Manager, Sponsorship

**About Us**:
We are Edmonton’s Destination Management and Marketing Organization (DMMO). We also manage two of Edmonton’s award-winning venues, the Edmonton Convention Centre and the Edmonton EXPO Centre. We help tell Edmonton’s story, elevate the Edmonton experience, and drive inbound visitation and economic impact in the visitor economy.

Working together in a one-team approach aligned by our core values, Explore Edmonton’s business units’ market and sell Edmonton as a year-round destination to visit, work, and play in while also developing products and experiences that have a uniquely Edmonton flavour. And by incorporating the management of the city’s two award-winning venues into Explore Edmonton, we are uniquely positioned to attract major events, meetings, and conventions to our city, generating greater economic impact. While Explore Edmonton’s mandate is focused on generating inbound visitation, what we do and how we do it also enhances and amplifies the quality of life for Edmontonians. The people who live here are our greatest ambassadors, so making it easier for them to love our city makes it easier for us to sell it.

**About Community Initiatives & Agriculture**:
The Community Initiatives and Agriculture team is the arm of Explore Edmonton Corporation that stewards legacy events like K-Days and Farmfair International. We are also a team of urban agriculture experts and enthusiasts that continue to make an impact with projects and programs geared to agriculture education, community partnerships, and sustainability.

There is no better example of our work in the community to connect people to food and farming within the city limits than at the Explore Edmonton Urban Farm, and no better way to show our commitment to the quality of life of Edmontonians than through the events that our team of Community Volunteers support not just for Explore Edmonton, but for our attraction’s partners all around Edmonton, every year.

And, for good measure, we always throw in a healthy dose of entertainment like the new Edmonton Pro Rodeo, the last stop on the road to the Canadian Finals Rodeo.

**About the Position**:
The Community Initiatives and Agriculture is looking for a Manager, Sponsorship to join their team.

Reporting to the Director, Farmfair International and Sponsorship, this position is responsible for the strategic relationship management of a diverse set of corporate partners at various levels of investment. Responsibilities include creating and managing the corporate partnership strategy with the goal of growing partner support and generating incremental revenue. This role will have primary accountability to drive increased sponsorship revenue for Explore Edmonton’s signature events (Farmfair International, K Days, Edmonton Pro Rodeo) and leveraging the key opportunities for sponsorship at the Edmonton Convention Centre and Edmonton Expo Centre including pouring contracts.

Additionally, this role is responsible for developing creative and compelling prospect materials, creating strategic sales strategies, prospecting, and stewarding relationships which includes fulfilment. The Sponsorship Manager will be expected to guide the development and promotions of advertising programs with corporate clients. The Fulfilment Coordinator reports to this position.
- As part of the CIA portfolio, lead Farmfair International’s corporate partnership and sponsorship process, lead K-Days corporate partnership and sponsorship process and secure and steward venue partnerships as appropriate
- Research, identify and prioritize prospective sponsors who align with Explore Edmonton's vision and who can help to achieve our strategic priorities and results.
- As required, secure corporate partner support for unique agricultural events and venues outside of Farmfair International (i.e. Various one-off rodeos, etc.)
- Retain and generate incremental revenue with existing partners, and secure new partners.
- Build strong and trusted partner relationships with clients through regular and pro-active contact.
- Negotiate and execute sponsorship agreements between Explore Edmonton and corporate partners.
- Work with the Community Initiatives and Agriculture (CIA) team, other internal departments, volunteer committees and the sponsor to ensure the maximization of all marketing elements within each partnership.
- Work with the marketing team to design professional sales proposals and presentations for potential corporate partners.
- Lead the event presentation and operations with internal staff as it relates to sponsored elements. This may include the coordination of venue programs, media properties, signage, special activities, hospitality and any other programs associated with the implementation of the corporate partner's support.
- Ensure robust wrap-up reports occur with corporate partners in a timely manner.
- Be an advocate for Explore Edmonton and for its corporate partners.
- Oversee the work of the Fulf