Director of Partnerships | Full-Time | Erie Events

Oak View Group; Erie (Erie County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental and Vision Insurance

401(k) Savings Plan

401(k) matching

Paid Time Off (vacation, sick days, 11

Job summary

Oak View Group seeks a Director of Partnerships to drive revenue through integrated sponsorships and premium seating for Erie Events venues. Reporting to the Global Partnerships head, you will manage a local team, build new corporate partnerships, and oversee fulfillment of sponsorship contracts.

The role requires 5–7+ years in sales within sports or media, strong negotiation and presentation skills, and the ability to work non-traditional hours including events and weekends.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• 5–7+ years in sales with emphasis on major league sports, media, or sponsorships.
• Proven record of developing strategic corporate partnerships and meeting sales targets.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage sponsorship sales and premium seating for Erie Events venues.
• Lead and mentor the local partnerships team to achieve revenue goals.
• Identify new sponsorships, naming rights, and premium seating partners.
• Prospect, cold call, and secure appointments with potential clients.
• Present proposals to clients and manage contract fulfillment.
• Collaborate with Operations and Marketing to deliver superior client service.

Skills

Sponsorship sales

Strategic partnerships

Negotiation

Sales forecasting

Team leadership

Communication

CRM proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Salesforce/KORE (CRM)

Job description

Oak View Group

Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services, with a platform spanning venue development and end-to-end capabilities across venue management, hospitality, and sponsorship sales. Founded in 2015, the company serves a collection of seven world-class owned venues and a client roster of the most iconic arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions, spanning four continents.

Oak View Group

Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services, with a platform spanning venue development and end-to-end capabilities across venue management, hospitality, and sponsorship sales. Founded in 2015, the company serves a collection of seven world-class owned venues and a client roster of the most iconic arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions, spanning four continents.

Position Summary

This Director of Partnerships will be responsible for generating revenue from local, regional, and national companies through the sale of integrated sponsorships, naming rights partnerships, and premium seating for the Erie Events properties. This position will serve as the department head for local operations and be responsible for managing a team of sellers, driving revenue through both partnerships and premium seating. Compensation will consist of base salary plus sales commissions. This position will be responsible for achieving measurable financial results.

This role pays an annual salary of $65,000 - $75,000 and is commission eligible.

Benefits for Full-Time roles

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• 401(k) matching
• Paid Time Off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays)

This position will remain open until December 25, 2026

About The Venue

This position on our Global Partnerships team operates on behalf of Erie Events and includes the Erie Insurance Arena, Warner Theatre, Bayfront Convention Center, and the Rebich Investments Amphitheater and is based in Erie, PA.

Responsibilities

• Work with VP of OVG Global Partnerships (East region) to develop a strategic plan to drive revenue for the venues.
• Collaborate with regional OVG properties to cross-sell Erie Events assets to established OVG partners in the region.
• Responsible for establishing new sponsorships, naming rights, and premium seating partners to achieve annual revenue goals.
• Conduct cold calls as a way of securing appointments to sell to new prospects.
• Analyze specific marketing needs of prospects based on partner objectives, market strategies, category potential, activation potential and financials.
• Support and work closely with regional management and on-site local management.
• Effectively present proposals in front of individuals and large groups.
• Develop meaningful business relationships with existing and potential sponsors.
• Significantly grow the venue’s corporate sales and premium seating business.
• Work closely with the Operations and Marketing teams to ensure that current clients receive superior service and fulfillment of each contract.
• Develops sales action plans to ensure hitting budget goals.
• Prospect, sell, cultivate, and maintain the corporate sponsorships for the venue in both new and renewal business.
• Oversee and/or execute all aspects of corporate partnership fulfillment.
• Work with outside agencies to get all corporate partnership signage created and placed.
• Create annual recaps for corporate partners, when applicable.
• Service all corporate sponsorships through various means, including direct contact, newsletters, corporate partner gatherings, etc.
• Create new client initiatives to better serve the corporate partners.
• Design of sales proposals and presentations for potential corporate partners.
• Work and attend events, promotions, and OVG Corporate Sales events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent training & experience.
• 5-7+ years of sales experience with emphasis in major league team sports, larger market media (TV, radio), and/or sponsorship sales.
• Proven track record of developing and managing highly strategic corporate partnerships; strong prospecting, analytical, presentation, and communication skills.
• Proven success in establishing and meeting challenging sales objectives in a high-profile, competitive marketplace.
• Comfortable managing tight deadlines and meeting aggressive sales goals and expectations.
• Strong professional relationship skills; Ability to establish and maintain long-term strategic relationships with corporate clients, direct reports, and co-workers.
• Must be a skilled negotiator with the ability to effectively represent the standards and philosophy of the department.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Experience with Salesforce/KORE (CRM) is preferred
• Able to work non-traditional hours, in non-traditional settings.
• Must be highly self-motivated and adept at working both independently and as part of a team.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work nights, all events, weekends, and events and holidays as required.

Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.