General Manager (San Jose State University)

Playfly Sports; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Playfly Sports is seeking a General Manager to lead the on-site San Jose State University Athletics partnership team in San Jose, CA.

You will develop and execute the property’s partnership strategy, drive new business, manage partner relationships, and oversee campaigns to meet annual revenue goals. This role collaborates with university leadership and Playfly Sports Properties, builds a strong local sales pipeline, and mentors the on-site team to deliver results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 6–8 years of direct sales experience in sports multi-media.
• 10 years of sales experience preferred.
• Experience leading a direct sales team.
• Proven ability to meet or exceed budget and revenue goals.
• Familiarity with KORE or similar CRM system.

Responsibilities

• Lead on-site partnership revenue efforts through new business, renewals, and growth.
• Develop and execute annual sales plans with targets and pipelines.
• Negotiate and close significant partnership agreements.
• Manage P&L, revenue forecasting, and budgets.
• Develop and mentor the on-site Playfly team.
• Collaborate with university leadership and Playfly leadership on inventory and pricing.

Skills

Sales leadership

Negotiation

Strategic planning

Prospecting

Relationship building

Communication

Budget management

Team development

Presentations

Sales forecasting

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

KORE CRM

Job description

GENERAL MANAGER, SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS PROPERTIES

San Jose, California

On-site

THE RUNDOWN

Playfly Sports is looking for a General Manager to join our team in San Jose, CA.

The General Manager will serve as the on-site leader for Playfly Sports at San Jose State University Athletics and will be responsible for executing Playfly’s strategy to generate and grow partnership revenue. This role will lead the sports property team, drive new business, maintain and maximize revenue opportunities from existing partner relationships, and oversee the development, sale, and execution of integrated partnership marketing campaigns.

The General Manager will work closely with the Athletics Director and senior athletics leadership, as well as Playfly Sports Properties leadership, to identify new revenue opportunities, develop strategic partnerships, strengthen and grow existing relationships, and build long-term relationships with regional and national brands. The General Manager will also be responsible for leading, managing, and developing the on-site Playfly Sports Properties team while ensuring the property meets or exceeds its annual revenue goals.

WHAT YOU’LL ACCOMPLISH

• Serve as Playfly Sports’ on-site leader, working closely with San Jose State Athletics leadership to develop and execute the property’s overall partnership strategy and achieve or exceed annual revenue goals.
• Lead all partnership revenue efforts for the property, including new business development, renewals, retention, and growth of existing partner relationships.
• Develop and execute an annual sales plan, including revenue targets, prospecting strategy, category development, renewal strategy, and pipeline management.
• Personally prospect, develop, negotiate, and close significant new and renewal partnership agreements with local, regional, and national brands.
• Maintain and maximize revenue opportunities from existing partner relationships by identifying opportunities to renew, expand, and deepen partnerships.
• Manage the property’s P&L, revenue forecasting, expenses, and budget performance to achieve or exceed EBITDA goals.
• Lead, manage, coach, and develop the on-site sales and partnership services team, establishing clear expectations, individual goals, accountability, and professional development.
• Build and maintain a strong working relationship with the Athletics Director, senior athletics leadership, coaches, university stakeholders, and other key campus constituents.
• Collaborate with Playfly Sports Properties leadership and San Jose State Athletics to develop partnership inventory, pricing, revenue projections, category strategies, and new revenue opportunities.
• Build and manage a robust sales pipeline by leveraging university relationships, networking, referrals, research, and consistent prospecting of local, regional, and national companies.
• Develop compelling partnership marketing campaigns, presentations, and proposals based on research, category dynamics, audience insights, and a thorough understanding of each prospective partner’s business and marketing objectives.
• Lead a consultative sales process that identifies partner objectives and connects those objectives to customized San Jose State Athletics assets and marketing solutions.
• Draft, negotiate, and manage partnership agreements in coordination with Playfly Sports Properties, university leadership, and legal teams.
• Cultivate strong relationships with current and prospective partners through meetings, events, hospitality, networking, and other relationship-building opportunities.
• Ensure existing partners receive a high level of service, fulfillment, communication, and measurement, including annual partnership recaps and renewal planning.
• Oversee the property’s audio and broadcast platform, including digital distribution and management of broadcast talent and related partners.
• Develop a strong understanding of Playfly Sports’ broader capabilities and business units to identify cross-functional solutions, new categories, leads, and incremental revenue opportunities.
• Stay current on the sports marketing and partnership landscape, including industry trends, emerging categories, competitive properties, market conditions, and new revenue opportunities.
• Represent San Jose State University, San Jose State Athletics, and Playfly Sports professionally and in alignment with each organization’s standards and values.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 6-8 years of direct sales experience in the sports multi-media environment required
• 10 years of experience in a sales role preferred
• Experience managing a team of direct reports
• Proven ability in managing, meeting & exceeding budget & revenue goals
• Familiarity with KORE or similar CRM system
• Strong experience and understanding of integrated and “conceptual” sales
• Ability to generate and present ideas and concepts succinctly and provide creative solutions to prospects/clients
• Outstanding verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrated professional sales presentation skills
• Must be driven and coachable to execute the Playfly Sports Properties revenue model and to understand the distinctive relationship with university Athletics

TRAVEL, LIFTING, PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be available for game days and evening athletic events and coaches shows
• Must be available to travel for client presentations
• Must be able to work nights and weekends around sporting events

COMPENSATION

Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience, certifications, and specific work location. This may be different in other locations due to differences in the cost of labor.
The base pay range for this role is: $130,000 — $140,000 USD

WHAT WE DO

Playfly Sports is the full-service, leading sports marketing and media company that enables brands to engage with sports fans on a local, regional, and national level through scaled linear, digital, and experiential assets. Playfly Sports drives outcome-based solutions into 90-million households via more than 7,800 live U.S. broadcasts of MLB, NBA, and NHL games; and influences sports fans of all ages through the management of college and high school multimedia rights, uniform branding, and high-profile sports sponsorship platforms. Playfly Sports has the unique ability to partner, innovate, and advance the aspirations of athletes, brands, academic institutions, and sports fans across the U.S. Playfly Sports is Powered by Partnership. Visit Playfly Sports online at playfly.com

WHAT WE STAND FOR

At Playfly, we know that a diverse, equitable, and inclusive company is a more innovative and successful one, but more importantly, we believe it’s just the right thing to do. Through conversations, company initiatives, community events and partnerships, policy changes, data analysis, workshops, and support groups, we are dedicated to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. We are here for the long haul and to do the meaningful work that creates true institutional change within our workplace, with our partners, and in the communities we serve.

EEOC & DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Playfly Sports affirms that inequality is detrimental to our associates, our clients, and the communities we serve. Our goal is to impact lasting change through our actions. Together, we unite for equality and equity. Playfly Sports is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of any protected characteristic, including race, color, genetic information, creed, national origin, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, lawful alien status, ancestry, age, marital status, or protected veteran status and will not discriminate against anyone on the basis of a disability. We support an inclusive workplace where associates excel based on personal merit, qualifications, experience, ability, and job performance.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Playfly Sports is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals, and as part of this commitment, Playfly Sports will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail] .

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this role at this time

Equal Opportunity Employer
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