Detroit - Executive Director, Strategic Partnerships

Association of Pickleball Players; Detroit (MI); Remote; USD 125,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

The Association of Pickleball Players is seeking an Executive Director to lead strategic partnerships and drive revenue in the growing sport of pickleball. The ideal candidate will possess extensive sales experience, strong client relationships, and exceptional leadership skills. This full-time position, located in Detroit, offers a competitive salary with bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Paid parental leave

401(k) with company match

Qualifications

• Minimum of ten (10) years’ full-time experience in sponsorship, hospitality, and/or media sales.
• History of selling six- and seven-figure sponsorship agreements.
• Strong client-direct/agency network in the Detroit marketplace.

Responsibilities

• Prospect, pitch, and close six- and seven-figure sponsorship agreements.
• Mentor and manage a diverse team to achieve sales targets.
• Work effectively with cross-functional teams to ensure executional excellence.

Skills

Sponsorship sales

Hospitality sales

Media sales

Presentation skills

Client relationship management

Tools

PowerPoint

Word

Excel

Job description

Background

Location: work-from-home/must be located in the Detroit market

Type: Full-time, permanent position

Division: Strategic Partnerships

Reports to: Chief Revenue Officer

Overview

The Association of Pickleball Players | The APP Tour (APP) is dedicated to providing the best pickleball tournament experience for all. The APP, owned by Intersport, was founded in 2019 and serves professionals, senior professionals, and amateurs in the fastest growing sport in the country. The first and only tour officially sanctioned by USA Pickleball, the 2025 APP Tour slate boasts 19 tournament stops, in addition to Signature, International, and Collegiate Series events. The APP also prides itself on developing the next generation of champions through its Next Gen Series and other youth initiatives. You can view the 2025 Tour schedule here: https://www.theapp.global/tour

The Position

The APP is seeking to add a smart and driven Executive Director (ED) to its Strategic Partnerships team. The Executive Director will be responsible for generating revenue for the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) and will be the leader of the APP’s presence in Detroit. The right candidate will have proven success in a combination of sponsorship sales, hospitality sales, naming rights sales, ticket sales, and Pro-Am sales. Additionally, the ED must have relationships with key clients nationally, regionally and locally and have the ability to create new relationships among buyers, and a strong client-direct/agency network in the Detroit marketplace. A candidate must possess a consultative selling approach and be able to detail success in having sold six, and seven-figure sponsorship agreements.

Responsibilities

General

• Embody and reflects Intersport’s performance-based culture and commits him/herself and team to the highest standards for all work
• Work effectively with cross-functional teams to deliver executional excellence

Business Development

• Prospect, pitch, and close six- and seven-figure sponsorship and media agreements with clients and agencies locally, regionally and nationally

Team Management

• Apply a genuine eagerness to mentor, grow, and learn from a diverse and talented team
• Play a lead role to hire, and ultimately train select team members with responsibility for goal setting, feedback, and constructive guidance
• Potential team will consist of:
• Manager, Strategic Partnerships (sponsorship and hospitality sales)
• Coordinator, Partnership Marketing (sponsor management/servicing)

Salary and Benefits

The targeted salary range for this position is $125,000 to $175,000 and includes sales target bonuses.

This position includes medical, dental, vision, parental leave benefits and 401(k) with company match for qualified employees.

Qualifications

• Minimum of ten (10) years’ full-time experience in sponsorship, hospitality, and/or media sales
• Strong understanding of the sales process with a passion for pitching and closing new business
• Ability to detail a history of having sold numerous six- and seven-figure sponsorship, hospitality, and/or media sales agreements
• Ability to develop new relationships with sponsorship and/or media buyers
• Must have an strong client-direct/agency network of sponsorship marketing decision-makers in the Detroit marketplace
• Experience managing, training, and mentoring junior-level staff
• Exemplary verbal and written communication skills with high-level presentation ability
• Flexibility to work both independently and collaboratively in an entrepreneurial environment
• Proficiency in PowerPoint, Word, Excel

The APP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.