Reporting to:
CEO or nominated senior leader

Relationships:
Work closely with the following:
External

• Current sponsors and partners
• Prospective sponsors and commercial partners
• Event suppliers and stakeholders
• Industry contacts and referral networks
• Chapter Committees

Internal

• Marketing & Comms team
• Member Relations team
• Events team
• Program & Content Lead
• Business Manager

Conditions:
Part-time - 15.2 hours per week (2 days) negotiable, configured as needed, but including each Monday morning with flexible and hybrid work options
Note: The scope of this role may be extended in 2027

Location:       
Based in Australia or New Zealand

Additional Benefits:
Phone package/Internet allowance

About the Opportunity
This is an exciting opportunity to share your skills and develop this new role for a vibrant (and growing) membership organisation that specialises in educational Advancement in Australasia and Asia. You will be a critical part of a lean but power-house team that is very member-centric and delivers high quality output. We love attention to detail, combined with clever, out of the box thinking … with a twist of fun and loads of passion.

This dynamic position offers a flexible work arrangement, working from a home office with a team located in multiple cities across Australia and New Zealand.

This is an important growth role for educate+ that blends relationship stewardship with proactive business development. It will suit a commercially astute and highly relational professional who can nurture existing partnerships while confidently opening doors to new opportunities. The role plays a key part in strengthening sponsor value, supporting major events and helping educate+ build a sustainable and future-focused partnership model.

What Will You Be Doing in this Role?
The Sponsorship Lead is responsible for leading and growing educate+’s sponsorship and partner portfolio with a strong business development focus. This role will manage and deepen relationships with existing sponsors and partners while building a healthy pipeline of new commercial opportunities across the organisation.

The role oversees sponsor and partner engagement across educate+ including Chapter partnerships and sponsorships as well as sponsorship for major events such as Summits and the International Conference. It is both strategic and hands-on, requiring strong relationship management, commercial acumen and the ability to convert opportunities into long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships.

Key Objectives

• Strengthen and grow revenue from sponsorships and partnerships across educate+
• Deliver excellent relationship management for existing sponsors and partners
• Build a strong and sustainable pipeline of new sponsor prospects
• Identify partnership opportunities aligned to educate+’s strategic priorities, member needs and brand
• Support successful sponsorship outcomes across Chapters, Summits and the International Conference
• Enhance sponsor experience, retention and long-term value

Key Responsibilities
Sponsorship and Partnership Growth

• Develop and implement an annual sponsorship and partnership plan aligned to organisational goals
• Identify, prospect and secure new sponsors and commercial partners across relevant sectors
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of qualified sponsorship opportunities
• Lead outreach, proposal development, negotiation and conversion of new sponsorship opportunities
• Work with internal stakeholders to create compelling partnership packages and tailored value propositions
• Monitor market trends, member needs and event opportunities to identify new revenue streams

Relationship Management

• Act as the key relationship lead for all current educate+ sponsors and partners
• Build trusted and productive relationships that support retention, renewal and growth
• Ensure sponsors and partners receive high-quality service, clear communication and strong return on investment
• Conduct regular sponsor check-ins, performance reviews and renewal discussions
• Manage sponsor records, touchpoints, commitments and follow-up in the relevant CRM or tracking system

Event Sponsorship

• Lead sponsorship sales and account management for educate+ Summits and the International Conference
• Work closely with event and marketing teams to develop sponsorship prospectuses, packages and activation opportunities
• Secure sponsors aligned to event audiences and objectives
• Ensure all sponsor deliverables are fulfilled accurately and on time
• Support on-site sponsor engagement and relationship management where required

Chapter Sponsorship and Partner Coordination

• Oversee and support Chapter partner and sponsor relationships across the educate+ network
• Work collaboratively with Chapter leaders and relevant staff to ensure a coordinated and consistent approach
• Provide guidance, tools and support to strengthen local sponsorship outcomes
• Ensure Chapter sponsorship activity aligns with educate+ brand, standards and broader partnership strategy

Internal Collaboration and Stewardship

• Collaborate with marketing, membership, events and leadership teams to align partnership activity with organisational priorities
• Contribute to the development of sponsor communications, promotional opportunities and stewardship plans
• Ensure sponsors are integrated effectively into member-facing activities and events where appropriate
• Support the development of reports and insights that demonstrate partnership impact and value

Reporting and Administration

• Data driven decision-making is critical and regular reporting is required
• Track sponsorship performance against revenue targets, renewal rates and pipeline goals
• Prepare regular reports on sponsorship activity, outcomes, risks and opportunities
• Maintain accurate records, contracts, proposals and partner documentation
• Monitor sponsor entitlements and ensure compliance with agreed terms
• Contribute to budget planning and forecasting for sponsorship revenue

Academic & Trades Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification or demonstrated equivalent competency
• At least three years’ sponsorship or business development experience
• The relevant rights to work in Australia or New Zealand

Desired Personal & Professional Skills

• Proven experience in sponsorship, partnerships, business development or account management
• Demonstrated success in securing new business and growing revenue
• Strong relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills
• Ability to develop proposals, pitch value and negotiate commercial arrangements
• Experience working across events, sponsorship activations or member-based organisations is highly desirable
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• High level of organisation and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines across a distributed stakeholder environment
• Experience using CRM systems and tracking sales or sponsorship pipelines
• Understanding of the education, association or not-for-profit sector would be an advantage

Personal Attributes

• Commercially minded with a growth focus
• Confident, credible and relationship-driven
• Collaborative and highly responsive
• Strategic thinker who is also able to execute
• Professional, proactive and outcomes-focused
• Strong sense of initiative and accountability
• Values-aligned with the mission and member focus of educate+

Additional Requirements

• Capacity to work flexibly around key event periods and sponsor deadlines
• Some travel may be required for major events, sponsor meetings and Chapter engagement
• Availability to support educate+ events including Summits and the International Conference

To Apply:

Please send the following to Mandy McFarland, CEO, Educate Plus - mandy@educateplus.org

• Cover Letter
• CV

Closing Date:

All Applications need to be received by 5pm on Monday 13 April, 2026.

Note that educate+ reserves the right to commence interviews prior to the closing date.