Reports to: Chief Development OfficerStatus: Permanent Full-time
Are you a commercially astute deal-maker who sees corporate partnerships as more than sponsorship - and wants to build something genuinely different at one of Canada's most iconic cultural institutions?Join us to drive the next era of corporate partnerships at the TSO - closing high-value, mission-aligned deals that fuel artistic ambition and long-term sustainability.
As Director, Partnerships, you'll lead the next era of TSO's corporate portfolio - building integrated, mission-aligned partnerships across collaborations, sponsorships, and brand activations. You'll identify strategic partnerships, build a balanced and diverse portfolio, design and price the partnership offer, and build partnerships that are impact-focused and built around shared ambition.
For more than a century, the TSO has been a cornerstone of Canadian culture, steadfast in its commitment to musical excellence and to the vibrant communities we serve. Through acclaimed concerts, recordings, and tours, the TSO enriches audiences while reflecting the diversity of Toronto—one of the world’s most multicultural cities. Music Director Gustavo Gimeno brings artistic vision and a sense of adventure to the 93-musician orchestra. Engaging audiences of all ages, the TSO leads a myriad of education, health-and-well-being, and community-access programs, including the tuition-free Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, cultivating the next generation of Canadian artists.
Set the strategic direction for the corporate partnerships portfolio across collaborations, partnerships, sponsorships, and brand activations - driving the evolution of the program toward deeper, mission-aligned, commercially compelling relationships. Hold full accountability for annual partnership revenue targets across sponsorship and philanthropic streams, and for the health, growth, and conversion of a multi-year prospect pipeline. Personally identify, cultivate, negotiate, and close partnership commitments, including multi-year and integrated agreements. Design, price, and refresh the TSO's partnership offer — including tiered packages, valuation methodology, activation concepts, and bespoke proposals — to respond to market conditions and maximize both commercial and philanthropic value. Hold partner-facing accountability for the delivery of contracted benefits and activations, partnering with internal teams to ensure each commitment is executed with excellence and brings the partnership to life for the partner's audiences, employees, and clients. Lead, mentor, and develop a team of two direct reports, setting clear performance expectations, building commercial capability, and fostering an entrepreneurial, high-performance culture. Collaborate closely with Artistic leadership, Education & Community, Marketing & Communications, and Finance to ensure partnership offers are commercially compelling, artistically aligned, and operationally deliverable. Partner with the Director of Philanthropy and Director of Individual Giving to identify and convert cross-portfolio opportunities in both directions - between corporate, individual, and audience pipelines. Drive the creation of compelling pitch materials, customized partnership proposals, and stewardship reports that translate the TSO's artistic ambition into commercial value - winning new partners and deepening existing ones through clear, brand-aligned, ROI-driven storytelling. Equip and partner with Board members, Development Committee members, and senior corporate volunteers to drive peer-to-peer outreach, partner cultivation, and solicitation. Support the Chief Development Officer and Executive Leadership in planning for a future major campaign, including the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of corporate campaign commitments. Maintain commercial and operational discipline across the portfolio - including contract management, benefits-delivery tracking, pipeline reporting, CRM hygiene, budget oversight, and KPI accountability across revenue, retention, conversion, and partner progression. Maintain a current view of the market - tracking trends in corporate philanthropy, sponsorship, brand activation, and arts-sector partnerships - and bring an entrepreneurial, opportunity-spotting mindset to growing the portfolio. Maintain a strong on-site presence at TSO performances, partner activations, and donor events, using these moments to deepen partner relationships, host prospects, and represent the TSO at the executive level.
10+ years of progressive experience in corporate partnerships and sponsorship, with a demonstrated track record of securing and growing six- and seven-figure partnerships. Demonstrated experience designing and negotiating complex, multi-year, multi-channel partnership agreements, including activation strategy, benefit fulfillment, performance measurement and reporting Strong understanding of the principles of fundraising and the gift cycle, with the ability to apply these principles to the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of corporate partners. Demonstrated leadership experience, including direct management of staff, team development, and the ability to work collaboratively across a complex organization. Strong strategic planning, analytical, and financial acumen, including experience managing revenue targets, pipelines, and partner ROI reporting. Sophisticated interpersonal, communication, presentation, and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage senior corporate executives, donors, board members, and executive leadership. Experience working closely with marketing, communications, events and cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality partner experiences and activations. Experience in the performing arts, cultural, educational, or complex not-for-profit environment strongly preferred. High level of professionalism, discretion, and ethical judgment, including the ability to manage confidential donor and partner information. Post-secondary degree or equivalent professional experience.
Be part of an organization that believes music connects, heals, and inspires — and that the right corporate partnerships can broaden that impact in meaningful ways. You'll have the platform, partners, and profile to build the kind of partnerships that matter — to your career, to the TSO, and to the city we serve. Compensation & BenefitsSalary range: $100,000–$120,000 CAD (commensurate with experience). Benefits: 100% company paid benefits including Telus-Health Employee Family Assistance program (provided after successful completion of the first three (3) months of employment); Company paid pension contributions provided after the completion of one year of employment; 3 weeks vacation prorated during the first year, complimentary tickets to TSO concerts and a hybrid work environment.
Submit a cover letter and resume. Apply through the “Apply Now” button. Submissions are accepted until June 5, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. TSO thanks all candidates for their interest, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
The TSO is committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the City of Toronto and encourages applications from all qualified individuals. We are also committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment process; if you require accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs.
This role involves extended periods of computer and desk work with regular breaks, frequent phone and in-person interactions, occasional lifting of materials for events, and concert/event attendance that may involve standing for extended periods. The position operates in a hybrid office environment and may require occasional travel for donor visits or professional development.
