Manager, Advertising & Brand Partnerships

Department Background

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University's second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world's complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a globally renowned nonprofit institution that advances research, education, citizen science, and conservation to improve the understanding and protection of birds and biodiversity. A vibrant unit within Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the Lab has seven interdisciplinary centers directed by full-time faculty and staff. Supported by more than 160,000 donors, the Lab offers rich lifelong learning opportunities to the public through distance-learning courses, citizen-science projects, live Bird Cams, interactive web and mobile apps, publications, and multimedia.

Cornell communicators share a mission to enhance and preserve the university's brand and reputation as a top research institution and a leader in higher education, and to support and promote critical programs that serve the university's teaching, research, and public engagement mission.

Communication services are carried out through a matrixed organizational system in which University Relations houses the departments of News (Cornell Chronicle), Media Relations (pitching and servicing media requests), Brand (cornell.edu, multimedia production, brand management and governance), Strategic Communications (communications plans, key messaging, social media management), and Cornellians (digital alumni publication).

Communicators in colleges, schools, and units regularly collaborate with, and consult, University Relations departments. University Relations serves as a partner and resource for all college/unit communicators.

Position Summary

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is seeking an entrepreneurial partnerships leader to help expand one of the most trusted brands in conservation science. The right candidate will work with a Lab communications ecosystem that reaches millions of people worldwide through platforms including Merlin Bird ID, eBird, AllAboutBirds.org, Living Bird magazine, social media, and participatory science programs.

The Manager of Advertising & Brand Partnerships will cultivate high-impact relationships with mission-aligned companies and develop integrated brand partnerships that connect corporate partners with the Lab's global audience of birders, nature enthusiasts, and conservation supporters. This role goes beyond traditional advertising sales to build strategic partnerships that span the Lab's digital platforms, media channels, participatory science programs, and educational initiatives, and create lasting collaborations that help advance key conservation objectives.

While position responsibilities vary, all staff are expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by being trustworthy; respecting all individuals; being flexible; supporting work/life integration as well as healthy boundaries; inviting new ideas, alternatives, and perspectives; speaking up and taking action if others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and recognizing the contributions of others.

This is a full-time position at 100% FTE.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 2-3 days per week and on-site 2-3 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke, or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

About the Opportunity

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a globally recognized leader in conservation science and public engagement. Through innovative technology, media, and participatory science, the Lab connects millions of people with birds and the natural world.

This position offers the opportunity to shape and grow the Lab's corporate partnership portfolio by developing relationships with companies that share a commitment to conservation, science, and environmental stewardship. Working across the Lab's marketing, communications, and program teams, this role will design partnership opportunities that integrate sponsorship, advertising, storytelling, and program collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Partnership Development

• Identify and cultivate relationships with corporate partners aligned with the Lab's mission and audiences
• Develop proposals and partnership opportunities that integrate advertising, sponsorship, and brand collaboration
• Build and manage a pipeline of mission-aligned companies across sectors such as outdoor recreation, optics, technology, travel, and sustainability
• Cultivate long-term and multi-year partnerships that deliver shared value

Corporate Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for corporate partners and advertisers
• Manage partner relationships to ensure successful collaboration and long-term engagement
• Coordinate internally with Lab teams to deliver partnership programs and campaigns

Revenue & Partnership Growth

• Lead outreach, negotiation, and closing of advertising and sponsorship agreements
• Develop partnership packages leveraging the Lab's diverse communications channels
• Identify opportunities to expand and renew corporate partnerships

Internal Collaboration

• Work closely with marketing, communications, and program teams across the Lab
• Collaborate with colleagues managing sponsorships and partnerships to coordinate outreach and partner engagement

What Makes This Role Exciting

• Opportunity to build partnerships with a globally trusted conservation brand
• Work with one of the largest engaged audiences of nature enthusiasts in the world
• Develop creative collaborations across media, technology, and conservation programs
• Help connect mission-driven companies with meaningful environmental impact

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate brings both a relationship-driven approach and a strategic mindset, with the ability to develop long-term partnerships that align corporate goals with mission-driven impact. They are comfortable working across teams, building new opportunities from the ground up, and translating audience reach and brand value into meaningful collaborations.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree and relevant experience in partnerships, sponsorships, advertising sales, business development, or related fields

• Demonstrated ability to cultivate and manage relationships with corporate partners or clients

• Experience developing proposals or partnership packages

• Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills

Preferred

• Experience developing integrated brand partnerships or sponsorship programs

• Experience working with mission-driven organizations, media organizations, or outdoor brands

• Experience negotiating multi-channel advertising or sponsorship agreements

• Interest in conservation, science communication, or outdoor recreation

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement; the hybrid schedule will be determined at the time of hire.The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid or remote work arrangement at any time.

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.

• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: https://hr.cornell.edu/benefits-pay.

• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/your-total-rewards.

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