Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or related field preferred.
5+ years of sports partnership sales experience with a proven track record.
Proficient in CRM systems and corporate technologies relevant to sports and entertainment.
Demonstrated ability to meet and exceed revenue goals through strategic partnerships.
Highly self-motivated with a competitive, results-oriented mindset.
Strong organizational and communication skills, capable of handling sensitive information.
Ability to prioritize tasks and manage a diversified workload effectively.
Responsibilities
Meet and exceed personal revenue goals through partnership sales for HSE brands.
Manage all phases of the new business development process from identification to closing.
Identify and qualify potential partners, conducting comprehensive needs analyses.
Collaborate with internal teams to create programming that aligns with client objectives.
Develop creative proposals that effectively communicate value propositions to partners.
Negotiate and close partnerships that enhance fan experiences and drive revenue.
Serve as the primary contact for prospective partners and host them at events.
Benefits
Full-time, benefit-eligible position.
Valuable benefits and competitive time off policies.
Commitment to a welcoming environment that celebrates diversity.
Full Job Description
The Partnership Development, Director is a vital role on the Partnerships team and is passionate about crafting innovative solutions for next-generation Hornets Sports & Entertainment (HSE) partners. HSE includes the NBA's Charlotte Hornets, NBA G-League's Greensboro Swarm, and managing and operating the region's premier sports and entertainment venue, the Spectrum Center.
This sales position is expected to have a strong national, regional and local contact list to increase the current growth opportunities in the vibrant Charlotte market.
Duties and Responsibilities
Meet (and exceed) all personal revenue goals through the development and sale of marketing partnerships for all HSE Brands.
Manage all phases of the new business development process (identification, research, outreach, qualification, needs analysis, brainstorms, proposal building, negotiation, and closing) for their individual pipeline.
Identify potential partners within assigned business categories and maintain prospect pipeline, initiate professional outreach and qualification of prospects to determine fit and capacity, and conduct comprehensive needs analysis to diagnose often-hidden marketing objectives and business goals.
Work cross-departmentally with internal stakeholders to create robust programming that leverages deep business insights to align with client objectives, communicate relevant brand attributes, and engage target markets.
Construct creative, customized, and comprehensive proposals that follow a compelling narrative with a value proposition that delivers on a potential partner's marketing objectives.
Build the partnership business case for new prospects. This includes leading and/or participating as appropriate in presentation building/scripting.
Successfully negotiate and close partnerships that will drive measurable and impactful results for partners, enhance the fan experience, and maximize revenue for the company.
Collaborate with business intelligence to optimally utilize available tools and resources, including but not limited to CRM software, audience and fan segmentation, lead generation and prospecting tools, sponsor impact studies, social media reporting, etc.
Serve as a primary point of contact for prospective partners.
Act as a host to prospects at a variety of events.
Compile, report, enter, collect, forecast, and track accurate account elements, billing fulfillment and contract information, as well as reports pertaining to proposals, contracts, budgets, and other account details into Tableau, KORE, and other data driven resources used by HSE.
Prepare documents as needed, including expense reports, account budgets, memos, letters, contracts, spreadsheets, and other traditional business tools
Support HSE's mission, vision and purpose.
Represent HSE and its related affiliates in a professional manner at all times.
Perform other related tasks as assigned.
Required Skills, Experience, and Abilities
To perform essential job functions, you should demonstrate the following competencies:
College degree in Business Administration, Marketing or related field from an accredited college or university (preferred).
5+ years of sports partnership sales experience with a tangible track record of success.
Proficient or ability to learn various corporate-based systems and CRM data driven technologies applied in today's sports & entertainment industry such as Microsoft Office Suite, KORE, etc.
Possess proven track record of meeting and exceeding revenue goals, selling and fostering sizable, long-term partnerships through a thoughtful, forward-thinking, structured, and focused approach to the market.
Highly self-motivated and goal-driven professional with a competitive, results-oriented mindset, demonstrating confidence, resilience, and the ability to proactively pursue objectives and outperform targets
Demonstrates a continuous pursuit of training and professional development, proactively strengthening partnership sales expertise, refining negotiation and relationship-building skills, and remaining current with industry trends to drive partner success
Strong organizational communications with high interpersonal skills to handle sensitive situations, and confidential information.
Ability to organize work effectively, conceptualize and prioritize objectives and exercise judgment based on an understanding of policies and activities.
Independent judgment to plan, prioritize and organize a diversified workload.
Ability to coordinate multiple tasks and projects.
Ability to demonstrate poise, tact and diplomacy, strong teamwork proficiency required.
Presents self in professional manner and have ability to interact with all levels of organization and outside contacts.
Required to sit, stand, walk, and reach.
Ability to occasionally lift, carry and/or drag up to twenty-five (25) pounds if necessary.
Flexibility to work necessary hours including evenings, weekends and holidays for games and events, as needed, and occasional travel is required.
Additional Information
This is a full-time benefit eligible position. HSE is dedicated to creating and upholding a welcoming environment that celebrates diversity.
HSE provides valuable benefits and competitive time off policies to help you and your family lead healthy, balanced lives.
About National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a men's professional basketball league in North America, composed of 30 teams. It is one of the four major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada, and is widely considered to be the premier men's professional basketball league in the world. The NBA was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in New York City. The league's revenue comes from ticket sales, merchandise, sponsorships, and media rights. The NBA has a global following and is broadcast in over 215 countries and territories.
