Organizational Profile

Stern Grove Festival is the longest-running nonprofit free music festival in the country. Since 1938, this cherished summer tradition has brought Bay Area communities together for world-class performances in the stunning outdoor amphitheater of Sigmund Stern Grove, nestled on the city’s west side. Last year, the Festival welcomed over 110,000 attendees to its iconic concert series, which has featured legendary artists like Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, The Flaming Lips, Patti Smith, Bob Moses, Al Green, Herbie Hancock, and many more.

As a cultural cornerstone of the Bay Area, Stern Grove Festival remains committed to making music accessible to all while celebrating artistic excellence and community connection.

 

Position Description

The Corporate Partnerships Manager plays a key role in generating revenue to support Stern Grove Festival’s $8.6 million annual operating budget. Reporting to and working closely with the Director of Development, this position supports the growth of the Festival’s corporate sponsorship program through new business development, relationship management, and partner stewardship. The role manages an assigned portfolio of corporate partners while collaborating with the Director of Development on larger strategic partnerships, with opportunities to take on greater ownership over time. Responsibilities span the full partnership lifecycle, from prospecting and proposal development to activation, fulfillment, and renewal, ensuring partnerships deliver meaningful value to sponsors while advancing the Festival’s mission.

 

Corporate Partnership Development & Sales

• Identify, prospect, and cultivate new corporate sponsorship opportunities with local, regional, and national brands, businesses, and marketing agencies.
• Develop and present customized sponsorship proposals that align partner objectives with Stern Grove Festival's mission, programming, and audience.
• Manage prospects through the full sales pipeline, from initial outreach and relationship development through negotiation and contract execution.
• Collaborate with the Director of Development on high-value and strategic partnership opportunities, including prospect development, pitches, and negotiations.
• Manage an active prospect pipeline and take ownership of individual revenue goals, including securing new sponsorships and growing existing partnerships.
• Help develop sales materials, presentations, case studies, and other resources that communicate the value and impact of partnering with Stern Grove Festival.

Partner Relationship Management & Stewardship

• Manage an assigned portfolio of corporate sponsors, serving as the primary point of contact throughout the partnership lifecycle to ensure satisfaction, retention, and long-term engagement.
• Lead renewal conversations for assigned accounts, identifying opportunities to expand partnerships and increase annual support.
• Develop and implement partner stewardship plans, including regular communications, engagement opportunities, and post-season follow-up.
• Secure and manage in-kind sponsorships, including beverage partnerships that support the Festival's bar program, coordinating product commitments, delivery, fulfillment, and partner recognition with internal teams.

Sponsorship Activation & Fulfillment

• Manage sponsorship fulfillment in collaboration with internal teams, ensuring contractual benefits are delivered accurately and on time.
• Coordinate with Marketing, Operations, Community Engagement, and other internal teams to execute sponsor activations, hospitality experiences, brand visibility, and promotional opportunities.
• Serve as the primary liaison between corporate partners and internal teams to ensure clear communication and seamless execution.
• Support on-site sponsor activations and hospitality during the concert season.
• Track sponsorship deliverables and maintain accurate records of partner commitments, fulfillment, and associated expenses.
• Develop post-season recaps and impact reports highlighting partnership outcomes, audience engagement, and opportunities for future collaboration.

Reporting & Department Collaboration

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of corporate prospects, partner communications, agreements, and revenue in the organization's CRM and tracking systems.
• Monitor progress toward sponsorship revenue goals, providing regular pipeline updates, forecasts, and performance reports to the Director of Development.
• Track key performance indicators, including new business development, renewals, partnership growth, and fulfillment outcomes.
• Collaborate with the Development team on revenue planning, budgeting, and coordination of corporate contributions and benefits.
• Support the preparation of corporate partnership updates and materials for organizational leadership and the Board of Directors.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Development department and Festival operations.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in corporate partnerships, sponsorship sales, business development, fundraising, or a related field. Experience in live entertainment, arts and culture, experiential marketing, or nonprofit organizations is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to develop new business opportunities, cultivate relationships, and secure corporate partnerships or comparable revenue-generating agreements.
• Strong relationship management skills, with the ability to engage corporate partners, understand their objectives, and develop mutually beneficial opportunities.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with experience developing compelling proposals, pitch materials, and partnership presentations.
• Creative and strategic thinker with an ability to identify opportunities, develop innovative partnership concepts, and translate ideas into actionable plans.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with meticulous attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple partnerships, deadlines, and competing priorities.
• Experience managing sales pipelines, tracking revenue goals, and maintaining accurate records in CRM systems or similar platforms.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including corporate partners, board leadership, staff, and community members.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and familiarity with presentation and CRM tools.
• A proactive, self-motivated approach to business development, with the ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
• A commitment to Stern Grove Festival's mission of providing free, accessible live music and fostering a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and respect.

Physical Requirements

• Able to lift/carry 40lbs  
• Able to experience periods of extended standing, employees must be able to remain on their feet in a stationary position. 
• Able to walk and climb considerable distances including on the hillside during the course of a work day. 
• Grasp, lift, carry, push and pull heavy objects such as barricades, fencing, and carts. 
• Stooping, crouching and kneeling is needed to place signage throughout the Grove.  
• Listening and speaking ability is required. In a typical work day the employee will be interacting with large groups of people and they must have the ability to hear and clearly express their ideas with spoken words. 

We value a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives. If you meet many of the qualifications listed and are passionate about Stern Grove Festival’s mission, we encourage you to apply.

Locations - Hybrid Role

1. SGFA Office (approximately 50% of the time), Fort Mason: 2 Marina Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94123 
2. Sigmund Stern Grove, 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard, San Francisco
3. Work from Home: Video conferences as needed

Work Period and Hours

• This is a full time position 
• During the concert season (June 20 through August 22), the position works at the venue on Sundays, with an additional Saturday show on August 21, and takes other time off during the week (often Mondays).

Compensation

The compensation package includes a salary of $100,000 - $110,000, based on experience. The position also comes with an annual employer contribution to a 403(b) retirement plan, and a robust benefits package (health/vision/dental/life insurance premium fully covered).

EEO Statement

SGFA provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, SGFA complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, leaves of absence, compensation and training. SGFA expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. 

How to Apply:

https://www.sterngrove.org/jobs

Email:

If you have any questions, please email jobs@sterngrove.org