Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships & External Events

Posting Details

Position Information

Position Title Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships & External Events Department Government Corporate Community - 116 Position Summary

The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world's preeminent scientific and cultural institutions, and has as its mission to discover, interpret, and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe through a wide-ranging program of scientific research, education, and exhibition.

AMNH is seeking an entrepreneurial and relationship-driven Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships & External Events to lead and grow the Museum's corporate philanthropy and external events portfolios.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Government & Corporate Relations and Community Engagement, the Senior Director will lead a team of five focused on corporate partnerships and external events. Together these programs generate more than $11M annually, with over $4M raised through corporate memberships and sponsorships and $7-8M through external events. The Senior Director will oversee the largest corporate membership program in Museum history, with 85 member companies contributing between $5K and $50K annually, and will be charged with growing that base significantly.

This leader will bring fresh thinking to how corporate partnerships support the Museum's multi-million-dollar Advancement goal and its broader strategic plan. This is an ideal opportunity for a trusted corporate connector who believes deeply in AMNH's mission and is ready to build lasting partnerships on behalf of one of the world's most beloved cultural institutions.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Strategic Vision

• Develop and execute an annual revenue strategy for corporate fundraising and external events in partnership with the Director of External Events, meeting or exceeding a combined goal of $11M+.
• Partner with the Senior Vice President, Government & Corporate Relations and Community Engagement, the Chief Advancement Officer, and leaders across Advancement, Finance, and Communications to translate institutional priorities into high-value corporate opportunities.
• Represent the department on cross-functional Museum committees, including Technology Implementation and Revenue Generation, to align corporate fundraising with the Museum's long-term strategic plan.
• Lead corporate strategy for major technology initiatives tied to the strategic plan, including collection digitization (1M+ objects) along with mobile app and digital wayfinding enhancements.
• Serve as the corporate representative on the Museum's reputational risk working group, developing due diligence and oversight policies in collaboration with the Office of the General Counsel and Advancement colleagues.

Corporate Fundraising & Business Development

• Oversee the Museum's corporate membership program and manage a high-level portfolio of global sponsors, partners, and event clients.
• Grow the corporate member base significantly by establishing an industry coverage structure that builds on the Museum's strength in finance and insurance, while expanding into new sectors such as real estate, technology and law.
• Secure exhibition and program sponsorships and develop co-hosted collaborations that raise the Museum's public profile and advance its educational mission.
• Identify and launch new revenue streams beyond traditional sponsorship, such as turnkey event pilots and bookable tours, along with licensing partnerships built into corporate sponsorships.
• Draft, structure, and negotiate complex sponsorship and partnership agreements in close partnership with the Office of the General Counsel.
• Cultivate and steward six- and seven-figure corporate gifts in support of major capital campaigns and other fundraising priorities as they emerge.

External Events

• Lead sales strategy for an external events program generating $7-8M annually.
• Position the Museum's iconic spaces, including the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation and the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, as premier New York City venues tied to corporate membership levels.
• Collaborate with the division that operationalizes events, as well as Operations, Security, Legal, Exhibition, and capital projects colleagues, to streamline the external events process and deliver seamless client experiences.

Board Relations & Executive Stewardship

• Build a structured pipeline from corporate partners to the Museum's Board of Trustees.
• Work with Museum leadership to develop and implement strategies that maximize revenue from Trustees' corporate affiliations.
• Design and execute high-touch cultivation experiences, from exhibition openings to special dinners with the President and annual benefit events, that engage C-suite executives and major donor prospects with corporate affiliations.

Team Leadership & Management

• Lead and mentor a team of five direct reports focused on strategic partnerships and external events, setting clear KPIs that drive performance.
• Manage the Corporate Partnerships and External Events budgets, including revenue forecasting and projections.
• Champion professional growth opportunities for direct reports while sustaining the department's close-knit, collaborative culture.

The expected salary range for the Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships & External Events is $165,000/annual - $190,000/annual. The AMNH offers an extensive benefits package designed to meet the needs of our dedicated and diverse community.

Pay will be determined based on several factors. The hiring range for the position at commencement is based on the type of work and the scope of responsibilities. The salary and placement offered is based on a number of individualized factors, including, but not limited to, skills, knowledge, training, education, credentials, areas of specialization and depth and scope of experience.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field and ten years of development experience, including five years of successful solicitation and stewardship of five-and six-figure corporate grants.
• Demonstrated success managing a fundraising program with measurable revenue growth, including setting ambitious goals and managing budgets to meet them.
• Supervisory experience and demonstrated dedication to building an inclusive and collaborative team that delivers results.
• Deep understanding of the New York City corporate philanthropy landscape and an extensive network of relationships with companies across industries.
• Experience drafting, structuring, and negotiating complex sponsorship and partnership agreements.
• Exceptional presentation and sales skills, with the ability to engage C-suite executives and Trustees while building trust and inspiring confidence.
• Advanced writing and editorial skills.

Preferred Qualifications Physical Demands

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for prolonged periods.
• Must be able to move about the Museum campus.

Category Full-Time Total Number of Scheduled Hours Per Pay Period 70 Union Status Non-Union FLSA Exempt Expected Salary Minimum $165,000/annual Expected Salary Maximum $190,000/annual EEO Statement

The American Museum of Natural History is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate with respect to employment, or admission or access to Museum facilities, programs or activities on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, marital status, partnership status, gender (including sexual harassment), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, pregnancy and lactation accommodations, alienage or citizenship status, current or former participation in the uniformed services, status as a veteran, caregiver, pre-employment marijuana testing, sexual and reproductive health decisions, salary history, national or ethnic origin, height, weight, or on account of any other basis prohibited by applicable City, State, or Federal law. Additional protections are afforded in employment based on arrest or conviction record, status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and sex offenses, unemployment status, and credit history, in each case to the extent provided by law.

Quick Link https://careers.amnh.org/postings/4900

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number GS1065P Open Date 10/19/2026 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants

Applications and nominations are being received by the Orr Group: https://grnh.se/i8kv9f743us. The hiring team will begin reviewing applications immediately. For inquiries, please contact Jessica Shatzel at jshatzel@orrgroup.com.

Supplemental Questions

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Documents Needed To Apply

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents