Director of Business Development and Integrated Partnerships

Director of Business Development and Partnerships is responsible for designing securing and stewarding revenue-generating partnerships that advance the organizations highest-priority programs and initiatives. This role leads strategy and execution for corporate sponsorships philanthropic partnerships and special projects while also helping to shape and implement community affairs activities that strengthen the organizations visibility reputation and impact.

The ideal candidate is a strategic relationship-builder who understands both business objectives and community impact and can translate organizational priorities into compelling opportunities for sponsors donors and community partners.

Key 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.

Sponsorship & Corporate Partnerships

• 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.

Integrated marketing strategy & planning

• 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.

Key Initiatives Leadership & Project Management

• 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 KPIs; adjust strategies based on performance and opportunities.

Community Affairs & Stakeholder Engagement (if included in the role)

• Support or lead community affairs strategies that enhance the organizations 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.

Communications Branding & Marketing Collaboration

• 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.

Data Reporting & Administration

• Maintain accurate records of prospects partners sponsorship packages and agreements in the organizations 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.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

Foster a collaborative high-performance culture that emphasizes relationship-building accountability and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelors 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.
• Experience working with or in community-based organizations government or public affairs preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• 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).

Personal Attributes

• 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.

About the Houston Chronicle:

The Houston Chronicle recognized for its Pulitzer Prize-winning journalism serves its 2.3 million residents with content and marketing solutions across two of Houstons largest websites and along with our magazine television and newspaper brands. Our mission is to spark conversations that inspire action to create a better Houston. All our content and the innovative business solutions we provide invite Houstonians to join conversations about a community weve been committed to covering and helping prosper for more than 120 years. The community we all call home.

About Hearst Newspapers:

With 2500 employees across the nation HNP encompasses a network of 24 daily and 52 weekly publications including the San Francisco Chronicle Houston Chronicle San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union several top digital-only news and lifestyle sites marketing services businesses and entertainment businesses such as King Features Syndicate.

At HNP we are investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories growing newsrooms diversifying tools evolving platforms to support the millions of people who trust us each month to help them make decisions take action and be inspired.

Be a part of something bigger your headline awaits.

Recognizing the diverse needs of our candidates if you are interested in applying for employment and need assistance or an accommodation to use our website or regarding the application process please contact us by email at Please do not use this email address to inquire about the status of applications. We will only respond to inquiries concerning requests for a reasonable accommodation through this email address.

#LI-KR1#LI-Hybrid