About the Company
Southwick’s Zoo is one of New England’s largest and most respected family-owned zoos. Alongside the Zoo, the organization operates Galliford’s Restaurant & Tavern, Wild Events (weddings and private events), and non-profit organizations such as the historic Daniels Farmstead.
Together, these brands create a unique ecosystem combining wildlife, hospitality, history, conservation, and public engagement.
Position Overview
Southwick’s Zoo is seeking a dynamic Partnerships & Sponsorships Manager to lead two interconnected but distinct areas:
Partnerships and promotions for Southwick’s Zoo and its commercial brandsSponsorships, donor development, and fundraising partnerships for the non-profit organizationsThis role blends community engagement, revenue generation, sponsorship sales, and relationship management into a highly visible position that directly impacts attendance, brand reach, and philanthropic support.
Part I: Partnerships and Promotions
This portion of the role focuses on building and maintaining tourism, community, and promotional partnerships that drive attendance and bookings.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development, execution, and ongoing management of partnerships with chambers of commerce, tourism bureaus, hotels, attractions, and regional organizations
- Own cooperative promotions and cross-marketing initiatives from concept through execution
- Plan, coordinate, and personally staff expos, festivals, and community activations, both on-site and off-site
- Develop and deploy partner communications, including a recurring partnership newsletter, promotional announcements, and targeted outreach campaigns
- Create partnership proposals, presentations, and promotional collateral to support outreach, activations, and sponsorship fulfillment
- Maintain accurate listings across tourism guides, partner websites, and regional calendars, ensuring seasonal and event-based updates are consistently represented
- Manage sponsorship fulfillment for Zoo-based partners, ensuring all commitments are delivered clearly and on time
- Track partnership performance, engagement, and ROI, and provide regular summaries to leadership
Part II: Sponsorships and Donor Development
This portion of the role focuses on raising funds, securing sponsors, and cultivating donors to support historic preservation, education, and community programming.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and promote sponsorship opportunities for events, festivals, and programs
- Identify, pursue, and manage corporate, small business, and individual sponsorship relationships
- Lead sponsorship outreach and communications, from initial pitch through agreement and fulfillment
- Coordinate sponsor agreements, benefits, and recognition in collaboration with internal teams
- Build and maintain long-term relationships with sponsors, donors, and community benefactors
- Support donor stewardship, reporting, and ongoing engagement initiatives
- Assist with funding initiatives, grant-related sponsorships, and campaign-based support
- Prepare materials and communications for fundraising campaigns, sponsor outreach, and donor engagement
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or related field
- 2–5 years of experience in partnerships, sponsorships, sales, marketing, or fundraising
- Strong relationship-building and networking skills
- Comfortable with sponsorship sales and donor conversations
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Experience with events, promotions, or nonprofit fundraising preferred
To apply, please submit the following:
Resume outlining your relevant experienceCover letter explaining why you’re interested in this role and how your skills align with the responsibilitiesIn addition, please include one of the following:
Option 1: Short Video Introduction
Record a brief video (2–3 minutes) introducing yourself and sharing why you’re excited about working with Southwick’s Zoo and its family of brands. This does not need to be professionally produced — a simple webcam or phone video is perfec
tly fine.or
Option 2: Written Response
If you prefer not to record a video, include a written response answering the following:
What attracted you to this role?How you approach working in a fast-paced, multi-brand environment?What excites you most about contributing to Southwick’s Zoo and its affiliated brands?
Please include links to any relevant examples only if they directly support your experience (optional)
Compensation range for this position: $50,000 - $65,000 per year based on experience and education.
