Build strategic partnerships with leading organizations while shaping some of California's largest conferences and events. We're looking for an experienced sponsorship professional who enjoys developing long-term corporate partnerships—not cold calling or traditional fundraising—and wants to work remotely from anywhere in California.
The Conferences and Events team provides comprehensive event planning and logistical support for in-person, virtual, and hybrid events. The team supports a wide range of convenings, meetings, conferences, and special events that advance engagement and systemwide priorities.
Why is this exciting?
The Sponsorships Manager leads the strategy, cultivation, and management of corporate sponsorships for a diverse portfolio of conferences, conventions, and special events. This role owns the full sponsorship lifecycle—from prospecting and sponsorship proposal development through contract execution, sponsor activation, onsite fulfillment, post-event reporting, renewal, and long-term relationship management. This role focuses exclusively on corporate event sponsorships and strategic partnerships.
The ideal candidate is an experienced sponsorship or partnership professional who thrives in a fast-paced conference and events environment. You're equally comfortable building relationships with corporate sponsors, developing compelling sponsorship proposals, coordinating onsite sponsor activations, and ensuring every sponsorship commitment is delivered flawlessly.
- Build and grow strategic partnerships with corporate sponsors across a diverse portfolio of statewide conferences, conventions, and special events, serving as a trusted advisor and primary relationship manager.
- Serve as a strategic partner to sponsors by understanding their business objectives and recommending creative sponsorship opportunities that maximize visibility, engagement, and return on investment.
- Develop innovative sponsorship opportunities that align sponsor goals with meaningful experiences for California Community College leaders, educators, and partners.
- Lead the sponsorship journey from start to finish—identifying new opportunities, negotiating agreements, coordinating sponsor activations, and delivering measurable value that drives long-term renewals.
- Create exceptional sponsor experiences by bringing sponsorship benefits to life through branding, exhibitor experiences, speaking opportunities, networking events, and onsite activations.
- Shape the future of our sponsorship program by identifying new partnership opportunities, strengthening sponsor engagement strategies, and helping expand relationships across multiple Foundation initiatives.
- Partner with talented colleagues across conferences, marketing, communications, and program teams to deliver seamless, high-impact events and ensure sponsors receive outstanding service.
- Use data and relationship insights to manage sponsorship opportunities, forecast renewals, and identify opportunities to grow sponsorship revenue and engagement.
- Influence how we work by improving sponsorship strategies, tools, and processes that enhance efficiency, consistency, and the overall sponsor experience.
Attributes for Success
- 3+ years managing corporate sponsorships or strategic partnerships
- Experience with conferences, trade shows, or large events
- Strong relationship management and negotiation skills
- CRM experience (Salesforce preferred)
- Ability to manage multiple partnerships simultaneously
- Experience working within or supporting educational institutions or nonprofit organizations is strongly preferred.
- We’re recruiting for mission-driven, passionate, equity-minded individuals with a strong desire to impact and change people’s lives for the better
- Our work holds great weight and responsibility, and the opportunity to impact the lives of millions
- Innovation, creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurship are encouraged as employees work to achieve organizational goals
- FoundationCCC blends the impact of a non-profit, the culture of an entrepreneurial start-up, and the scale of a state agency
- Team members are hired for their expertise in niche areas across our areas of impact and higher education overall, and for their knowledge of business, philanthropy, technology, communications, and more
- We have a commitment to professional development and an emphasis on shared leadership, to ensure growth for employees and the organization overall
What we Offer
FoundationCCC is fully committed to a “remote-first” philosophy, and recruits and hires talent across the state in fully remote positions, where virtual work is possible. Our headquarters are located in Downtown Sacramento, just blocks from California’s State Capitol.
Benefits
- Competitive compensation, generous PTO, holidays
- Medical, dental, and vision plans, Flexible Spending Accounts, and Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and Wellness offerings
- CalPERS retirement program and optional 403(b) and 457 Retirement plans
- Tuition reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness certified employer
If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected].
Budgeted Annual Salary Pay Range:
$90,000.00 - $100,000.00Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.
Skills Required
- 3-5+ years client-facing experience in end-to-end event planning, sponsorship activation, conference services, and logistics
- 2-3+ years managing programs, projects, or stakeholder relationships with cross-functional collaboration
- Proficiency using CRM systems to manage stakeholder and sponsor data
- Direct experience with Salesforce
- Experience working with or supporting educational institutions or nonprofit organizations
- Strong understanding of sponsorship value, audience engagement strategies, sponsor stewardship, and sponsorship trends
- Strong client management skills: stakeholder communication, expectation management, and relationship maintenance
- Proven skills in relationship management, negotiation, sales, client service, and sponsor communications
- Mission-driven, equity-minded orientation and commitment to professional development
What We Do
The Foundation for California Community Colleges (FoundationCCC) works to benefit students, colleges, and communities by reducing barriers to opportunities for all Californians and accelerating paths to economic and social mobility. The organization was founded in 1998 and serves as the official statewide nonprofit organization supporting the California Community Colleges, the largest system of higher education in the nation. FoundationCCC operates just over 70 programs and services that improve educational access and affordability, address basic needs, connect students to work-based learning, and tackle local climate change effects. These programs are organized across six priority Areas of Impact: Student Success, Workforce, Development, Equity, Community Impact, Climate Action, and System Support. The organization’s work is made possible through funding from and partnerships with philanthropy, public agencies, corporations, and donors. Since inception in 1998, FoundationCCC has grown to be one of the largest operating foundations in higher education, with over 550 full-time employees and annual revenues of over $167 million.
