Manager, Sponsor Relations
XPRIZE Overview
XPRIZE is an established global leader in designing and executing large-scale competitions to solve humanity’s greatest challenges. As a 501(c)3, our unique model democratizes innovation by incentivizing crowd-sourced, scientifically viable solutions to create a more equitable and abundant future for all. Since our founding in 1994, we’ve awarded over $500M in prize purses, inspired thousands of global innovators, and collaborated with the most forward-thinking changemakers of our time. We operate across 7 areas of impact, including:
- Climate & Energy
- Biodiversity & Conservation
- Food, Water & Waste
- Deep Tech
- Space & Exploration
- Learning & Society
- Health
Join XPRIZE to help empower humanity to achieve breakthroughs and architect a more equitable and abundant future for all.
Position Description
The Manager of Sponsor Relations plays a key role in ensuring that XPRIZE sponsors have a high-quality, engaging, and beneficial experience. This role is responsible for supporting sponsor engagement and strategy across multiple prize teams, maintaining sponsor records and communications, and coordinating with internal departments to ensure that sponsor expectations and deliverables are met. The Manager will communicate with key external stakeholders to ensure XPRIZE’s mission and impact are articulated and understood in the context of sponsorship, ensuring sponsors are delighted and become active promoters of the XPRIZE Foundation. Serving as a liaison between XPRIZE and its sponsors, the Manager will plan, execute, and support sponsor-related activities that foster strong relationships and continued support.
Responsibilities:
- Manage a portfolio of current sponsors and partners, ensuring their experience with XPRIZE is positive, aligned with expectations, and well-documented.
- Serve as one of the primary points of contact for day-to-day sponsor interactions, providing timely updates, coordinating meetings, and responding to sponsor requests.
- Maintain a strong working relationship with Domain Leads and Advancement Leads, with an understanding of the organization's strategic priorities and its Domains.
- Track and support fulfillment of sponsor benefits and contractual obligations by coordinating with internal teams such as Marketing, Legal, and Prize Operations.
- Support the preparation of regular sponsor reports, presentations, and communications in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
- Maintain accurate records of sponsor engagement, deliverables, and communications in Salesforce and other systems.
- Adhere to best practices and established processes in CRM; leverages data for insights and decision-making.
- Coordinate logistics and communications for sponsor-related events, meetings, or recognition opportunities.
- Collaborate with Advancement, Domain, Marketing, and Impact team members to ensure consistent and aligned sponsor messaging regarding prize/project status and prize impact materials.
- Monitor the overall health of sponsor relationships and flag any issues or concerns to leadership.
- Support proposal development, renewal efforts, and the creation of sponsor engagement tools and materials as needed.
- Assist in collecting and sharing prize impact stories or results for sponsor reporting and communications.
- Convenes and leads regular sponsor working group meetings with appropriate stakeholders, including Advancement, Domains, Marketing, Legal, Finance, etc.
- Regularly and proactively assembles sponsor working groups to review and assess the health of current sponsor relationships.
Qualifications:
- 4+ years of experience in relationship management, partnerships, account management, or related roles
- Prior experience in fundraising, sponsorships, or client services preferred
- Demonstrated ability to communicate professionally with a range of stakeholders, including senior-level contacts
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities
- Experience using Salesforce or similar CRM systems
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Travel requirement ~40%
The anticipated base salary for this position is $100,000 to $115,000 and may also qualify for an annual incentive. This role is eligible for our extensive benefits package and generous paid time off including vacation, sick, and holidays. The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors including the qualifications of the individual applicant, years of relevant experience for the role, level of education attained, and certifications and/or other licenses held. XPRIZE is a remote-first environment.
The XPRIZE FOUNDATION is an equal opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate in employment. Equal access to employment, services, and programs is available to all persons. Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application and/or interview process should notify a representative of the organization.
Please note: Though submitting a resume to the XPRIZE FOUNDATION implies that you are interested in a position(s), it does not imply that you are an applicant. You are not considered an applicant until you have been contacted directly by a Talent Acquisitions representative requesting that you begin the designated application process, which may involve phone and/or in-person interview(s), job-related testing, and background checks.