Houston Chronicle · 6 hours ago
Director of Business Development and Integrated Partnerships
Houston, TX
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
10+ years expHouston Chronicle is recognized for its Pulitzer Prize-winning journalism and serves its community with content and marketing solutions. The Director of Business Development and Integrated Partnerships is responsible for designing and securing revenue-generating partnerships, leading strategy and execution for corporate sponsorships, and enhancing community engagement.
News
Responsibilities
Develop and execute an annual strategic plan focused on key initiatives, sponsorships, and major partnership opportunities
Identify, research, and qualify prospective corporate, foundation, and individual partners
Create compelling cases for support, pitch decks, proposals, and impact reports tailored to specific partners and initiatives
Collaborate with News, Sales and Marketing leads to align business development and partnership opportunities with organizational priorities and impact goals
Maintain active and ongoing pipeline for key projects and initiatives
Design and package sponsorship opportunities for events, programs, campaigns, and signature initiatives (e.g., naming opportunities, series sponsorships, innovation pilots)
Manage the full sponsorship lifecycle: prospecting, outreach, pitch meetings, negotiation, contracting (in coordination with legal/finance), and renewal
Develop and own the integrated marketing strategy aligned to company growth goals and revenue targets
Build quarterly/annual marketing plans that connect brand, content, demand generation, and business development priorities
Define positioning, messaging, and campaign themes in partnership with Product, Sales, and Leadership
Ensure sponsor benefits are delivered on time and at a high quality (branding, recognition, activation, hospitality, speaking opportunities, etc.)
Maintain ongoing communication with sponsors to deepen relationships and maximize long-term value for both the organization and the partner
Serve as a strategic partner to News, Sales, Events, Product, Customer Success, and Leadership to align go-to-market execution
Serve as the business development lead for organizational 'key initiatives' (e.g., new programs, capital or pilot projects, multi-year campaigns, or strategic partnerships)
Build and manage project plans, timelines, and budgets related to development/sponsorship components of key initiatives
Convene internal stakeholders (programs, news, sales, marketing/communications, finance, operations) to ensure alignment and successful execution
Track progress toward specific KPI’s; adjust strategies based on performance and opportunities
Support or lead community affairs strategies that enhance the organization’s presence and relationships with local stakeholders, including civic groups, community-based organizations, businesses, and residents
Represent the organization at community meetings, events, and coalitions; serve as a visible and credible ambassador
Identify opportunities for community-focused sponsorships or cause-marketing partnerships that align corporate partners’ goals with community needs
Work with all departments to promote community initiatives and highlight impact stories for both sponsors and the broader public
Partner with advertising, marketing and the news team to develop co-branded campaigns, storytelling assets, and recognition plans for sponsors and stakeholders
Work closely with News/Opinion to understand and execute key strategies for advertising leadership
Lead creation of high-impact assets: thought leadership, web content, case studies, white papers, sales collateral, email nurtures, and event content
Ensure content is performance-driven (SEO, conversion, engagement) and consistent with brand voice and messaging
Contribute to content for newsletters, social media, press releases, and annual reports related to sponsorships, key initiatives, and community affairs
Ensure all external messaging related to business development and sponsorship is consistent with brand guidelines and organizational values
Maintain accurate records of prospects, partners, sponsorship packages, and agreements in the organization’s CRM or donor database
Develop and track KPIs related to sponsorship revenue, renewal rates, pipeline growth, and community engagement
Prepare regular reports and presentations for leadership, board committees, and key stakeholders on progress against goals
Work with finance and operations to ensure accurate gift/sponsorship processing, acknowledgement, and compliance with reporting requirements
Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture that emphasizes relationship-building, accountability, and continuous improvement
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Business, Communications, Sales, Public Relations, Nonprofit Management, or related field; advanced degree a plus
10+ years of experience in development, corporate partnerships, sponsorship sales, fundraising, or business development
Demonstrated success securing and managing corporate sponsorships or major gifts
Strong relationship-building and networking skills across corporate, nonprofit, public, and community sectors
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including persuasive proposal writing and presentation skills
Strategic thinker with the ability to translate organizational goals into partner-ready opportunities
Strong project management skills: organized, detail-oriented, able to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously
Comfort working with metrics and financial targets; ability to analyze and report on fundraising performance
Proficiency with CRM and productivity tools (e.g., Microsoft Office or Google Workspace)
Mission-driven, with a genuine interest in community impact and stakeholder engagement
Persuasive, solutions-oriented, and resilient in the face of setbacks
High degree of professionalism, integrity, and discretion
Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
Preferred
Experience working with or in community-based organizations, government, or public affairs preferred
Company
Houston Chronicle
Thanks for joining the conversation with the Houston Chronicle on LinkedIn.
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Chris Stegman
Chief Revenue Officer
Henry Ford
Chief Revenue Officer
Recent News
Company data provided by crunchbase