Director, Sponsorship

If you are interested in joining a dynamic and growing non-profit organization, Retail Council of Canada (RCC) is for you. We are an energetic and progressive trade association that's moving fast and looking forward. Our commitment to our members and high-quality customer service are our top priorities. For more than 50 years, RCC has been the Voice of Retail, marked by leadership in exceptional member benefit programs, government lobbying, public affairs, education and training, and thought leadership.

RCC is looking for a Director, Sponsorship based in Toronto (GTA) reporting to the Vice President, Partnerships and Education.

About the Role

We are seeking a strategic and results-driven Director, Sponsorship to lead our national sponsorship and partnership portfolio. This role is responsible for driving sponsorship revenue, building long-term partner relationships, and delivering high-impact sponsorship programs across our events, education offerings, and member initiatives.

The Director, Sponsorship oversees the full sponsorship lifecycle from pipeline development and sales strategy through contract negotiation, fulfillment, reporting, and renewal. This role also works closely with internal teams to ensure sponsorship offerings align with organizational priorities and deliver strong value to partners.

This posting is for an existing role that is currently vacant.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Sponsorship Strategy & Revenue Growth

• Develop and execute annual sponsorship strategies to achieve and exceed revenue targets
• Identify new sponsorship opportunities, untapped markets, and strategic partner prospects
• Design competitive sponsorship packages, pricing models, and value propositions
• Lead proposal development, negotiations, and execution of multi-year sponsorship agreements
• Create compelling sponsorship presentations and sales materials

Sales Execution & Partnership Management

• Manage the full sales cycle including prospecting, outreach, presentations, contracting, and renewals
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with sponsors and industry partners
• Identify cross-selling and upselling opportunities across events, programs, and initiatives
• Deliver post-sponsorship reporting to demonstrate ROI and support renewals
• Secure in-kind and media partnerships that extend reach or reduce costs

Sponsorship Fulfillment & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Oversee fulfillment of sponsorship commitments across all programs and events
• Partner closely with Events, Education, Marketing, Membership, and Finance teams to ensure seamless execution
• Ensure sponsor recognition and branding are delivered consistently across channels
• Align sponsorship opportunities with event programming, education content, and member engagement initiatives

Financial Oversight & Reporting

• Develop and manage sponsorship budgets, forecasts, KPIs, and business plans
• Collaborate with Finance on invoicing, receivables, and revenue tracking
• Prepare sponsorship performance reports for senior leadership and the Board

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide leadership, coaching, and performance management to the Sponsorship team
• Set priorities, manage workloads, and support professional development
• Foster a relationship-driven, accountable, and service-oriented team culture

WHAT YOU BRING

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Commerce, Marketing, Sales, or a related field
• 7–10 years of progressive experience in sponsorship, sales, or business development
• Proven success in revenue generation and closing complex, multi-year deals
• Fluency in both English and French (spoken and written) is required
• Strong understanding of sponsorship strategy, market trends, and partner expectations
• Experience in associations, events, or membership-driven organizations is an asset
• Proficiency with CRM systems and sales pipeline management
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting and forecasting
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills
• Graphic design experience is an asset

Interested applicants are invited to submit their resume and cover letter.

DEADLINE: Friday, February 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST

We thank you for your interest in this job opportunity, however only candidates under consideration will be contacted. No phone calls please.

For information about RCC, visit our website at

Retail Council of Canada is an equal opportunity employer. It is the company's policy to recruit and select applicants for employment solely on the basis of their qualifications, with emphasis on selecting the best-qualified person for the job. Retail Council of Canada does not discriminate against applicants based on race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, or disability, or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, provincial or municipal law. Retail Council of Canada is committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment practices. If you require an accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know in advance and we will work with you to meet your needs.