Applications are being accepted for a full-time Corporate Partnerships Coordinator to join the Fort Wayne Zoo team. This is a full-time position requiring availability for a 40-hour work week year-round. Full-time benefits include Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, 403b Plan, 403b Matching, Employee Assistance Program, Paid Days Off, Paid Holidays, Paid Health & Wellness Days, and Paid Parental Leave as well as optional Dental, Vision, Life, and Pet Insurance Programs. All team members receive Team Member Perks such as a free Staff Membership, concessions and retail discounts, development opportunities, and appreciation programs.
Application Deadline: February 15, 2026
- The Corporate Partnerships Coordinator is responsible for managing and growing the Zoo’s corporate sponsorship program.
- This includes securing new sponsorships, renewing existing partnerships, fulfilling sponsor benefits, ensuring strong relationships with corporate partners, and growing unrestricted support for the Zoo’s mission.
- This position works a flexible schedule to support evening and weekend donor events as required.
- This position also strives to embody the Zoo’s values at all times, contributes to positive guest experiences, and performs other duties as required.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
- To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Develops and maintains an annual sponsorship plan, including revenue goals, stewardship touchpoints, and timelines.
- Identifies, cultivates, and solicits corporate sponsors for Zoo programs and events.
- Prepares sponsorship proposals, agreements, and benefit packages.
- Ensures fulfillment of sponsor benefits, including signage, recognition, and event activations.
- Tracks campaign performance, analyzes results, and prepares reports to measure success and inform strategy.
- Collaborates with Marketing and Communications to deliver sponsor visibility across print, digital, and on-site channels.
- Maintains donor records in the Zoo’s CRM systems, ensuring accuracy of contact information, gift history, and engagement notes.
- Coordinates sponsor involvement in Zoo events and experiences.
- Assists with gift processing and acknowledgement letters to ensure timely and accurate stewardship.
- Stays informed and knowledgeable of current giving trends and best practices to enhance program effectiveness.
- Supports donor cultivation and stewardship activities, including occasional tours or experiences.
- Performs general office functions and assists with department reception coverage as needed.
- Works cross-functionally with Marketing and Communications and Guest Experience teams to ensure integrated partner engagement strategies.
- Demonstrates a commitment to ongoing professional development and continuous learning to support the role, the organization, and maintain industry best practices.
- Supports the Zoo’s commitment to continued growth of diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging for team members, volunteers, guests, and supporters.
- Embraces these fundamentals in leadership practices.
- Assists with special projects and helps other team members as needed.
- Actively contributes to positive guest experiences.
Education and Experience
- To perform this job successfully, an individual must have the following education and/or experience.
- High school diploma or GED is required.
- Three years of fundraising, sponsorship, corporate relations, or related work experience is required.
- Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, marketing, or related field is preferred.
- Experience with CRM systems (Blackbaud Altru preferred), email marketing platforms, and data analysis tools is preferred.
- A valid driver’s license is preferred.
- Must have transportation to attend meetings or perform other off-site work-related duties.
- Must be at least 21 years of age.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Familiarity with corporate fundraising strategies, proposal creation, sponsorship agreements, and compliance considerations.
- Comfort in building and maintaining relationships with corporate decision-makers.
- Ability to negotiate sponsorship agreements and secure mutually beneficial partnerships.
- Ability to align sponsorship benefits with corporate marketing objectives and Zoo branding.
- Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
- Ability to professionally and effectively communicate with others through written correspondence.
- Ability to troubleshoot, analyze situations, and make sound business decisions.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office software and design tools such as Canva.
- Knowledge of general office procedures and practices.
- Knowledge of correct grammar and sentence structure.
- Ability to work a highly flexible schedule as required to successfully perform the requirements and functions of the position, including required weekend, evening, holiday, and irregular hours.
- Ability to handle confidential information.
- Ability to understand and follow all safety regulations.
- Ability to track and manage multiple tasks and priorities.
- Ability to arrive at work when scheduled and maintain a positive attendance record.
- Ability to serve as a goodwill ambassador, in every respect and at all times, for the Fort Wayne Zoological Society and the Fort Wayne Zoo in contacts with guests, partners, and the community.
- Ability to deal tactfully and politely with guest questions and misbehavior.
- Excellent communication skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with team members, volunteers, partners, and the community.
Physical Demands
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Ability to work an extended workday while performing physically demanding duties for special event preparation and execution.
- Ability to operate office equipment, including computers, copiers, fax machines, and phones.
- Ability to professionally and appropriately interact and communicate with others, both in person and through phone, email, and written correspondence.
- Ability to regularly travel assigned areas several times per day and efficiently enter all assigned areas.
- Ability to read reports, receipts, and other statements; and ability to handle currency.
- Ability to properly lift and carry items up to 40 pounds.
- Ability to stand and sit for periods of time and to move intermittently throughout the workday.
- Ability to perform focused work with close attention to detail.
- Ability to work both indoors and outdoors, with exposure to extreme temperatures and inclement weather conditions; the environment may include wet, icy, or muddy conditions.
- This position may include exposure to hazardous materials, fumes/odors, dirt, and dust; potentially dangerous or venomous animals; zoonotic diseases; noxious native plants; and native biting insects and arthropods.
- This description is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this position.
- It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.
