Senior Manager, Partnership Marketing

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Senior Manager, Partnership Marketing serves as the operational leader of the Partnership Marketing function and is responsible for managing the day-to-day execution of partnership marketing initiatives, proposal development, storytelling, reporting, and project workflows that support corporate partnership sales and renewals.

Working closely under the Associate Director, Partnership Marketing, this role is responsible for implementing departmental priorities, managing team workflows, and ensuring high-quality execution of partnership marketing materials and processes. The Senior Manager directly supervises the Partnership Marketing team members and serves as a key partner in translating strategic direction into actionable plans and deliverables.

This full-time position is based within a commutable distance to New York City, NY or Los Angeles, CA. The role requires flexibility, including extended hours, evenings, and weekends during peak periods, as well as travel to Institute locations, events, partnership engagement, and meetings as needed.

Top priorities include but are not limited to…

Partnership Strategy & Pre-Sale Ideation

• Collaborating closely with the Associate Director, Partnership Marketing and Corporate Partnerships team to develop creative, integrated, and mission-aligned partnership programs that support departmental revenue goals.

• Translating client briefs and partnership objectives into customized integration concepts, sponsorship opportunities, and proposal recommendations that support new business acquisition and partner growth.

• Ensuring partnership concepts and marketing materials authentically reflect Sundance Institute’s mission, values, and commitment to supporting independent artists and storytelling.

• Supporting the Associate Director in identifying emerging partnership opportunities, trends, and sponsorship concepts that strengthen the Institute’s partnership portfolio.

Proposal Development & Sales Materials Management

• Leading the development and quality control of partnership marketing materials, including customized pitch presentations, sponsorship proposals, sell sheets, case studies, and wrap reports.

• Translating audience insights, program outcomes, historical performance data, and cultural trends into compelling narratives that communicate partner value and organizational impact.

• Overseeing the creation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of templates, storytelling resources, and proposal development processes.

• Ensuring all partnership materials meet Sundance Institute brand standards and reflect a consistent, high-quality visual and narrative presentation.

• Managing the development of post-activation reports and partnership recaps that demonstrate results, impact, and return on investment.

Cross-Functional Planning & Collaboration

• Supporting the Associate Director in coordinating cross-functional partnership planning efforts across Programming, Artist Programs, Festival Operations, Marketing & Communications, Digital, and other internal stakeholders.

• Facilitating collaboration and information gathering necessary to develop feasible, mission-aligned partnership opportunities and sponsorship proposals.

• Working across teams to secure stakeholder input, approvals, and alignment while maintaining project timelines and priorities.

• Identifying project risks, challenges, and resource needs and proactively recommend solutions.

Team Leadership & Project Management

• Directly supervising, coaching, and supporting the Partnership Marketing team through regular feedback, development planning, and performance management.

• Fostering a collaborative, equitable, and inclusive team culture that supports learning, accountability, innovation, and professional growth.

• Ensuring equitable distribution of workload, project opportunities, visibility, and development experiences within the team.

• Managing project priorities, timelines, workflows, and resource allocation across the function to support departmental goals.

• Overseeing Airtable, CRM, and project management processes to ensure accurate information, efficient workflows, and timely delivery of partnership materials

• Providing continuity and knowledge transfer as partnership opportunities move from proposal development into stewardship, activation, and execution phases.

Department Support & Organizational Partnership

• Supporting the broader Partnerships team during Festival operations, partner events, and key organizational initiatives as needed.

• Representing the Partnership Marketing function in internal planning meetings and cross-functional project discussions as assigned.

• Performing other duties and special projects as assigned by the Associate Director, Partnership Marketing in support of departmental priorities and organizational goals.

You have the following direct or transferable skill sets:

• 5 years of experience in partnership marketing, sponsorship marketing, media partnerships, brand partnerships, fundraising, or related fields.

• Demonstrated experience working within arts, culture, entertainment, media, or other mission-driven creative-sector organizations, either for-profit or nonprofit.

• Proven experience developing compelling brand storytelling, sponsorship proposals, presentations, and partnership marketing materials that support both new business acquisition and partner retention.

• Experience managing projects, workflows, and cross functional initiatives in a collaborative environment.

• Demonstrated people management experience, including coaching, mentoring, developing, and supporting employees to achieve individual and team goals.

• Ability to foster an inclusive, equitable, and collaborative team culture through transparent communication, accountability, and commitment to employee growth and development.

• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, presentation, project management, and organizational skills.

• Experience navigating complex stakeholder relationships and collaborating effectively across departments to achieve shared goals.

• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, accessibility, and fostering a culture of belonging internally and externally.

• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to balance strategic priorities with operational execution and competing deadlines.

• Legal authorization to work in the United States.

You will be successful in this role if you...

• Successfully translate strategic priorities established by the Associate Director into high-quality deliverables and team execution.

• Manage projects, timelines, and workflows efficiently and effectively.

• Develop and support team members through coaching, feedback, and equitable leadership practices.

• Ensure consistency, accuracy, and quality across partnership marketing materials.

• Build strong working relationships across departments that facilitate effective collaboration.

• Support partnership sales and renewal efforts through compelling storytelling and marketing materials.

In addition to an annual salary of $75,000.00 to $95,000.00*, this position** is eligible for our comprehensive benefits package, highlights include:

• Health, vision, and dental insurance

• 25 paid Institute holidays plus accrued vacation time

• Paid sick, family, and medical leave

• Employee Wellness initiatives

• 401(k) with automatic 3% employer contribution after one year of employment

• Sundance Film Festival passes and benefits (varies each year)

*Final rate of pay is determined based on the applicant's geographic location, relevant experience and skills, and internal equity among similar positions within our organization.

**Applications open 07/02/2026 and will be accepted for at least one week