This position reports to the Chief Revenue Officer with frequent interaction with Executive Team members as the senior partnership marketing/activation lead of an MLS Club. The overarching responsibility of this function is the retention and growth of sponsorship revenue. Key responsibilities include the management, coordination, and service of team’s core sponsorship inventory, including but not limited to: broadcast, signage, digital, hospitality, print, client promotions, team IP rights, special events, and CR programs. This position is on the senior management team and will have extensive interface with multiple business units, departments, and vendors.
The ideal candidate should possess at least five years of high level experience in a related field, such as Director or Senior Manager of Partnership Marketing for a major league sports team or entertainment event production company/promoter. The selected individual should also have provided service to sponsorship contracts successfully in his/her past ideally for at least five years. Applicants must be very organized and enthusiastic about the game of soccer and its future, the market, MLS Club, sponsorship in general, and relationship building. An individual with experience in different leagues and/or sports/entertainment settings is preferred.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Successfully fulfill existing and newly incoming corporate partner contracts
- Develop and maintain strong rapport with corporate partner contacts
- Oversee creation semi-annual Recap collateral
- Drive overall strategy with the CRO
- Recruit, hire, train and manage Partnership Marketing team members
- Liaise with MLS league officials on key business matters
- Represent the club at league meetings and other industry events
- Plan Corporate Partner trips through the lens of a high-end service professional
- Implement organized systems, process, and measurements to most effectively and efficiently manage this critical business function (i.e. – contact management, inventory management, metric analysis)
- Maintain communicative and collaborative working relationships with other internal departments
- Be an ambassador on behalf of the MLS Club in the community
- Self-motivate and motivate others
- Generate ideas and provide creative solutions
- Other projects as deemed necessary
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s Degree required
- Strong service management background in the area of major league team sports, marketing agencies, and/or major events (5+ years of experience preferred)
- Superior presentation skills. Easily presents in front of a group as well as in a more personal setting
- A proven strategic thinker who will embrace the sales process in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Experience with planning high-end client events and trips
- Open, accessible, outgoing, sales-oriented individual who develops and builds strong relationships with community, civic, and media entities
- Ability to develop and implement strategic, operational, and tactical business and marketing plans
- A strong understanding of the professional sports business, including the products, service expectations, importance of media and community relations
- Mature leadership abilities coupled with strong people development and organizational skills
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills. Must be a team builder and team player. Must have the ability to relate professionally to all levels of staff, management, clientele, suppliers, and media
- Strong customer service background
- Drive to succeed in high-paced, revenue generating field
- Strong time management and organizational skills
- Able to work non-traditional hours, in non-traditional settings, within a team atmosphere
- Handle multiple projects well
- Demonstrates flexibility and creative problem solving skills
- Ability to develop outstanding internal and external business relationships
- Strong understanding of business, marketing, and advertising principles
OUR PERKS
- Comprehensive benefits package including three medical options, vision, and dental coverage, including flexible spending & health savings accounts
- Pre-tax and Roth 401k (up to 4% is matched, after 90 days of service)
- Company-paid life insurance and disability
- Paid holidays and PTO days annually
- Wellness reimbursements through Independence Blue Cross
- Hybrid office schedule to allow remote work on Mondays and Fridays
- Summer Friday hours
- 50% merchandise discount
- Other league and partner discounts
- Complimentary or discounted tickets
- 24/7 state-of-the-art Fitness Center, locker rooms, and Sportsplex (opening in 2024)
- On-site Café with grab-and-go options, salad bar, and grill!
You must meet PA State background check requirements [PA Criminal, PA Child Abuse and FBI Fingerprint Check] at hire and every five years thereafter.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class. We strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds and experiences to apply.
