Director of Partnerships

At Destination Madison, we are passionate about the greater Madison area and the diverse and eclectic offerings that drive visitors to explore our communities. We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Director of Partnerships who will cultivate partnerships, foster community engagement, and drive collaborative efforts with a wide range of stakeholders to strengthen the organization’s ability to promote Madison as a premier destination to visit, work and live.

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive partnership strategy that aligns with Destination Madison's goals, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and stakeholder collaboration 
• Manage the partnership budget effectively, ensuring that resources are allocated wisely and in alignment with defined priorities 
• Manage and coach the Partnership team ensuring training and knowledge necessary to meet individual, team, and organizational goals 
• Cultivate strong relationships with local businesses, corporate partners, and community organizations, including leadership of an external partnership committee that utilizes engaged stakeholders to advise and give feedback on partner-related initiatives 
• Oversee the development and execution of revenue-generating events and programs that showcase the area’s culture, arts, attractions, and natural beauty 
• Lead and manage others to provide visitor information and services and serve as passionate advocates for the Madison community 
• Collaborate across internal departments, including marketing, sales, conference services and operations, to design long-term strategies that enhance our organizational brand while driving satisfaction and engagement among our partners 
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the impact of partnership initiatives and optimize activities to ensure sustainability, revenue generation and growth 
• Maintain extensive knowledge of the greater Madison area while remaining current on industry trends, public policies and local projects that can affect the area’s profile as a premier destination

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business, or a related field 
• Demonstrated success in raising financial support from corporate and individual donors 
• A minimum of five (5) years of established leadership experience, with a demonstrated ability to mentor others and motivate a team 
• Hospitality industry experience desirable 
• Prior experience using and/or managing customer relationship management (CRM) databases is a plus

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals 
• Superior customer relation and networking skills, with the ability to build relationships across a variety of functions for the mutual exchange of ideas and resources 
• Excellent communicator across a variety of settings, audiences, and channels – preferably including experience with public speaking or presenting. Bilingual abilities are a plus 
• Persuasive negotiator who maintains positive relationships in gaining the support and commitment of others 
• Ability to analyze data and apply insights to develop strategies or tactics that deliver results 
• Continuous-improvement mindset and the confidence to take action on implementing new ideas

Compensation and Benefits:

The expected pay range for this position is $70,000 to $80,000, commensurate with experience. A comprehensive benefits package is offered to all full-time team members. More information is available on our Careers page.

Destination Madison is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.