Championships & Partnerships DirectorWork Mode: Onsite
Location:Onsite - Kohler, WI
OpportunityThe Director - Golf Championships and Partnerships leads the strategic planning, execution, and relationship management for Kohler-hosted, owned, and sponsored golf events. This role also oversees golf-related brand and event partnerships that support Kohler Golf's long-term business objectives, championship pipeline, and position as a premier destination in the golf industry.
This position requires close coordination with internal resort, marketing, legal, finance, operations, and executive leadership teams, as well as external governing bodies, sponsors, vendors, community partners, and brand collaborators.
Specific ResponsibilitiesChampionships:
- Oversee the strategic planning and execution of Kohler-hosted, sponsored, and owned golf events, including the 2025-2029 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championships, 2028 U.S. Amateur, 2032 Solheim Cup, 2033 U.S. Junior Amateur, and 2037 U.S. Junior Girls' Amateur.
- Serve as a key representative of Kohler Golf within the championship market. Support Kohler leadership in fostering relationships and securing future championship opportunities.
- Monitor championship industry trends and recommend adjustments to Kohler Golf's strategic plan, including opportunities to pursue, host, sponsor, or create future championship events.
- Leverage championships to reinforce Kohler Golf's position as a premier golf destination.
- Maintain a detailed championship calendar and ensure timely communication of events to all stakeholders.
- Explore opportunities for Kohler-owned championships with distinctive formats that strengthen the Kohler Golf brand and create meaningful guest, partner, and community engagement.
Partnerships: - Manage and foster relationships with strategic partners, including PGA of America, USGA, PGA Tour, Malbon, Melin, Peter Millar, Rolex, Titleist, TaylorMade, AMEX, Callaway, Black Girls Golf, and The First Tee.
- Develop and maintain a five-year partnership strategy aligned with Kohler Golf's strategic plan. The strategy should define partnership categories, target partners, partnership objectives, budget requirements, key markets, and success metrics.
- Manage golf influencer targeting and planning, including the creation of distinctive event experiences with appropriate brands, partners, and personalities. Evaluate the impact of influencer activity on brand perception, audience engagement, and event participation.
- Monitor partnership and influencer trends within the golf, hospitality, lifestyle, and luxury brand sectors. Recommend adjustments to Kohler Golf's partnership strategy based on market opportunities, audience relevance, and brand alignment.
- Leverage partnerships to reinforce Kohler Golf's position as a premier golf destination.
- Represent Kohler Golf and the resort at industry events, conferences, championships, partner meetings, and other strategic relationship-building opportunities.
- Act as the primary point of contact for golf partnership inquiries and negotiations.
- Maintain a detailed partnership calendar and ensure timely communication of events to all stakeholders.
Financial Managment:- Create and manage annual budgets, forecasts, and operating expenses. Manage individual event revenues and expenses.
- Develop and maintain clear success metrics for all championship and partnership events, including financial performance, partner value, brand impact, guest experience, and long-term strategic contribution.
- Identify opportunities to increase revenue through partnerships and sponsorships.
- Provide financial reports and updates to senior leadership.
Leadership:- Identify and lead internal championship teams for selected events, including executive steering committees, chairpersons, vice chairs, and committee chairs. This structure will support coordinated planning and successful execution of Kohler-hosted and Kohler-sponsored events.
- Lead cross-functional teams across Kohler organizations to ensure alignment, accountability, and support for championship and partnership activities.
Skills/Requirements - Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, hospitality,sports management, or a related field.
- PGA Membership preferred.
- Ten or more years of experience in hospitality sales,marketing, partnership management, championship operations, or related roles ofincreasing responsibility, with a demonstrated track record of results.
- Strong leadership and organizational skills, with theability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Proven ability to develop, negotiate, activate, andmanage strategic partnerships.
- Previous people leadership experience preferred.
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Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.We believe in supporting you from the moment you join us, which is why Kohler offers day 1 benefits. This means you'll have access to your applicable benefit programs from your first day on the job, with no waiting period. The salary range for this position is $113,150 - $175,150. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate's experience, their education, and the work location. In addition, this position is eligible for a performance bonus/variable incentive compensation.
