Partnership Development Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY

The Partnership Development Specialist will play a key role on Visit Milwaukee’s Partnership team. As the number of partner businesses and organizations has grown by 90% over the last four years to over 1,000 partners, this position will help maintain existing relationships and grow new ones in the Southeast Wisconsin business and nonprofit community. This role will manage the day-to-day operations for partner prospecting, onboarding, and managing longstanding relationships with our partner businesses.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Partner Growth and Retention: 

• Create and implement an inclusive partnership recruitment and sales strategy in alliance with department revenue goals. 
• Using strong networking and research techniques, stay informed of industry and market trends for opportunities and challenges to inclusive partner recruitment. 
• Assess market opportunities in the greater Milwaukee area and develop strategies for the recruitment of new partners. 
• Develop a business plan and system to solicit partners through proactive outreach, programs, and advertising sales. 
• Create email marketing campaigns to ensure there is an “always on” recruitment strategy.  
• Assist with day-to-day needs of all 1,000+ active Visit Milwaukee partners, including responding to partner inquiries via email and phone. 
• Assist with collecting dues for annual partnership renewal process via email, phone, and/or in-person partner visits. 
• Manage monthly department reporting for leadership. 
• Ensure that Visit Milwaukee’s partnership collateral, resources, and tools are always up to date. 
• Maintain detailed customer relations records of current and prospective partner account records on Visit Milwaukee’s customer relations management software. 
• Audit existing partner data regularly to increase quality and presence, both internally for partner referrals and externally for Visit Milwaukee website. 
• Onboard new partners to partnership benefits and the tourism industry. 
• Plan all internal partner programming, including small group meetings of partners, staff tours to partner businesses, monthly internal onboarding of new partners to staff, hosting partners in the office to showcase them to staff, and more. 
• Attend industry and partner networking events to further develop existing and potential partner relationships. 

Marketing and Advertising: 

• Assist with drafting email communications to partners via email marketing software. 
• Manage partner resources and data in the Visit Milwaukee CRM database and Partner Portal. 
• Assist marketing team with key promotions, including Hotel Month, Museum Days, Golf Outing, Annual Meeting and any other events that may arise throughout the year. 
• Assist with fulfillment of key advertising programs, including ad sales for our official visitors guide and official visitors map, via email, phone, and/or in-person partner visits. Over time, this role will manage advertising sales for one or both programs. 
• Serve as a backup when other staff members may be out of the office to ensure business continuity. 

Other Responsibilities: 

• Give presentations on behalf of the partnership department.  
• Represent Visit Milwaukee at community events, festivals, activations, conferences, and trade shows; occasional long-distance travel may be required.  
• Serve as department representative on internal inclusion, culture & engagement committee. 
• Assist with other projects assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Required education and experience:  

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in sales, marketing, business, communications, hospitality/tourism, or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. 
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in partnership development, sales, account management, member services, or a closely related role. 
• Previous experience within the tourism and/or hospitality industry preferred. 

Required skills, knowledge and abilities: 

• Strong enthusiasm for Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin; ability to represent the destination positively. 
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain strategic partnerships across diverse community and business groups. 
• Analytical and creative problem-solving skills to identify prospects and develop recruitment/retention strategies. 
• Strong project/time-management skills with a goal-oriented, self-directed work style in a fast-paced environment. 
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and customer-service skills; comfortable communicating with diverse audiences. 
• Strong written communication skills, including proposals, reports, and professional correspondence. 
• Proficiency with social media platforms for professional outreach and partner engagement. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). 
• Ability to learn and maintain in-depth knowledge of Visit Milwaukee’s mission, audiences, services, and the local hospitality ecosystem. 
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion demonstrated through respectful, inclusive partnership practices. 
• Strong attention to detail and proactive approach to anticipating needs and resolving obstacles. 
• Experience using CRM databases for relationship management, recordkeeping, and reporting. 
• Tech-savvy mindset; interest in using business systems/tools to improve efficiency and staying current on trends. 
• Ability to work occasional nights/weekends. 
• Ability to travel by car and airplane as required. 
• Valid driver’s license. 

Physical Requirements: 

• Ability to perform desk-based work, including operating a computer and viewing a screen for extended periods. 
• Ability to effectively communicate with partners and colleagues by phone, video conference, and in person. 
• Ability to move, lift, and carry materials for partner meetings or events, typically up to 50 pounds (with or without assistance). 
• Ability to stand and walk for moderate periods during events, site visits, or partner engagements. 
• Ability to travel locally by personal automobile; occasional air travel may be required. 
• All physical requirements may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation. 

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.