[Hiring] Partnership Engagement Manager, Conferences and Events @Foundation for California Community Colleges

Role Description

We are seeking a Partner Engagement Manager to join the Foundation in its mission of benefitting, supporting, and enhancing the California Community Colleges—the largest and most diverse system of higher education in the nation. The Conferences and Events team provides comprehensive event planning and logistical support for in-person, virtual, and hybrid events.

The Manager, Partnership Engagement will be part of a dynamic nonprofit team focused on increasing resources, strengthening partnerships, and elevating event experiences. This is a client management role at its core.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, including the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.
• Own and advance sponsor relationships from initial cultivation through long-term stewardship.
• Develop, manage, and execute sponsorships that support the goals of FoundationCCC and our client(s).
• Lead sponsor relationship development by identifying aligned opportunities and creating customized sponsorship packages.
• Oversee logistics and ensure all deliverables are fulfilled to maximize satisfaction and engagement.
• Recognize when sponsor relationships are ready to grow beyond events and facilitate introductions to appropriate FoundationCCC teams.
• Work cross-functionally with internal teams and external partners to drive event revenue and support strategic philanthropic partnerships.
• Design, write, and submit high-quality event sponsorship proposals.
• Manage the sponsorship pipeline, including prospective sponsors, active conversations, confirmed commitments, and renewals.
• Oversee the fulfillment of all sponsor deliverables at events, ensuring commitments are met.
• Lead the development, documentation, and continuous improvement of sponsorship processes, templates, timelines, and workflows.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three to five (3–5+) years of related client-facing experience in end-to-end event planning, sponsorship activation, conference services, and logistics.
• Minimum of two to three (2–3+) years of experience managing programs, projects, or stakeholder relationships with demonstrated success in cross-functional collaboration.
• Proficiency in using CRM systems to manage stakeholder and sponsor data; direct experience with Salesforce is highly preferred.
• Experience working within or supporting educational institutions or nonprofit organizations is strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of sponsorship value, audience engagement strategies, sponsor stewardship, and current trends in event sponsorship.
• Strong client management skills, including the ability to serve as a trusted point of contact and manage expectations.
• Proven skills in relationship management, negotiation, sales, client service, and sponsor communications.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation, generous PTO, holidays.
• Medical, dental, and vision plans, Flexible Spending Accounts, and Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and Wellness offerings.
• CalPERS retirement program and optional 403(b) and 457 Retirement plans.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness certified employer.