Director of Partnership Activation

confidential; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus structure

Health, dental & vision insurance

Paid vacation

401(k) plan

Job summary

Indianapolis Indians seek a Director of Partnership Activation to oversee activation planning and delivery across digital, in-game, and on-site platforms. You will manage a team and serve as the primary liaison to corporate partners, delivering measurable value and strong ROI.

You will lead activation strategies, ensure timely execution, and collaborate with marketing, operations, and ticket sales to integrate fan engagement. A dynamic, results-driven leader is ideal.

Qualifications

• The role requires 3+ years in partnership activation or sports marketing.
• Proven ability to coordinate multiple sponsorship activations under tight deadlines.
• Strong ability to build and maintain relationships with corporate partners and internal teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for internal and external audiences.
• Experience planning activations across digital, on-site, and in-game platforms.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of partner activations; ensure contractual obligations are met and exceeded.
• Lead the Partnership Activation team in daily activities and development.
• Serve as the main contact for assigned partners to foster long-term relationships.
• Develop activation strategies aligned with partner objectives and brand.
• Lead on-site activations, in-game promotions, and hospitality experiences.
• Analyze outcomes and share ROI insights with partners.
• Collaborate with marketing, operations, and ticketing teams to integrate activations.
• Identify partnership enhancements and renewal opportunities.
• Ensure activations comply with league regulations and brand standards.
• Maintain documentation of activities, timelines, and status in CRM.

Skills

Partnership activations

Sponsor management

Relationship building

Project leadership

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, sports management, or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Director of Partnership Activation

Reports to: Senior Director of Sales

Direct reports: Partnership Activation Coordinators

Location: Indianapolis, IN

Status: Full-time, Exempt

Position Summary

The Partnership Activation Director is responsible for ensuring the seamless execution and fulfillment of corporate partnership agreements, enhancing partner engagement, and delivering measurable value to brand collaborators. This role serves as the primary liaison between corporate partners and the Indianapolis Indians, overseeing activation planning, contract fulfillment, and strategic implementation of partnership assets across digital, in-game, and on-site platforms.

The Director also oversees the Partnership Activation Coordinators, ensuring timely, consistent, and high-quality execution of all Indianapolis Indians partnership commitments. The Partnership Activation Director plays a vital role in maintaining strong partner relationships, driving activation ROI, and elevating the overall fan and partner experience. The ideal candidate is a dynamic leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about building relationships and delivering best-in-class service.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of partner activations, ensuring contractual obligations are met and exceeded through flawless execution and service delivery.
• Oversee the day-to-day activities and professional development of Partnership Activation team, ensuring consistent execution and fulfillment of all corporate partnership deliverables.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned corporate partners, fostering long-term relationships through proactive communication, responsiveness, and value delivery.
• Develop and implement creative activation strategies that align with partner objectives and the Indians’ brand, leveraging digital, in-venue, and experiential platforms.
• Lead on-site activations, in-game promotions, hospitality experiences, and special events to ensure seamless execution and an elevated partner experience.
• Analyze activation outcomes and deliver insights and metrics to partners to demonstrate ROI and shape renewal conversations.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, operations, and ticket sales teams to integrate partnership activations into broader fan engagement strategies.
• Identify and recommend partnership enhancements and contribute to renewal efforts by presenting expansion opportunities that add measurable value.
• Ensure that all activations are executed in compliance with league regulations, brand standards, and partnership best practices.
• Maintain accurate documentation of partnership activities, timelines, and status updates using internal tracking systems and CRM tools.
• Represent the organization with professionalism and enthusiasm during public events, client meetings, and on game days.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, sports management, or a related field
• 3+ years of experience in partnership activation, sponsorship management, or sports marketing, preferably within the sports or live entertainment industry
• Strong ability to build and maintain positive relationships with corporate partners, internal teams, and external stakeholders
• Proven experience in coordinating multiple sponsorship activations, ensuring flawless execution under tight deadlines
• Familiarity with live event operations, including managing sponsor activations, in-game promotions, and hospitality experiences
• Ability to assess partnership performance, interpret data, and develop insights for sponsor recaps and renewals
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present ideas and results effectively to internal and external audiences
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment, demonstrates strong attention to detail, and proactively finds solutions to challenges

Compensation

• Salary, bonus structure (when eligible)
• Benefits include paid vacation, 401(k) plan (when eligible) and health, dental and vision insurance

About the Indianapolis Indians

The Indianapolis Indians are the professional Triple-A baseball club affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. In continuous operation since 1902, the organization believes in creating affordable and memorable experiences for fans so they can grow closer together with family, friends, and the community through the game of baseball. The Indians play their home games at Victory Field, a 13,000-seat ballpark located in downtown Indianapolis and White River State Park. The venue opened in 1996 and has received numerous national accolades as one of the best minor league ballparks in the United States. The team has led Minor League Baseball in combined total attendance over the past 15 seasons. In 2018, the organization was recognized as Ballpark Digest Team of the Year. It was also named a 2019 Best Places to Work by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.