Associate Account Manager - Sports

SwagUp Inc.; Troy (MI); Hybrid; USD 68,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Robust PTO

Vacation days

Benefits including medical

Job summary

BDA Inc. is seeking an Associate Account Manager to join our sales team. You will support the development and expansion of enterprise client accounts while helping the team hit quarterly budget goals.

In this role, you will focus on pre-sales activities, build industry knowledge, manage multiple client projects, and nurture client relationships. You'll collaborate with sales, marketing, and operations to deliver branded merchandise solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, business, or a related field.
• 1–2 years of experience in sales support, marketing, branded merchandise, or a related agency environment.
• Direct experience working for a sports team in a sales, marketing or branding capacity.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a client-first mindset.
• Meticulous attention to detail and high level of organization.
• Eagerness to learn and grow within a dynamic, sales-driven environment.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and adaptable to shifting priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook).
• Salesforce experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Sales to support account planning and execution.
• Assist in producing client presentations with creative merchandise ideas.
• Prospect for new buyers and opportunities within assigned accounts.
• Help develop and maintain accurate records of sales activity in Salesforce.
• Coordinate multiple client-facing projects (i.e.: pop up events), managing details like timelines, costs, logistics, and approvals.
• Educate and guide clients through BDA's order process, compliance, and production timelines.
• Ensure clear communication between clients and internal teams for a seamless experience.
• Log and track all sales and project/opportunity activity in Salesforce.
• Support in quoting, order status updates, and maintaining data accuracy.
• Gain deep knowledge of the branded merchandise industry and BDA’s product offerings.
• Attend industry events and customer meetings as needed to support account teams and increase exposure.
• Other duties as assigned by direct manager and/or sales leadership.

Skills

Communication skills

Client-first mindset

Detail-oriented

Organized

Self-motivated

Adaptable

Microsoft Office

Salesforce

Education

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business, or related field

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Most companies claim to have the best people. We say to them, "Keep dreaming." Our people are second to none. They set us apart with their entrepreneurial spirit and ambition. They come to us from the likes of Amazon, Microsoft, Nordstrom, Starbucks and the sports world, bringing energy, bold ideas and a willingness to dive into the unfamiliar. It’s our people that make BDA the top global Merchandise Agency to work for.

BDA brings the world’s biggest brands to life through promotional merchandise. Fortune 500 companies and major sports leagues and teams come to us looking to connect with their consumers on an emotional level. We create three-dimensional advertising that people invite into their homes, offices, cars and classrooms. We let people see, touch, feel, own and interact with a brand in a way no other marketing permits. It’s what we like to call the Power of Merchandise.

We give our team members the creative freedom and foster the entrepreneurial spirit necessary to champion our clients’ branding goals utilizing cutting-edge ideas. Our people are our No. 1 asset, and we remain committed to making our company a great place to work for our team and family.

We take great pride in our company culture—one that inspires teamwork, fun and excellence across our organization. We’re energetic people who love what we do—churning out more than 50 million units each year for the world’s most admired brands in a fun, fast-paced environment that rewards high achievement.

BDA is especially known for its deep partnerships with professional and collegiate sports organizations, major events, and sponsorship activations. We’re looking for candidates who understand the dynamics of the sports industry and have direct experience managing sponsorship-driven programs.

LOCATION:

• This role follows a hybrid schedule, with 4 days onsite and 1 day remote each week.
• To be considered, candidates must reside within commuting distance of one of BDA’s offices in Atlanta, GA; Indianapolis, IN; Troy, MI; Austin, TX; or Dallas, TX, as regular in-person collaboration is an essential part of the role.

Position Summary

The Associate Account Manager role is a foundational entry point into a career in sales at BDA. You will work closely with a high-performing Sales Team to support the development and expansion of key enterprise client accounts as well as be fully responsible for hitting at minimum your quarterly team budget goals. This position focuses on mastering pre-sales activities, building industry and product knowledge, managing multiple client projects, and learning how to generate and nurture client relationships.

As you grow in this role, you'll develop the skills and experience necessary to advance into a full account management or sales role within BDA. You’ll be part of a fast-paced, creative environment that connects clients to impactful branded merchandise solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Sales Support & Pre-Sales Activities (60%)

• Collaborate with Sales to support account planning and execution
• Assist in producing client presentations with creative merchandise ideas
• Prospect for new buyers and opportunities within assigned accounts
• Help develop and maintain accurate records of sales activity in Salesforce

Client & Project Coordination (20%)

• Coordinate multiple client-facing projects (i.e.: pop up events), managing details like timelines, costs, logistics, and approvals
• Educate and guide clients through BDA's order process, compliance, and production timelines
• Ensure clear communication between clients and internal teams for a seamless experience

CRM & Data Management (20%)

• Log and track all sales and project/opportunity activity in Salesforce
• Support in quoting, order status updates, and maintaining data accuracy

Industry & Sales Development

• Gain deep knowledge of the branded merchandise industry and BDA’s product offerings
• Understand supplier product mix, pricing structures, and margin strategies
• Attend industry events and customer meetings as needed to support account teams and increase exposure
• Other duties as assigned by direct manager and/or sales leadership

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business, or a related field
• 1–2 years of experience in sales support, marketing, branded merchandise, or a related agency environment
• Direct experience working for a sports team in a sales, marketing or branding capacity
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a client-first mindset
• Meticulous attention to detail and high level of organization
• Eagerness to learn and grow within a dynamic, sales-driven environment
• Self‑motivated, proactive, and adaptable to shifting priorities
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)
• Salesforce experience is a plus

We are pleased to share the base salary range for this position is $ 68,000 - $72,500. If you are hired at BDA, your compensation will be determined based on factors that may include geographic location, skills, education, and experience. In addition to these factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as a part of any offer. In the spirit of pay transparency, the range listed is the full base salary range for the role and hiring at the top of the range would not be typical, in order to allow for future salary growth. The range listed is just one component of BDA’s total compensation and rewards programs, which includes: robust PTO; vacation, a paid volunteer day, holidays and summer Fridays, Benefits; medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance, 401k; tuition reimbursement, mental health and financial wellness programs and professional development opportunities including tuition reimbursement. Certain revenue-generating positions may be eligible for incentive compensation.

BDA is more than a workplace - it's a family. For more than four decades we’ve promoted a vibrant and welcoming culture that not only accepts but demands you to be different. The quirky, the bold, the creative and the unique make up the foundation of a company that the most iconic brands in the world look to help tell their story through the power of merchandise.

BDA Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

For more information:

www.bdainc.com

For information about BDA's privacy policy for job applicants click here.

Must be 18 years or older to apply.