Corporate Relations and Sponsorship

Official City Classification:
Arts and Culture Resources Developer

Transform corporate philanthropic investments into arts, culture, and community impact.

Every exhibition, festival, and performance starts with people who believe in the work. The City of Mesa is looking for a fundraising professional who helps local businesses and corporations turn philanthropic investments into lasting partnerships with the Arts and Culture Department. In this role, you will further the missions of Mesa Arts Center, Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, idea Museum, and Arizona Museum of Natural History.

This role connects companies with the exhibitions, performances, festivals, educational programs, and special events that serve Mesa residents and visitors every day. You will learn what matters most to each partner, then design philanthropic opportunities that deliver visibility, employee engagement, and real community pride. You will also strengthen the relationships that already exist, so each partner feels valued from the first conversation through renewal.

Reporting to the Deputy Director for Development, you will lead corporate prospect identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. and development, sponsorship conversations, and partner stewardship. You will work closely with institutional teams and affiliated nonprofit foundations to make every partnership succeed.

• Build corporate support. You will identify, research, and cultivate corporate prospects, then invite them into financial and in-kind partnerships that advance departmental priorities and meet fundraising goals.
• Design sponsorship opportunities. You will create customized proposals that connect each company’s goals with cultural programming, audience engagement, and community impact.
• Steward partner relationships. You will guide each partnership from first outreach through agreements, benefit delivery, stewardship, and renewal.
• Deliver recognition that matters. You will coordinate with Development, Marketing, venue staff, and other City departments to recognize sponsors through events, websites, social media, publications, and signage.
• Show the impact. You will maintain accurate prospect and sponsorship records, monitor commitments, and report results so partners can see what their investment made possible.
• Collaborate with foundation partners. You will design and execute corporate fundraising with affiliated nonprofit foundations, following applicable City and foundation policies.
• Support broader development efforts. You will research funding opportunities and assist with grant development and other initiatives as assigned.

Bring your relationship skills, persuasive communication, and fundraising experience to a department that offers a wide range of arts, cultural, and educational experiences. Your work will help businesses invest in Mesa’s cultural and community priorities and build corporate support that lasts for years to come. If you believe business and culture belong together, we’d love to hear from you.