Strategic Partnerships Manager

AIA Oregon; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 69,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid/remote flexibility within OR

Evening event opportunities

Job summary

AIA Oregon is seeking a Strategic Relationship Manager to cultivate partnerships, sponsorships, visibility opportunities, and cross-sector engagement in Oregon. This part-time role focuses on trust-based relationship building and sponsorship stewardship for programs and events, with growth toward Foundation partnerships.

Initially, you’ll support sponsorships, prospectus updates, and relationship management with industry partners, firms, and allied organizations, with a future expansion to

Qualifications

• Experience in sponsorships, fundraising, grant writing, or nonprofit partnerships is valuable.
• Strong storytelling and donor/sponsor engagement skills are preferred.
• Ability to connect people to meaningful opportunities and manage multiple partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with sponsors, industry partners, and stakeholders.
• Support sponsorship development and fulfillment for programs and events.
• Coordinate outreach with firms and allied organizations and update sponsorship prospectus.
• Identify new partnership opportunities aligned with goals and priorities.
• Support grant identification, proposals, and narrative materials.
• Communicate impact of partnerships and coordinate engagement throughout the year.
• Help shape future Foundation partnerships and donor engagement as the role expands.

Skills

Relational skills

Prospecting & outreach

Strategic thinking

Communication (clear warmth)

Organization & multitasking

Relationship management

Growth mindset

Job description

This is a growth pathway into Foundation leadership and strategic partnerships.

Position Overview

AIA Oregon is seeking a dynamic, relationship-driven professional to serve as its next Strategic Relationship Manager — a part-time role focused on cultivating meaningful partnerships, sponsorships, visibility opportunities, and cross-sector engagement that support the future of architecture and the built environment in Oregon.

This position is ideal for someone who understands that strong partnerships are not transactional — they are built through trust, shared goals, thoughtful communication, and the ability to connect people to meaningful opportunities.

Initially, this role will support AIA Oregon’s sponsorship, partnership, and engagement efforts, including stewardship of the organization’s annual sponsorship prospectus and relationship management with industry partners, firms, and allied organizations.

Over time, the role is expected to expand into a dual-support position serving both AIA Oregon and the emerging Foundation for the Built Environment of Oregon (FBE Oregon), with increasing opportunities to shape philanthropic partnerships, mission-driven initiatives, grant development, and statewide impact programs.

This is a growth-oriented opportunity for someone excited about helping build something meaningful.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Partnerships & Sponsorships

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with sponsors, industry partners, and community stakeholders
• Support sponsorship development and fulfillment for AIA Oregon programs, events, and initiatives
• Coordinate outreach and relationship stewardship efforts with architecture firms, engineering firms, contractors, product manufacturers, utilities, and aligned organizations
• Help identify new partnership opportunities that align with organizational goals and strategic priorities
• Participate in sponsor meetings, networking events, conferences, and relationship-building activities
• Coordinate development and annual updates to AIA Oregon’s sponsorship prospectus
• Work collaboratively with staff leadership on sponsorship strategy, inventory, pricing, and packaging
• Support sponsor tracking, reporting, and fulfillment processes
• Assist with sponsorship sales and relationship follow-through

Grants & Resource Development

• Assist in identifying grant opportunities aligned with organizational and foundation priorities
• Support development of grant proposals, narrative materials, and supporting documentation
• Help coordinate information gathering, storytelling, and partner collaboration for grant submissions
• Track grant timelines, reporting requirements, and funding opportunities
• Contribute to long-term resource development strategies supporting mission growth and public impact initiatives

Communications & Engagement

• Help communicate the value and impact of partnership opportunities
• Assist with donor/sponsor storytelling, visibility opportunities, and partner recognition
• Coordinate partner engagement touchpoints throughout the year
• Support relationship-centered communications tied to programs, initiatives, and events

Foundation Growth Support (Future Expansion)

As the Foundation for the Built Environment of Oregon grows, this role is expected to evolve alongside it — helping shape partnership strategy, philanthropic storytelling, grant development, donor engagement, and long-term resource cultivation efforts statewide.

Future responsibilities may include:

• Philanthropic partnership cultivation
• Donor engagement and stewardship
• Support for statewide impact initiatives and design competitions
• Community and civic partnership development
• Strategic visibility and fundraising initiatives

Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone who:

• Is highly relational, professional, and proactive
• Enjoys connecting people and opportunities
• Understands how to build trust across industries and personalities
• Communicates with warmth, confidence, and clarity
• Is organized and able to manage multiple ongoing relationships and projects
• Can think strategically while also handling day-to-day coordination
• Is excited by growth, possibility, and helping build long-term organizational capacity

Experience in sponsorships, fundraising, grant writing, business development, marketing, communications, nonprofit partnerships, membership organizations, architecture/design industries, or community engagement is valuable — but equally important is emotional intelligence, initiative, and strong relationship instincts.

Part-time position (estimated 20–25 hours/week initially; reassessment for full time after six months and one year)

Hybrid/remote flexibility within Oregon preferred

Some travel and evening event participation required

Compensation range: approximately $35–$50/hour, depending on experience and qualifications

Growth pathway toward expanded strategic partnership and foundation leadership responsibilities