Patronage Specialist at Zeitz Museum Of Contemporary Art Africa

Job Summary

• The Patronage Specialist supports the Museum Patronage Manager in executing the museum’s patronage strategy through sponsorships, partnerships, corporate engagement, membership growth, and special projects. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, the role focuses on activating strategic initiatives, managing stakeholder engagement, and enhancing revenue generation to support the museum’s sustainability and impact.                                                                                                                                                                             

Sponsorships, Collaborations & Strategic Partnership

• Collaboration of Fundraising Efforts: Support the Museum Patronage Manager with fundraising campaigns and initiatives.
• Plan Engagement Events: Implement an annual programme of events for members, sponsors, patrons, and donors, aligned with marketing goals.
• Build Strategic Relationships: Network to support the museum’s funding strategy and cultivate new prospects.
• Grow Supporter Pipeline: Identify and engage new patrons, donors, and sponsors to drive long-term support and maintain regular communication and engagement with key supporters.
• Lead Sponsorship Strategy: Develop and implement corporate sponsorship plans in line with museum objectives.
• Deliver Activations & Partnerships: Ensure smooth execution of sponsorship activations and fulfilment of partnership agreements.
• Enable Cross-Functional Integration: Coordinate with internal teams to embed sponsor and partner initiatives across exhibitions and programmes.

Corporates and Membership

• Fundraising Support: Assist in executing fundraising campaigns and initiatives.
• Event Planning: Deliver a year-round calendar of member, sponsor, and donor events.
• Relationship Building: Network and engagement to strengthen the museum’s funding base.
• Pipeline Development: Identify and nurture new patrons, donors, and sponsors.
• Stakeholder Management: Maintain regular engagement with key supporters.
• Sponsorship Strategy: Develop and manage corporate sponsorships and partnerships.
• Activation Delivery: Oversee smooth execution of sponsorship benefits.
• Team Collaboration: Work across departments to integrate sponsor initiatives into programmes.

 Special Projects and Activations

• Cultivate Membership Growth: Engage existing members to encourage deeper support and philanthropic giving.
• Support Corporate Membership Planning: Assist in developing and executing the corporate membership programme.
• Set and Drive Funding Goals: Collaborate on setting corporate funding targets and achieving strategic objectives.
• Lead Corporate Engagement: Champion the corporate membership programme and onboard new partners.
• Steward Key Relationships: Build and maintain relationships with potential corporate members and stakeholders.
• Deliver Member Benefits: Oversee access, event invitations, and other benefits for members.

 Communications and Reporting

• Budget Support: Assist the Patronage Manager in tracking the annual patronage budget.
• Marketing Collaboration: Develop and execute marketing plans for the membership programme in partnership with the comms team.
• Promote Patronage Initiatives: Lead creation and delivery of campaign collateral and communications across platforms.
• Content Creation: Produce and manage monthly member newsletters, from content to distribution.
• Internal & External Engagement: Identify engagement opportunities and promote membership programmes across departments and public audiences.
• Performance Tracking: Monitor and report on sponsorship and partnership success, using data to improve strategies and show impact.

 Management and Operations

• Database Oversight: Manage the membership and patron database with support from the Patronage Coordinator.
• Brand-Aligned Communication: Ensure all communications reflect Zeitz MOCAA’s tone and standards, in collaboration with the comms team.
• Tailored Newsletters: Create newsletters for various funder segments.
• CRM Management: Lead the implementation and maintenance of CRM and membership systems.
• Invoicing Coordination: Oversee member invoicing processes in partnership with the Patronage Coordinator and relevant internal teams.

Person specification

What you’ll need to be successful in the role:

• 3-year bachelor’s degree or diploma or relevant equivalent NQF level
• Minimum of 3 years of work experience in related field with management experience
• Soliciting funds through corporates, donors, sponsorships, patrons, and philanthropy
• Database management experience
• Highly personable
• Strong ability to engage and influence at senior levels
• Strong organisational skills with ability to priorities and manage multiple tasks and responsibilities, with project and time management skills
• Excellent research, writing, editing, proofreading, and verbal communication skills
• Negotiation skills and ability to build productive business relationships and close sales or conversions
• Strong computer skills, particularly in MS Word & Excel for reporting and analysis.
• Good skills of utilization of information systems to support fund-raising activities
• Ability to manage confidential records and sensitive donor information with discretion and confidentiality
• Proven track record of stakeholder engagement skills
• Ability to lead and manage a team at this level
• Attention to detail and strong follow-up
• Ability to effectively prioritise, multitask and coordinate a high level of activity under a variety of conditions and constraints and completion within deadlines