Executive Director, Strategic Partnerships - Detroit

Intersport; Detroit (MI); Remote; USD 125,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the sports industry is seeking an Executive Director for Strategic Partnerships based in Detroit. This full-time position entails driving revenue through high-value sponsorship sales and managing a talented team, while fostering key relationships in the local market. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in similar sales roles and possess extensive networks within the industry, demonstrating a consultative approach to selling.

Benefits

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Parental leave

401(k) with company match

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in sponsorship, hospitality, and media sales.
• Proven ability to close six- and seven-figure agreements.
• Strong client/direct agency network in the Detroit market.

Responsibilities

• Generate revenue through sponsorship and media agreements.
• Lead and mentor the Strategic Partnerships team.
• Prospect, pitch, and close significant deals.

Skills

Sponsorship sales

Hospitality sales

Media sales

Client relationship management

Team management

Presentation skills

Tools

PowerPoint

Word

Excel

Job description

Executive Director, Strategic Partnerships - Detroit

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)

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

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.


The APP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

What's your citizenship / employment eligibility?*

LinkedIn Profile URL:*

Do you have a minimum of ten (10) years of full-time professional experience in sponsorship and related sales?*

Are you able to detail a history of having sold numerous six- and seven-figure sponsorship sales agreements?*

Are you located in the Detroit marketplace?*

Do you have a strong and demonstrable client-direct/agency network of sponsorship marketing decision-makers in the Detroit marketplace?*