Manager, Corporate Development Full Time

Opening in September 2026, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is dedicated to illustrated storytelling. Founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the museum’s collection features works by artists including Norman Rockwell, Kadir Nelson, Jessie Willcox Smith, N. C. Wyeth, Beatrix Potter, Judith F. Baca, Frida Kahlo, and Maxfield Parrish; as well as comic art legends such as Winsor McCay, Jack Kirby, Frank Frazetta, Alison Bechdel, Chris Ware, and R. Crumb; and photographers Gordon Parks, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Dorothea Lange. The Museum also houses the Lucas Archives, containing models, props, concept art, and costumes from Lucas’s filmmaking career.

Designed by Ma Yansong of MAD with a landscape by Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA, the Museum is in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, on an 11-acre campus that includes new green space and a 300,000-square-foot building with galleries, two theaters, a library, restaurant, café, retail store, and community spaces. 

Position Summary

The Manager, Corporate Development is a critical part of the museum’s Revenue & Engagement function. Reporting to the Director of Institutional Development, the position involves identifying, nurturing, and securing corporate revenue streams to support the museum’s mission. The manager will strategically lead initiatives, manage a pipeline, develop proposals, and coordinate stewardship efforts. This role will help build the engine for how we engage the business community, launching our inaugural corporate membership and sponsorship programs from the ground up. This isn’t just about fundraising; it’s about creating deeply integrated experiences, curating group tours and high-impact campaigns, that make the museum an essential partner for companies and their employees. This position serves as both a primary external ambassador to the business community and an internal architect, responsible for building the operational systems, benefit delivery, and reporting frameworks that will define our corporate program.

Responsibilities

Strategic Program Development & Systems Architecture

• Partner with the Director to develop and document internal workflows, CRM structures, and benefits procedures to launch and scale the corporate revenue program
• Lead the beta phase of the corporate development program, testing and refining benefit structures and digital delivery systems based on real-time partner feedback
• Collaborate extensively across museum departments, including Leadership, Curatorial, Marketing, Finance, Membership, and Visitor Services to ensure operational readiness
• Work closely with the special events and catering teams to maximize earned revenue through corporate events and hospitality

Relationship Management

• Develop comprehensive proposals, working with partners to align museum initiatives with their CSR and ESG goals
• Serve as the primary contact for a portfolio of corporate partners, strengthening relationships through consistent communication, high-touch hospitality, access, and VIP experiences
• In partnership with Revenue & Engagement teams, support the execution of multi-channel activations pertaining to corporate across print, digital, and in-person experiences

Renewals, Reporting, and Growth

• Monitor and report on fundraising progress and adjust strategies as necessary to meet revenue goals
• Provide data-driven reporting to partners that translates their support into measurable impact to drive renewals and deeper engagement
• Align new fundraising opportunities with the museum’s priorities and mission, pursuing growth opportunities by upselling memberships and refining programs based on partner feedback

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Communications, Hospitality, or related field
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in corporate engagement, account management, or strategic partnerships, with a proven track record in either private or nonprofit sectors
• Proven ability to build new programs or operational workflows from the ground up, with a focus on iterative design and “B2B” (business-to-business) product delivery
• Proven track record of managing high-profile partnerships, with specific experience executing experiential activations, hospitality programs, or multi-channel marketing campaigns
• Demonstrated ability to build operational systems and infrastructure from the ground up, with the capacity to manage multiple deadlines and shifting priorities.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with a focus on executive-level communication and relationship management
• Ability to use CRM tools (such as Tessitura) to track engagement, gather data, and communicate clear ROI to partners

Core Competencies

Analytical Rigor: Simplifies complex problems by using critical thinking to evaluate problems, gathering information, incorporating multiple perspectives, understanding causes, and identifying best-possible solutions. Invests time in planning, discovery, and reflection to drive better decisions and more efficient implementations. Adopts an audience-centric approach, understanding the needs of the audience and incorporating them, as appropriate, into the decision.

Courageous Communication: Intentionally works well with others both on the team and cross functionally to achieve individual, team, department, or organizational goals. Values diverse input and working with others as a way to achieve the best output possible.

Collaborative Excellence: Displays courage when handling difficult conversations and genuinely and intentionally communicates. Relays key messages effectively, targeted to specific audiences. Identifies others’ communication styles and perspectives, adjusting language and approach accordingly. Employs active listening to understand, rather than reply. Asks for, integrates,and values feedback from team, peers, and leaders.

Adaptive Resilience: Thrives and grows in a rapidly changing and complex environment. Displays flexibility, activates networks, and adopts a continuous growth mindset to learn from mistakes and bounce back from adversity.

Inclusive Interaction: Actively contributes to an environment in which all employees feel a sense of belonging, valued for their differences and empowered to participate and contribute freely.

Building Trust & Relationship Management

• Accountable Ownership and clearly shares information and the “why” behind decisions.
• Asks for and values the opinions of others. Displays empathy when listening.
• Acknowledges when trust has been broken and focuses on rebuilding.
• Relates comfortably with people across levels, functions, cultures, and geographies. Identifies interpersonal and group dynamics and reacts effectively.

Accountable Ownership

• Takes ownership of outcomes, positive or negative, without blaming others within the team or cross-functionally.
• Recognizes when they are not approaching a situation with accountability but instead with a blame mindset.
• Takes accountability for assigned tasks and executes on deliverables in a timely manner.

Strategic Alignment & Execution

• Contributes to the organization by understanding and aligning actions with the organization’s goals, core functions, needs, and values.
• Seeks out and incorporates multiple perspectives, experiences, and industry trends to develop a holistic perspective. Operationalizes ideas within the business model.
• Displays critical thinking when faced with a challenge by asking probing questions and looking for connections.

$116,400 – $139,700 a year

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND OUR COMMITMENT TO DEAIB

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents and supports a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. The Lucas Museum fosters a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, whether based on race, national origin, gender, gender expression, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our team is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the best qualified people from a diverse candidate pool. Applications from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged.

The statements in this description represent typical elements, criteria, and general work performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the job.

MISSION AND VISION

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is dedicated to the art of illustrated stories. Our mission is to inspire and connect people through the exploration of visual stories and their influences in society.

VALUES

Our internal and external practices are shaped by the following beliefs and behaviors.

People First: We meet people wherever they are (physically, intellectually, emotionally). Our inclusive practice connects who people are and what they find emotional in works of art.

Inspired: We believe that art can move you to feel, think, reflect, and act.

Collaborative: We believe that nimble thinking and working together yield exponential results.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Narrative Art

Amplify the social impact of storytelling and illustration.

Community

Connect to a broad and diverse public.

Operational Excellence

Create a healthy and durable institution.

All staff at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art lead through a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both within the Museum and with the communities that we serve.

Salary and titles will be assigned commensurate to the successful candidates’ education and experience. An attractive compensation package will be offered to the successful candidate(s).