Washington, D.C., Position Overview The Manager, Strategic Partnerships plays a key role in driving revenue growth and strengthening relationships with sponsors, strategic partners, and prospective members of the Public Affairs Council. Reporting to the Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, this position supports business development initiatives by identifying and cultivating prospective partners, advancing sponsorship opportunities, coordinating proposals, and supporting the renewal and expansion of existing relationships. The Manager also oversees day-to-day execution of partnership commitments, working across Council teams to ensure timely delivery, strong partner engagement, and measurable results. The ideal candidate is a proactive, results-oriented relationship builder with business development experience, exceptional project management skills, and the ability to turn opportunities into successful partnerships. Key Responsibilities Partnership Development and Revenue Growth

Identify, research, qualify, and cultivate prospective sponsors and strategic partners aligned with the Council’s mission and revenue priorities.

Develop and execute outreach strategies that generate new opportunities and expand existing relationships.

Support sponsorship proposals, presentations, agreements, and negotiations to secure new business.

Identify revenue opportunities through annual strategic partnerships, event sponsorships, and other Council initiatives.

Build long-term sponsor relationships through proactive stewardship, renewal planning, and opportunities for expanded engagement.

Pipeline Management and Business Development

Maintain an accurate pipeline of prospective sponsors and partners, including outreach activity, opportunity stages, projected revenue, and next steps.

Proactively manage prospect follow-up to advance opportunities and support timely conversion.

Prepare regular pipeline updates, revenue forecasts, and progress reports for the Vice President, Strategic Partnerships.

Track performance against agreed goals and recommend improvements to business development processes.

Collaborate with Member Success to identify and refer qualified membership prospects and coordinate outreach as appropriate.

Partnership Management and Stewardship

Serve as a primary day-to-day contact for sponsors and partners, providing responsive communication and relationship management.

Coordinate partner onboarding, benefit fulfillment, recognition, and renewal timelines.

Develop and maintain project plans for partner deliverables and ensure commitments are fulfilled accurately and on schedule.

Coordinate partner participation in events, programming, communications, and other initiatives with relevant Council teams.

Gather partner feedback and identify ways to strengthen engagement and demonstrate value.

Preferred Affiliate Program

Support the development and implementation of the Council’s Preferred Affiliate Program, a network of mission-aligned organizations offering products and services that support member success.

Assist with evaluation, onboarding, and coordination of affiliate partners, including monitoring performance and gathering member feedback.

Work with Communications & Marketing and Member Success to ensure affiliate relationships enhance member value.

Collaboration and Integration

Integrate sponsorship and partnership opportunities across Council programs, conferences, and executive convenings.

Collaborate with Communications & Marketing, Events, Member Success, and Finance to align outreach, tracking, fulfillment, and reporting.

Ensure partnership activities enhance the member experience and reflect the Council’s nonpartisan mission and standards. Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, communications, or a related field.

5+ years of experience in business development, sponsorship sales, strategic partnerships, or related relationship management roles.

Demonstrated success developing business opportunities, cultivating prospects, and securing or expanding revenue-generating partnerships.

Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines, stakeholders, and deliverables.

Experience with CRM systems or similar tools for prospect management, tracking, and reporting.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including proposal development and external representation.

Ability to work independently, take initiative, and collaborate effectively across teams.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in associations, nonprofits, or professional networks.

Familiarity with public affairs, corporate communications, or government relations.

Experience integrating partnerships into events and programs.

Professional certifications in partnership or sponsorship management.

Core Competencies

Business Development and Results Orientation: Identifies opportunities, advances prospects, and contributes to measurable revenue growth.

Collaborative Partnership Building: Develops authentic relationships rooted in shared purpose and mutual benefit.

Project Management and Accountability: Owns deliverables, anticipates obstacles, coordinates stakeholders, and follows through on time.

Member Orientation: Prioritizes tangible value for members, prospective members, and partners.

Strategic Program Design: Contributes to mission-aligned sponsorships and affiliate programs.

Communication Excellence: Articulates the Council’s value clearly and represents its mission professionally.

Integrity and Innovation: Upholds ethical standards while identifying creative partnership opportunities.

Position Attributes

Mission-Driven: Committed to advancing the public affairs profession.

Relationship-Oriented: Builds trust with members, sponsors, and partners.

Strategic and Collaborative: Works across teams to deliver shared results.

Detail-Oriented and Proactive: Manages priorities accurately, with initiative and strong follow-through.

Ethical and Forward-Thinking: Upholds transparency and continuously seeks better approaches.