Business Development Associate

ArtsQuest; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

ArtsQuest in Bethlehem, PA is seeking a Business Development Associate to drive sponsorship revenue by expanding our existing book of business and cultivating new sponsor relationships. You will work in the Sponsorship Department to meet annual goals and support our sustainability model, prospecting leads and making cold calls to local businesses.

The role emphasizes building partnerships with local vendors, activating partnerships across ArtsQuest events such as Tacofest and Reggaefest, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business administration or related field.
• 2–5 years of similar work experience in sales and marketing, economic or community development, or fundraising in a non-profit environment or equivalent.
• Experience with sponsorships in events, festivals, sports and/or non-profit programs is a plus.
• Must be goal-oriented and driven to achieve and exceed results.
• Must thrive in a fast-paced work environment.
• Must have the ability to work independently and collaboratively, think on feet in fast paced environment and creatively problem solve.

Responsibilities

• Achieve or exceed budgeted revenue goals as set by Director of Corporate Partnerships.
• Work collaboratively with the Chief Operating Officer, Director of Corporate Partnerships and other Sponsorship team members to prospect new business and corporate partners; including making cold calls, arranging meetings with potential sponsors and actively promoting the mission of the organization.
• Maintain, grow and renew relationships with existing partners year-over-year, including vendors, sponsors, and third-party promoters.
• Learn about and develop creative sponsorship concepts and proposals by working collaboratively with all internal teams; this includes, but is not limited to Marketing, Hospitality, Performing Arts, Visual Arts & Education and Facilities and Festivals.
• Negotiate and manage in-kind / trade partnerships with local vendor partners.
• Work with Partnership Activation Specialist(s) and Coordinator(s) to ensure fulfillment of all contractual obligations for targeted corporate and business partners.
• Attendance of internal ArtsQuest meetings designed to create, improve and guide current, returning or new events.
• Maintaining and sustaining event participation/creation and growth of events such as Tacofest, Reggaefest, Countryfest, and two annual golf tournaments
• Working across departments to continue to raise awareness of ArtsQuest’s two new buildings, the Creative Factory (opening November 2026) and the Turn and Grind Shop (opening Summer 2027).
• Attendance at meetings hosted by local organizations such as the SouthSide Arts District and Chamber of Commerce as a representative of ArtsQuest when needed or appropriate to help grow/maintain relationship within these associations.
• Secure print and digital advertisers for ArtsQuest’s Artonomous Media products.
• Learn about, research, and work with the Sponsorship team to find, contract and retain mobile marketers – both nationally and locally – for ArtsQuest festivals and events that not only provide financial support, but also add unique elements that enrich the patron’s experience.
• Attendance at internal and external networking events to cultivate relationships and make new connections.
• Invite and host prospective partners at ArtsQuest Events.

Skills

Goal-oriented

Independent worker

Networking

Excellent communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business administration or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

Position Overview

The Business Development Associate works within the Sponsorship Department responsible for managing and growing an existing book of business while driving revenue by cultivating new sponsor relationships to exceed annual individual and team goals to support the ArtsQuest sustainability model. The Business Development Associate will inherit a book of business which will include small to mid-level local partners, vendors, and activations and will be required to prospect new leads and make cold calls to businesses to develop new partnerships. An existing personal client network in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas is a positive, but not mandatory.

Position Overview

The Business Development Associate works within the Sponsorship Department responsible for managing and growing an existing book of business while driving revenue by cultivating new sponsor relationships to exceed annual individual and team goals to support the ArtsQuest sustainability model. The Business Development Associate will inherit a book of business which will include small to mid-level local partners, vendors, and activations and will be required to prospect new leads and make cold calls to businesses to develop new partnerships. An existing personal client network in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas is a positive, but not mandatory.

Job Responsibilities

• Achieve or exceed budgeted revenue goals as set by Director of Corporate Partnerships.
• Work collaboratively with the Chief Operating Officer, Director of Corporate Partnerships and other Sponsorship team members to prospect new business and corporate partners; including making cold calls, arranging meetings with potential sponsors and actively promoting the mission of the organization.
• Maintain, grow and renew relationships with existing partners year-over-year, including vendors, sponsors, and third-party promoters.
• Learn about and develop creative sponsorship concepts and proposals by working collaboratively with all internal teams; this includes, but is not limited to Marketing, Hospitality, Performing Arts, Visual Arts & Education and Facilities and Festivals.
• Negotiate and manage in-kind / trade partnerships with local vendor partners.
• Work with Partnership Activation Specialist(s) and Coordinator(s) to ensure fulfillment of all contractual obligations for targeted corporate and business partners.
• Attendance of internal ArtsQuest meetings designed to create, improve and guide current, returning or new events.
• Maintaining and sustaining event participation/creation and growth of events such as Tacofest, Reggaefest, Countryfest, and two annual golf tournaments
• Working across departments to continue to raise awareness of ArtsQuest’s two new buildings, the Creative Factory (opening November 2026) and the Turn and Grind Shop (opening Summer 2027).
• Attendance at meetings hosted by local organizations such as the SouthSide Arts District and Chamber of Commerce as a representative of ArtsQuest when needed or appropriate to help grow/maintain relationship within these associations.
• Secure print and digital advertisers for ArtsQuest’s Artonomous Media products.
• Learn about, research, and work with the Sponsorship team to find, contract and retain mobile marketers – both nationally and locally – for ArtsQuest festivals and events that not only provide financial support, but also add unique elements that enrich the patron’s experience.
• Attendance at internal and external networking events to cultivate relationships and make new connections.
• Invite and host prospective partners at ArtsQuest Events.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business administration or related field.
• Minimum of 2 – 5 years of similar work experience in sales and marketing, economic or community development, or fundraising in a non-profit environment or equivalent.
• Previous experience or knowledge of sponsorship in events, festivals, sports and/or non-profit programs. Sports-minded individuals are encouraged to apply. Experience selling sponsorships, tickets and/or ticket packages in an entertainment or sports setting is a plus.
• Must be goal-oriented and driven to achieve and exceed results.
• Must thrive in a fast-paced work environment.
• Must have the ability to work independently and collaboratively, think on feet in fast paced environment and creatively problem solve.
• Experience or knowledge of the Lehigh Valley, its leading business corporations and its non-profit and government institutions and leaders; must enjoy networking.
• Ability to call upon prospective corporate partners, set a meeting, understand their needs, and offer partnership or sponsorship packages to meet those needs.
• Ability to assess sponsorship opportunities and develop creative sponsorship packages.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality with sensitive information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point.
• Have a valid driver’s license and a functioning personal vehicle required for travel to and from current and potential business partner locations as well as between our different office locations.

The Following Qualities Are Desirable, But Not Required

• Previous success in obtaining sponsorships, and in building and maintaining long-term relationships with advertisers and/or businesses.
• Experience working with Blackbaud Products, specifically Raiser’s Edge.
• Experience understanding and selling advertising packages.
• Experience selling sponsorships, tickets and/or ticket packages in a sports or entertainment setting.

Core Values

ArtsQuest demonstrates its Core Values of: Serve our Communities, Be Curious, Act Generously, Be Transparent and Find Joy in all aspects of our culture. It is our goal to maintain these values to consistently deliver exceptional experiences to our employees and our community.

ArtsQuest is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our employees are the most valuable assets we have. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities, and talent that our employees and volunteers invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture but our reputation and the organization’s achievement as well.

At ArtsQuest, a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace is one where all employees feel valued and respected whatever their age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and/or veteran status. We embrace and encourage our employees' characteristics that make them unique because we value and appreciate diverse life experiences.

Salary And Benefits

ArtsQuest strives to be competitive in its compensation practices. We seek to pay base salaries at the market average, while recognizing organizational, team, and individual success. Our base pay rates, salary structure and other compensation practices are created using industry recognized methods and data sources. We have a generous time off policy; benefits include medical, dental, vision, term life, accidental death and long‑term disability insurance, as well at a 403(b)-retirement savings plan and discretionary match, an EAP and discounts on organizational programs and events when available as well as partner PERK’s when offered.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt/In-Person

ArtsQuest is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer