Director of Business Development and Integrated Partnerships - Houston - Houston Chronicle

Description

Overview

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

• 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 2,500 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.

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