Patronage Specialist

Background Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) is a not-for-profit institution that exhibits, collects, preserves, and researches contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora; conceives and hosts international exhibitions; develops supporting educational, discursive and enriching programmes; encourages intercultural understanding; and strives for access for all. The museums galleries feature rotating, temporary exhibitions with dedicated spaces for the permanent collection. The institution also includes the Centre for Art Education (CFAE), and the Atelier, a project space for emerging Cape Town-based artists. Our Mission At Zeitz MOCAA, we are committed to promoting artistic innovation, cultural exchange, and social dialogue. Through our exhibitions, programs, and initiatives, we aim to inspire creativity, foster critical thinking, and contribute to the cultural landscape of Africa and the world. Job Summary The Patronage Specialist supports the Museum Patronage Manager in executing the museums 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 museums 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 museums 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 museums 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 MOCAAs 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

This role requires an individual with strong leadership and mentorship skills. The ability to build strong relationships, good networking, strong sales, planning, organizing, conceptualizing, and directing a variety of projects simultaneously is essential. The individual must bring a high standard of work, good work ethics, deadline driven, well-developed oral and written communication, and engagement skills. Passionate about growing communities in support of contemporary African art. Ability to be resilient and remain calm under pressure.

What youll need to be successful in the role:

• 3-year bachelors 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

As a cutting-edge equal opportunity institution, Zeitz MOCAA celebrates diversity in all its forms including gender, race, creed, and orientation. Zeitz MOCAA is committed to Employment Equity and particularly welcomes applications from suitably qualified Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDIs) for this position.

Information :

• Company : Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
• Position : Patronage Specialist
• Location : Cape Town, Western Cape
• Country : ZA