Director of Institutional Partnerships & Business Development

The Texas Railway Preservation Association (TRPA) is seeking a high-impact Director of Institutional Partnerships & Business Development. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, you will be the primary architect of TRPA’s corporate and municipal growth strategy.

We are moving past the "Apple Garage" phase and into a period of major institutional scaling. We need a "Strategic Connector" who can identify and secure high-value partnerships with local corporations, government entities, and private developers. You are not just looking for donors; you are looking for Institutional Partners who want to be part of the most significant industrial heritage project in South Texas.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Growth Architecture: Develop and execute a multi-year business development plan focused on site acquisition, corporate sponsorships, and joint-venture educational programs.
• Corporate Outreach & Liaison: Act as the lead negotiator with Houston’s corporate sector (Energy, Tech, Logistics) to secure sponsorship deals that fund restoration sorties and headquarters development.
• Municipal & Government Relations: Serve as the primary point of contact for local city councils, economic development corporations, and transit authorities to align TRPA’s vision with regional growth.
• High-Level Relationship Management: Cultivate a "Founders' Circle" of stakeholders, ensuring that our partners see the tangible ROI of their association with the TRPA brand.
• Cross-Departmental Synergy: Work closely with the Director of Brand Strategy to create "Sponsorship Packages" that offer high-fidelity brand exposure for our partners.
• Revenue Diversification: Identify new business opportunities, such as corporate event hosting, location filming for the "Industrial Archive," and high-end collaborative product drops.

Professional Requirements

• Business Development Pedigree: Proven experience in corporate sales, institutional fundraising, real estate development, or government relations.
• The "Closer" Mindset: A track record of securing high-value contracts or partnerships; you are a master of the "long-game" negotiation.
• Executive Presence: Exceptional public speaking and presentation skills; you can command a boardroom and translate the TRPA vision into a compelling business case.
• Strategic Vision: The ability to see "the big picture"—you understand how a 1921 locomotive creates value for a 2026 tech firm or a local neighborhood.
• Mission Alignment: A fierce commitment to the TRPA legacy and the drive to see this organization become the premier destination for industrial education in Texas.

The TRPA Advantage

You are the bridge between the iron and the city. Working at the highest level of leadership, you have the autonomy to build the network that will fund the TRPA for the next century. This is an elite opportunity to leverage your professional network to build a physical and cultural legacy that will outlast us all.

Join the TRPA. Scale the Power.