City : Toronto

Category : Marketing - Brand, Advertising & Sponsorship

Industry : Charitable and Non-profit

Employer : Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity

Manager, Strategic Sponsorship

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity aims to inspire everyone who attends our campus – artists, leaders, and thinkers – to unleash their creative potential.

We acknowledge, with deep respect and gratitude, our home on the side of Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain. In the spirit of respect and truth, we honour and acknowledge the Banff area, known as “Minhrpa” (translated in Stoney Nakoda as “the waterfalls”) and the Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Îyârhe Nakoda (Stoney Nakoda) – comprised of the Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Goodstoney Nations – as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation and the Blackfoot Confederacy comprised of the Siksika, Piikani, Kainai. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Shuswap Nations, Ktunaxa Nations, and Metis Nation of Alberta, Rockyview District 4. We acknowledge all Nations who live, work, and play, help us steward this land, and honour and celebrate this place.

The Opportunity

The Manager, Strategic Sponsorship, will support the development and implementation of a comprehensive sponsorship strategy for Banff Centre.  The incumbent will Identify potential sponsors that align with Banff Centre’s goals and values and optimize impact on net revenue, value add and brand awareness. Create compelling sponsorship proposals that align with sponsors’ objectives and deliver maximum value to the Banff Centre.  Negotiate sponsorship agreements and manage contracts.  Work with cross-functional teams to fulfill sponsorship agreements and to ensure that sponsors receive appropriate and contracted visibility and recognition.  Track and report on the performance of the sponsorships. The incumbent will be responsible for cultivating and maintaining relationships that will ensure mutual benefit.  Networks regularly extend around the world, and range from the public to senior corporate, government and foundation representatives.  This role works across Banff Centre's campus, including working collaboratively with the Director, Mountain Culture, to provide stewardship and relationship management for new and existing Banff Centre Mountain, Film and Book Festival strategic sponsorships.

Roles and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Executive Director, Marketing and Communications, below are some key accountabilities:

Strategic Sponsorship

• Develop and implement sponsorship strategies that align with the organization's overall sponsorship goals, including; the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival, Banff Centre Summer Arts Festival and the Banff International String Quartet Competition.
• Maintain a success and robust sponsorship program for the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival and World Tour.
• Demonstrates respectful, effective, and appropriate communication to achieve divisional and organizational buy-in for sponsorship and partnership activities and initiatives.
• Cultivate and enhance authentic relationships both internally and externally to optimize revenue generation from sponsors.
• Build awareness of the Banff Centre among internal and external sponsors and engage them in the Centre’s vision and plans.
• Speak and present in a clear and credible manner, listen for diverse perspectives, and set mutually beneficial expectations with a variety of sponsors.
• Create compelling pitch decks and sponsorship reports.

Research and Identification

• Research and identify sponsor leads that align with Banff Centre's strategic objectives. This involves understanding the sponsor's market presence, objectives, and how they can benefit from the partnership.

Proposal Development 

• Create compelling sponsorship proposals outlining the benefits and opportunities for sponsors.

Negotiation

• The Strategic Sponsorship manager negotiates terms, including; financial agreements, exposure, branding rights, and other benefits. They ensure that both parties are satisfied with the terms and conditions of the sponsorship.

Relationship Management

• Act as a liaison between the organization and the sponsor, ensuring that both parties fulfill their obligations, and that the sponsorship remains mutually beneficial.
• Provide mentorship and communication of marketing-based strategic partnerships to Events and Public Engagement, Development teams and Banff Centre colleagues as applicable.
• Effectively communicate with external and internal sponsors and donors.

Activation and Execution

• Implement sponsorship agreements, ensuring that the agreed-upon benefits and deliverables are fulfilled.

Evaluation and Reporting

• Analyze the effectiveness of sponsorships, measuring the return on investment (ROI) for both the organization and the sponsor. They prepare reports on the success of sponsorships and make recommendations for future partnerships based on these evaluations.

Financial / Contractual / Budget / Forecasting

• Manages a budget including revenues and expenditures with targets and parameters being reviewed and agreed annually.
• Collaborates with the Executive Director, Marketing and Communications and General Council to facilitate optimal contract development.
• Prepares initial draft of budget area for annual budget development within parameters set, which is then approved or adjusted in line with overall Banff Centre budget process.
• Oversees handling of all day-to-day budget administration and management (invoicing, financial reconciliations, purchase orders, budget monitoring, etc.) within budget area.
• Ensures contracts are in place (and filed) for sponsor and other relevant stakeholders as it relates to revenue and other commitments.
• Manage budgets related to sponsorships, forecasting future sponsorship opportunities, and assessing the financial impact of potential sponsorships.
• Finding and securing revenue (cash and in-kind) to meet annual and larger term targets through proactively initiating, developing, and maintaining long-term strategic alliances and relationships with sponsors, and donors.

Contacts

• Maintains regular and extensive verbal and written communication with sponsor, donor and agency representatives involving strategy, information exchange, stewardship, and negotiation of contractual obligations, work methods and procedures.
• Participates in an ongoing metrics project with other front-line Development team members, tracking activity with current and prospective supporters towards monthly and annual targets.

Program: Sponsorship and Donor Relations

• Develops overall yearly and multi-year plans and a critical path for each sponsor, agency, and donor as well as an overall project/relationship management schedule and program; ensures timely follow-up and revision of schedules as required and approved.
• Develops and implements on-going program elements for each sponsor, agency and donor based on complete understanding of each contract and strong relationship management practices.
• Develops contracts and reviews with sponsors, funders, and Banff Centre’s General Counsel (as applicable) for internal approval and signing.

• Implements extensive research and analysis on prospective sources of funding to ensure a strong short-, medium- and long-term pipeline of funders and prospective funders, and ad purchasers, for sustainable revenue needs.

   

Qualifications and Educational Requirements

• Bachelors degree or Diploma in Marketing, Sales or Business Communications
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in Sponsorship or related field
• Ability to seek collaborative solutions and to persuade others
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
• Intermediate to advanced project management skills
• Ability to successfully manage multiple tasks and projects with strong attention to detail
• Ability to initiate and grow potential sponsor relationships
• High level of reliability and motivation
• Strong commitment to customer service
• Strong negotiating skills
• Ability to work according to broad direction without close supervision
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities and tasks
• Presentation skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Raisers Edge or other fundraising management database experience
• Knowledge and experience in the outdoor industry would be an asset

 Employment Terms and Benefits

• In accordance with the terms of employment governing Management/PSP employees, this is a salaried, fulltime position, subject to a 6-month probationary period.
• The salary range for this position is $59,495 to $88,346 annually, based on experience.
• The successful candidate will enjoy twenty paid vacation days and four personal days annually, extended medical and dental benefits, and participation in an employer-matched pension plan.
• Benefits of working at Banff Centre are:
  • Transitional Staff housing options (based on availability)
  • Professional Development
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Hybrid work environment (3 days in the office, 2 days remote)
  • Health care spending account
  • Staff cafeteria and restaurant discounts
  • Onsite fitness facility at a discounted rate – first month free for new staff!

Application Process

• We are accepting applications for the Manager, Strategic Sponsorship position until 11:59pm MDT on April 27, 2026.

• Candidates offered a position with Banff Centre, in this capacity, will be required to obtain a criminal record check verifying a clear record before a final job offer can be finalized.

• Visa Requirements: Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada. Banff Centre is unable to assist candidates in obtaining Canadian work authorization.