questions .    Performs other duties as assigned. Education and Experience: • Bachelor’s   degree   required ;   Advanced degree   or equivalent professional experience   preferred . • 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in development , preferably in a cultural, art s , academic or non-profit institution . • Demonstrated record of conceiving and implementing fundraising strategies   tied to sponsorship and partnership opportunities ;   e xperience   successfully   executing corporate strategy strongly desired. • Experience researching and tracking   mission-aligned institutions,   corporate   values and   giving priorities,   and developing strategies to increase funding. • Prior supervisory experience . Skills and Knowledge: • Excellent verbal and written   communications   skills . • E xcellent organizational and time management skills , with the ability   to manage multiple   priorit ies in a fast-paced ,   deadline-driven environment. • Ability to perform well both   independently and as part of a collaborative   development team . • S killed in   facilitating   face-to-face solicitation as well as writing persuasive appeals . • Ability   to effectively   engage   volunteer leadership and senior staff,   as   appropriate , in the cultivation and solicitation process . • Ability to motivate and nurture growth and foster independence and collaboration as a staff supervisor and mentor. • C ustomer service-oriented ,   with   the ability   to work with the public and relate effectively   to   a diverse donor population. • A   genuine p assion for and   commitment to   the Folger’s mission , the ability to convey it effectively,   and   a   willingness to continually learn about the   Folger’s   programs and mission. • Exceptional understanding of and adherence to ethical and legal requirements for confidentiality in handling sensitive information and situations. • Knowledge of Tessitura,   KindSight / iWave ,   Wordfly , and HTML is highly desirable. Working Conditions/Physical Requirements: This job   operates   in a professional office environment. The employee may be exposed to various components of an office environment such as fluorescent lighting, pollen, dust, recycled air, cooling   fans, semi-enclosed areas, central heating, seasonal warmer temperatures, and office noise. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. • The normal work week is Monday-Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Ability to work varying and   additional   hours as project demands arise (including evenings and weekends as necessary). • Ability to work at a computer for an extended period of time, with accuracy. • Willingness and capacity to work in an office environment at a workstation, and to come and go repeatedly throughout the day as is necessary, to perform various responsibilities. • Capacity to communicate, in person, or using video, phone, or electronic communication methods, in a manner which can be understood. Interested individuals should submit their cover letter and resume. Incomplete applications cannot be accepted. No phone calls please. The Folger is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To learn more about our benefits, please click here .