Director of Corporate Partnerships - Professional Sports Franchise

East 57th Street Partners; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading professional sports franchise is seeking a Director of Corporate Partnerships to drive strategic partnerships, manage key relationships, and enhance sponsorship opportunities. This role demands strong negotiation skills and a passion for sports, with a focus on maximizing partnership value and engagement.

Benefits

Competitive compensation package

Generous season-ticket allotment

VIP suite access

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in sponsorship sales or corporate partnerships.
• Demonstrated track record securing seven-figure partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive sponsorship strategy.
• Cultivate executive-level relationships with partners.
• Lead commercial negotiations and ensure compliance.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Analytical

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Sports Management

MBA or advanced degree

Job description

Director of Corporate Partnerships - Professional Sports Franchise

Director of Corporate Partnerships - Professional Sports Franchise

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Position: Director of Corporate Partnerships

On behalf of one of our clients, a major professional sports franchise, East 57th Street Partners’ Direct Hire Practice is seeking a strategic and relationship-driven Director of Corporate Partnerships to lead the development, management, and growth of the team’s key corporate relationships.

Location & Office Requirements

• Relocation: Candidate must relocate to the city where the franchise is headquartered.
• Office Presence: Full-time, in-office presence required.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Partnership Planning: Develop and execute a comprehensive sponsorship strategy across ticketing, in-venue experiences, digital channels, and community programs.
• Relationship Management: Cultivate and maintain executive-level relationships with current and prospective partners (corporations, media outlets, hospitality groups) to maximize mutual value.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Sales, Marketing, Community Relations, Game-Day Operations, and Finance teams to design and activate partnership deliverables—ranging from hospitality suites and branded content to community outreach.
• Contract Negotiation & Compliance: Lead commercial negotiations, draft and finalize sponsorship agreements, and ensure all deliverables meet or exceed contractual performance metrics.
• Proposal Development & Reporting: Create tailored partnership proposals, presentations, and post-season impact reports that quantify ROI, fan engagement metrics, and brand lift.
• Performance Monitoring: Establish and track KPIs—such as sponsorship revenue, activation attendance, digital engagement, and hospitality utilization—and provide regular insights to senior leadership.
• Industry Representation: Serve as a spokesperson at league events, trade shows, and networking functions to elevate the franchise’s corporate profile and uncover new revenue opportunities.
• Market Intelligence: Stay abreast of trends in sports sponsorship, fan experience technology, and competitive landscape to recommend innovative partnership models.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Sports Management, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in sponsorship sales, corporate partnerships, or business development within professional sports, entertainment, or a major consumer-brand environment.
• Demonstrated track record securing and growing seven-figure partnerships and delivering measurable ROI.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills—with comfort engaging C-suite executives and agency partners.
• Strong analytical ability to interpret performance data and translate insights into actionable recommendations.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, ticket-driven environment, balancing long-term strategy with tactical execution.
• Passion for sports and understanding of league regulations, fan demographics, and venue operations.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to innovate and adapt in a dynamic, high-visibility setting.

What Our Client Offers

• Competitive compensation package, including base salary and bonus structure tied to partnership performance
• Generous season-ticket allotment, VIP suite access, and premium game-day hospitality benefits
• Opportunity to shape and elevate the franchise’s brand alongside leadership and cross-functional teams
• Dynamic, team-oriented culture with professional development and networking opportunities within the sports industry
• Access to exclusive league events, community initiatives, and national sponsorship summits

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Director

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Other

• Industries

  Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals and Sports Teams and Clubs

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