Senior Director of Development & Partnerships

Harris County–Houston Sports Authority; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Retirement contributions

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

The Harris County–Houston Sports Authority seeks a strategic, results-driven Senior Director of Development & Partnerships to lead revenue generation, corporate partnerships, philanthropic giving, and long-term stakeholder engagement for its major events portfolio and Sports Authority Foundation initiatives.

The ideal candidate will cultivate relationships with corporate executives, philanthropic leaders, and community partners, develop compelling investment opportunities, and create partnership

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in corporate partnerships, business development, sponsorship sales, fundraising, or related revenue-generating roles.
• Proven ability to secure high-value multi-year partnerships with senior decision-makers and donors.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive annual and multi-year revenue strategy across partnerships, major gifts, sponsorships and philanthropy.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and secure corporate partnerships and major gifts.
• Lead partnership negotiations and multi-year agreements to drive investment and engagement.
• Provide strategic direction for partner experiences, hospitality, and recognition.
• Maintain records of prospects, commitments, and relationship history; report on pipeline and outcomes.

Skills

Strategic relationship building

Revenue leadership

Executive engagement

Negotiation

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, Nonprofit Management, or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Prospect management tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Harris County–Houston Sports Authority is responsible for overseeing world-class sports venues and, as the joint city-county entity responsible for attracting major sporting events and leading the region’s sports marketing efforts, HCHSA has strengthened Houston’s reputation as a premier sports destination, generated billions in economic impact, and enhanced the quality of life for residents. HCHSA also leverages the power of sport to create meaningful community impact through its nonprofit arm, the Sports Authority Foundation, which provides sports-focused resources, events, and educational opportunities for the region’s youth and empowers the Houston–Harris County community through sports-related programs and initiatives.

Position Summary

The Harris County–Houston Sports Authority (HCHSA) is seeking a strategic, results-driven Senior Director of Development & Partnerships to lead revenue generation, corporate partnerships, philanthropic giving, and long-term stakeholder engagement for HCHSA’s portfolio of major sporting events, their associated community programming, and year-round Sports Authority Foundation initiatives. This position is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive revenue strategy that supports the organization's mission of creating lasting community impact through sport. The ideal candidate is an accomplished relationship builder and revenue leader who combines strong business development expertise with a passion for philanthropy and community engagement. This individual will cultivate meaningful relationships with corporate executives, philanthropic leaders, and community partners; develop compelling investment opportunities; and create exceptional partnership experiences that drive engagement, retention, and long-term growth.

Revenue Strategy & Development

• Develop and execute a comprehensive annual and multi-year revenue strategy encompassing corporate partnerships, major gifts, sponsorships, and philanthropic giving across HCHSA’s major events portfolio, event-related community programming, and year-round Foundation initiatives.
• Establish annual revenue goals, develop forecasts, and maintain accountability for achieving financial targets.
• Build and manage a robust prospect pipeline, identifying opportunities for new revenue, expanded partnerships, and long-term investment.
• Develop compelling funding opportunities that align organizational priorities with corporate objectives and philanthropic interests.
• Collaborate with executive leadership, marketing, events, and other departments to align revenue strategies with organizational initiatives.
• Monitor revenue performance, evaluate partnership effectiveness, and provide regular reporting on pipeline activity, financial results, and growth opportunities.

Corporate Partnerships & Philanthropic Development

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and secure corporate partnerships, sponsorships, and major philanthropic gifts that support organizational priorities and community initiatives.
• Develop customized partnership proposals, sponsorship packages, and giving opportunities that align corporate objectives and donor interests with the Foundation's mission.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with corporate executives, philanthropic leaders, and key decision-makers to drive new investment and long-term engagement.
• Lead partnership negotiations, funding requests, and the development of multi-year agreements and investment opportunities.
• Identify opportunities to grow existing relationships through expanded partnerships, additional contributions, and strategic engagement.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure partnership commitments are fulfilled and corporate and philanthropic supporters receive meaningful recognition and demonstrated impact.

Partnership Experience & Engagement Strategy

• Lead the strategic vision and development of premium partner experiences designed to strengthen relationships, demonstrate organizational value, and create opportunities for continued investment.
• Collaborate with the events and marketing teams to develop distinctive experiences that align with partner interests, organizational priorities, and brand positioning.
• Provide strategic direction for partner engagement, hospitality, recognition, and relationship-building opportunities associated with major events and Foundation initiatives.
• Ensure partner experiences are intentionally integrated into broader cultivation, stewardship, renewal, and revenue growth strategies.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of partner experiences and identify opportunities to strengthen engagement and long-term relationship value.

Relationship Management & Stewardship

• Serve as a primary relationship manager for the organization's highest-value corporate partners, sponsors, and philanthropic supporters.
• Develop and maintain individualized stewardship strategies that foster meaningful, year-round engagement.
• Establish consistent communication and engagement practices that strengthen partner satisfaction, retention, and long-term investment.
• Maintain accurate records of prospect activity, partner commitments, relationship history, and future opportunities.
• Represent the organization professionally at executive meetings, corporate engagements, community functions, and major events.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, Nonprofit Management, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience in corporate partnerships, business development, sponsorship sales, fundraising, or related revenue-generating roles.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing revenue strategies, managing significant revenue targets, and securing high-value corporate partnerships or philanthropic contributions.
• Proven ability to cultivate, negotiate, and close complex, multi-year agreements with senior corporate decision-makers and other key stakeholders.
• Experience in major gifts fundraising, donor cultivation, and philanthropic stewardship strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of sponsorship valuation, corporate partnership structures, brand alignment, activation strategy, and return on investment.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the confidence and professionalism to engage C-suite executives, philanthropic leaders, and influential community stakeholders.
• Strong financial acumen, including revenue forecasting, pipeline management, budget awareness, and performance reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to translate organizational missions and community initiatives into compelling corporate and philanthropic investment opportunities.
• Highly organized and self-motivated, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain strong attention to detail, and consistently deliver results.
• Strong relationship management skills, emotional intelligence, and a commitment to providing exceptional partner and donor experiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience with CRM systems, prospect management tools, or comparable relationship-tracking platforms.
• Experience in sports, major events, nonprofit development, or community-focused organizations is highly beneficial.

Work Environment & Expectations

• On-site presence required, with standard office hours and occasional evening or weekend responsibilities associated with partner engagements, fundraising activities, and major events.
• Regular participation in external meetings, networking opportunities, corporate engagements, and community events.
• High-energy, mission-driven environment focused on collaboration, relationship building, revenue growth, and community impact.
• Position requires a proactive, entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to independently develop opportunities while working collaboratively across departments.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and retirement contributions, along with paid time off and holidays.