Senior Director of Corporate and Institutional Relations

REPORTS TO: Chief Philanthropy Officer
SUPERVISES: Manager of Corporate Partnerships and Manager of Foundation Relations

POSITION SUMMARY: The Senior Director of Corporate and Institutional Relations provides leadership and execution of a comprehensive program to sustain and grow institutional investment and support for the SLSO. This individual will play a leading role in building and enhancing relationships that increase engagement and investment in the SLSO by corporations, foundations and public agencies. As a top leader of the SLSO Philanthropy team, the Senior Director of Corporate and Institutional Relations will work with staff colleagues, trustees and volunteers to drive corporate community investments and engagement with the SLSO mission and programs.

After a two-year renovation and expansion, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) has returned to Powell Hall at the Jack C. Taylor Music Center in September 2025, a pivotal time in the history of the institution upon completion of a $155 million campaign (closing at $174 million). The Senior Director will have an opportunity to create a lasting impact and continue to strengthen its future as the SLSO approaches its 150th anniversary in 2030.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as a senior member of the SLSO’s philanthropy team responsible for management and execution of revenue strategies to secure annual operating revenues exceeding $3,000,000 from institutional partners including corporations, foundations and public agencies.
• Provide oversight and execution of the Corporate Sponsorship ($25,000-$100,000+) and Corporate Partners ($2,500-$15,000) membership programs to increase corporate community engagement and drive sustainable contributed and earned revenue.
• Provide oversight and execution of a comprehensive program to grow unrestricted, and program related, contributed revenues from private and community foundations
• Provide oversight and execution of strategies to secure public sector investment in SLSO programs and economic impact through relationships with current and new public partners.
• Provide oversight, management and mentorship to the Manager of Corporate Partnerships and Manager of Foundation Relations. Provide direction and ongoing support to all SLSO sales teams to assure strategic coordination of member/sponsor, group sales, events and other related services.
• Provide leadership and support for stewardship events, strategies and plans.
• Provide leadership and support for corporate communications strategies and materials.
• Work with data operations/analytics colleagues to implement solicitation plans to target existing donors and actionable new prospects to meet and exceed revenue goals and increase the number of active institutional partner companies.
• Guide corporate sponsors and partners through a structured and intentional process of cultivation, solicitation and stewardship through employee and client engagement programs.
• Manage revenue and expense budget and track metrics and ROI.
• Develop a comprehensive corporate membership fulfillment program, including the creation, distribution, and tracking of member benefits, communications, and recognition materials to ensure timely and engaging experiences for all corporate members and their executives, employees and clients. Work collaboratively with events sales and marketing colleagues to deliver bespoke experiences for corporate members and sponsors.
• Serve as principal liaison with the Corporate Partnership Committee, grow and engage new members to support outreach and peer solicitation activities.
• Lead and support all aspects of corporate support for occasional galas and special event fundraising.
• Provide event and concert duty as needed and assigned.
• Assist other areas of the philanthropy team as needed.

REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of best practices in corporate and foundation philanthropy, and corporate sponsorship and events with experience managing a portfolio of corporate contributions, private foundations, sponsorships and memberships.  Proven experience managing a large-scale revenue program within a fast-paced, changing environment. Demonstrated success as a sales leader with an ability to recognize and realize revenue/engagement opportunities. Working knowledge of not-for-profit, database utilization, data mining and analytics. Familiarity with development and office-based software, social media and marketing resources.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of broad-based fundraising experience, including leadership in securing significant corporate and institutional funding support.   Experience with the implementation of an annual sales plan, an ability to work proactively with staff colleagues and supervisory experience are all important.  Face-to-face solicitation experience is essential.  Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, fundraising or related field.  Proficient with Microsoft Office products and experience with fundraising databases preferred.

Skills and Abilities: 

• Demonstrate excellent written, interpersonal and public speaking skills to communicate with internal and external contacts.
• Display the ability to work with, influence, solicit, and close gifts from donors and sponsors.
• Show flexibility and initiative, as well as the ability to achieve independent goals, combined with the skills for thriving in a team environment.
• Ability to analyze and segment data to effectively implement various annual giving appeals.
• Ability to motivate and manage volunteers to support the SLSO’s mission and achieve organizational goals.
• Strong ability to successfully manage multiple projects with close attention to detail and prioritization to meet deadlines.       
• High professional and ethical standards for handling confidential information.
• Available to work events that are held during the evenings or weekends as needed.