Corporate Partnership Manager (Part-time Contract Role)

About StartOut

StartOut is the leading national non-profit focused on supporting LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. StartOut’s mission is to accelerate the growth of the LGBTQ+ community to drive its economic empowerment, building a world where every LGBTQ+ entrepreneur has equal access to lead, succeed, and shape the workforce of the future.

Founded in 2009, StartOut is a global community of over 25K members and is the largest organization supporting LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. We serve all growth entrepreneurs of the LGBTQ+ community regardless of ethnicity, identity, or gender. Our membership is diverse in gender, race, identity, geographic location, and industries. To level the playing field and have measurable impact, we offer a highly subsidized suite of very successful programs to founders, including our investor portal, the StartOut Growth Lab (our 6-month accelerator), a mentorship program with over 1,000 matches to date, expert office hours, virtual and in-person events nationwide, and community building. 

StartOut is committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging both within our own organization and within the LGBTQ+ and entrepreneurial communities. This includes inclusive hiring practices, an organizational commitment to equitable and inclusive conduct (outlined in our Code of Conduct,) and initiatives and programs to increase equitable outcomes, especially for female-identified, BIPOC and Trans/GNC community members. 

Additionally, StartOut is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants of any race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, neurotype, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, and marital status. In order to promote and support diversity at every level, this policy also applies to internal promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, terminations, outside vendors, members and customers, service clients, use of contractors and consultants, and dealings with the general public. 

About the Role

StartOut seeks a part-time Corporate Partnership Manager to play a critical role in our development strategy. This contract position is ideal for a mid-level professional with a proven track record in corporate sponsorships, existing corporate relationships, and expertise in sales operations and fundraising processes.

The Corporate Partnership Manager will support StartOut’s efforts to secure new sponsorships, manage existing partnerships, and optimize our fundraising processes. This role requires a proactive, detail-oriented individual who has established corporate development experience. 

Working with the Chief Development Officer, CEO, staff, and board, the Corporate Partnership Manager has a goal of $300,000 in new money (about 15% of total corporate revenue of $2M) with several prospects already credentialed and warmed up. StartOut’s total 2025 budget is $2.63M. This is an exciting time to work at StartOut with the launch of a new strategic plan and sleight of new programs to propel LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs to success.

Job Responsibilities

Corporate Sponsorship Development:

• Together with CDO, manage existing corporate portfolio of active sponsorships, totalling $2M in annual giving. As part of this, coordinate CEO interactions/ touches with key corporate partners.
• Identify, engage, and secure new corporate sponsors aligned with StartOut’s mission, programs, and DEIB initiatives, resulting in $300,000 in new dollars (can include both new sponsors and increase giving among existing sponsors).
• Develop and refine corporate fundraising processes to ensure efficiency and success.
• Create compelling sponsorship materials, proposals, and pitch decks to attract corporate funding such as for the StartOut Awards gala and StartOut annual conference.

Donor Engagement & Stewardship:

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with corporate partners to ensure ongoing support.
• Collaborate with the StartOut team to align corporate sponsorships with key programs and initiatives.

Event Support: Assist in securing sponsorships for StartOut events, including the StartOut Awards, StartOut Conference, and other fundraising activities.

Metrics & Reporting: Track corporate sponsorship outcomes and provide regular progress updates to the StartOut leadership team.

• 5 - 10 years of experience in corporate fundraising, sales operations, or business development at nonprofit organizations. 
• Significant experience in corporate donor cultivation and solicitation. Proven track record of building donor relationships and closing gifts in the five and six-figure range.
• Existing corporate connections both including StartOut’s current sponsors and prospective sponsors. 
• Proficiency in creating persuasive sponsorship proposals and managing fundraising workflows.
• Proven track record of consulting or project management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Able to advise on sales operations to optimize StartOut’s sales funnel for corporate sponsors.    
• Expert level in CRMs (StartOut uses Salesforce).
• Passionate about StartOut’s mission and LGBTQ+ empowerment.

Contract Details

• Type: Contract position; this role will not be eligible for company sponsored benefits or paid time off
• Duration: Starting March 2025, with an initial three-month trial period. The contract will run through September 30, 2025, with the possibility of extension.
• Compensation: $50–$75 per hour, based on experience. Compensation can be structured as hourly or retainer, depending on mutual agreement.
• Hours: Part-time, approximately 15 - 20 hours per week.

• Location: Fully remote in the contiguous United States, though there is a slight preference for candidates based in the Bay Area or New York City.