Sponsorship Executive Jobs (NOW HIRING)

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

SPONSORSHIP COORDINATOR

DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS & SPECIAL EVENTS (DCASE)

Executive Administration Division

Number of Positions: 1

(additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $78,768

New hires are paid the starting rate. Current employees' pay rate is determined by their job title and years of service.

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 08/10/2026

All qualified and interested candidates must apply online at Chi.gov/DCASEJobs

The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago's 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city - to strengthen and celebrate Chicago.

DCASE produces some of the city's most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city - serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago.

The Sponsorship Coordinator position in DCASE Executive Administration division is primarily responsible for implementing strategies to solicit and secure funding through grants and sponsorships for DCASE's initiatives, programs, and events. This position also works on special projects, assignments, and supports sponsorship development and relationship management with corporate and community partners, facilitates the execution of grant and sponsorship agreements in adherence to established terms and conditions, and prepares accurate and complex reporting as required. In this capacity, the position will perform the following:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

* Solicits foundations, external corporations, as well as other institutions for philanthropic support to bring in revenue and/or budget offsetting items through grants, cash, and in-kind goods/services for DCASE

* Implements the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of portfolios in accordance with established standards by developing significant fundraising opportunities and contacts

* Identifies sources of restricted and unrestricted funding, research funding trends, launches creative development initiatives, produces specialized fundraising correspondence and acknowledgements, and conducts in-person visits with the goal of forging prospects and networks of long-term relationships, deepening existing relationships, and uncovering new opportunities for partnerships

* Expands solicitation efforts by researching and identifying potential funding opportunities aligned with DCASE's mission and goals. Develops, writes, and executes proposals and other funding sources including writes grants, creates lists of funding opportunities, and manages the development calendar and donor database

* Serves as a liaison and contact for funders

* Plans and attends meetings, receptions, hospitality and appreciation events, and other donor and fundraising activities, and responds to inquiries and resolves issues or problems

* Negotiates grant agreements and writes comprehensive reports with narrative and statistical components on program status and effectiveness

* Works with the Partnerships and Marketing divisions to create DCASE programs/projects marketing materials that are targeted at foundations and other potential funders requiring outcomes and evaluations

* Establishes and cultivates relationships with current and prospective donors

* Works on special projects and assignments

* Assists with other DCASE events, programs, and activities

Additional duties may be required for this position

Location: Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE)

Executive Administration Division

78 E. Washington St., Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL 60602

Days: Monday - Friday (occasional weekend hours will be required)

Hours: 9:00am - 5:00pm (occasional early morning or evening hours will be required)

THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training, and Experience

* Seven (7) years of work experience in sales, securing sponsorship, or developing recruitment strategies, OR

* Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, Humanities, Education, or a directly related field, plus five (5) years of work experience in sales, securing sponsorship, or developing recruitment strategies, OR

* Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, Humanities, Education, or a directly related field, plus three (3) years of work experience in sales, securing sponsorship, or developing recruitment strategies, OR

* Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, Humanities, Education, or a directly related field, plus two (2) years of work experience in sales, securing sponsorship, or developing recruitment strategies

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires applicants to complete an interview which will include a skills assessment as part of the interview. The interviewed candidate possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the interview process will be selected.

Desired Skills:

* Bachelor's degree or above in Business Administration, Public Administration, Marketing, Communications, English, Philanthropic Studies, or Nonprofit Management

* Previous experience with fundraising (development)

* Previous experience writing grant proposals and soliciting major gifts

* Previous experience working at a large organization and/or multi-layered organization, such as art museums, universities, government agencies, or national non-profits

* Previous experience working with diverse communities and people with diverse backgrounds

* Ability to write and speak Spanish fluently

For information about City of Chicago employee benefits, please click here

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Application Evaluation: Initial evaluation will be based on the information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resources staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow all required employment/hiring plan provisions, federal, state, and local laws, and collective bargaining agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago

Commitment to Diversity: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience, the City of Chicago has adopted ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States, residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA), and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. The learn more about our hiring processes, please click here.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago in an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor