Senior Director, Partnership Development & Licensing

Churchill Downs Racetrack; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Restaurant d'entreprise

Indemnités de stage/alternance

Job summary

Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, KY seeks a Senior Director of Partnership Development & Licensing to lead the commercial strategy for partnerships and licensing across the Kentucky Derby and Oaks. You will own the full lifecycle from prospecting to renewals, driving revenue while protecting brand equity and delivering premium partner experiences.

The role requires a proven track record closing six- and seven-figure deals, strong leadership of cross-functional teams, and the ability to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Sports Administration, or related field; Master's degree preferred.
• Ten or more years of progressive experience in sports, entertainment, luxury, or experiential partnership sales with revenue and team leadership responsibility.
• Proven record of closing complex six- and seven-figure partnership agreements and achieving revenue goals.
• Experience directing an external licensing agency preferred.
• Established network of national and international senior business contacts.

Responsibilities

• Set and execute an integrated partnerships and licensing strategy that drives revenue growth while strengthening the premium positioning of Churchill Downs Racetrack, the Kentucky Derby, and the Kentucky Oaks.
• Own annual revenue plans, budgets, forecasts, pipeline health, category strategies, and performance reporting across sponsorship, renewals, licensing, and merchandising.
• Originate, cultivate, and close significant new partnership business through prospecting and senior-level executive engagement.
• Lead complex, multi-year partnership negotiations from proposal development through contract execution.
• Build a renewal and growth program focused on retention, upsell, and long-term partner value.
• Create premium, integrated partnership platforms across IP, media, hospitality, content, signage, experiential assets, and events.
• Develop solutions addressing partner objectives while enhancing guest experiences.
• Use measurement, recaps, and relationships to demonstrate value and strengthen partnerships.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver commercially sound programs and experiences.
• Lead licensing and merchandising portfolio, including licensee and vendor relationships and royalty performance.
• Provide strategic direction to external licensing agency and ensure compliance with agreements and brand standards.
• Identify collaborations and consumer-product opportunities that expand brand reach while protecting IP.
• Safeguard trademarks and IP in partnership with Legal and Brand teams.
• Recruit, coach, and develop high-performing Partnerships teams; direct external agencies and vendors.
• Represent Churchill Downs at industry events and serve as ambassador for its brands and vision.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Financial acumen

Negotiation

Executive relationship management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing/Business/Sports Administration

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Salesforce

DigiDeck

Job description

Title: Senior Director, Partnership Development & Licensing

Requisition ID#: 4850

Location:

Louisville, KY, US, 40208

Property: Churchill Downs Racetrack

Pay Range

Churchill Downs Racetrack ("CDRT"), the world’s most legendary racetrack, has been the home of The Kentucky Derby, the longest continually held annual sporting event in the United States, since 1875. Located in Louisville, CDRT features a series of themed race days during Derby Week, including the Kentucky Oaks, and conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in the Spring, September and Fall. CDRT is located on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, a stabling area, and provides seating for approximately 60,000 guests. The stable area has barns sufficient to accommodate 1,400 horses and a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel. CDRT also has a year-round simulcast wagering facility . www.ChurchillDowns.com.

Job Summary

The Senior Director, Partnership Development & Licensing is responsible for leading the commercial strategy for partnerships and licensing across Churchill Downs Racetrack, the Kentucky Derby, and the Kentucky Oaks. This role owns the full partnership lifecycle, including strategy, prospecting, sales, negotiation, activation, renewal, and measurement, while directing the licensing and merchandising portfolio. The Sr. Director is responsible for driving sustainable revenue growth, protecting iconic brand equity, and creating premium experiences that deliver value for partners, guests, and Churchill Downs Racetrack.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Partnerships Strategy & Revenue Growth

• Set and execute an integrated partnerships and licensing strategy that drives revenue growth while strengthening the premium positioning of Churchill Downs Racetrack, the Kentucky Derby, and the Kentucky Oaks.
• Own annual revenue plans, budgets, forecasts, pipeline health, category strategies, and performance reporting across sponsorship, renewals, licensing, and merchandising.
• Originate, cultivate, and close significant new partnership business through disciplined prospecting, established relationships, and senior-level executive engagement.
• Lead complex, customized, multi-year partnership negotiations from proposal development through contract execution.
• Build a disciplined renewal and growth program focused on retention, upsell, and long-term partner value.

Partnership Development & Activation

• Create premium, integrated partnership platforms across intellectual property, media, hospitality, content, signage, experiential assets, and year-round events.
• Develop solutions that address partner business objectives while enhancing the Churchill Downs Racetrack guest experience.
• Use measurement, recaps, marketplace intelligence, and executive relationships to demonstrate value and strengthen partner relationships.
• Collaborate across Ticketing, Marketing, Brand, Operations, Finance, Food & Beverage, Legal, and other teams to deliver commercially sound programs and exceptional partner experiences.

Licensing & Merchandising

• Lead the licensing and merchandising portfolio, including licensee and vendor relationships, category development, distribution opportunities, product quality, royalty performance, and retail marketing strategies.
• Provide strategic direction to the external licensing agency, establish growth priorities, review performance, and ensure compliance with agreements, policies, and brand standards.
• Identify culturally relevant collaborations and premium consumer-product opportunities that expand brand affinity and reach while protecting brand equity.
• Safeguard Churchill Downs Racetrack and Kentucky Derby trademarks and intellectual property in partnership with Legal, Brand, and agency resources.

Leadership & Management

• Recruit, coach, and develop a high-performing Partnerships, Activation, and Licensing organization with clear goals and accountability.
• Lead the day-to-day performance and professional development of Partnership Development and Licensing team members, including seasonal team members and interns as needed.
• Direct external agencies, consultants, and vendors supporting partnerships and licensing.
• Represent Churchill Downs Racetrack at major industry, business, and networking events and serve as an ambassador for its brands and commercial vision.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REGULATORY

• Comply with all applicable Churchill Downs Racetrack policies, procedures, safety requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Ensure partnership, licensing, intellectual property, and commercial activities are executed in accordance with applicable agreements, policies, brand standards, and legal requirements.

Education And Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Sports Administration, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• Ten (10) or more years of progressive experience in sports, entertainment, luxury, or experiential partnership sales, including significant revenue and team leadership responsibility.
• Proven record of closing complex six- and seven-figure partnership agreements and achieving ambitious revenue goals.
• Demonstrated experience leading licensing, consumer products, merchandising, retail, or related brand-extension programs.
• Experience directing an external licensing agency preferred.
• Established network of national and international senior business contacts relevant to the position.

Required Skills And Abilities

• Commercially driven strategist with strong financial acumen, disciplined forecasting, and the ability to translate iconic brand assets into sustainable revenue.
• Strong understanding of premium partnerships, licensing strategy, intellectual property stewardship, consumer products, and marketplace trends.
• Exceptional executive presence, negotiation, presentation, and C-suite relationship-management skills.
• Ability to develop partnership platforms that balance partner objectives, guest value, operational realities, and long-term brand equity.
• Strong leadership and coaching skills with the ability to establish accountability and mobilize cross-functional teams.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills with sound business judgment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with demonstrated professionalism, diplomacy, and a premium service mindset.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Salesforce, DigiDeck, or comparable platforms.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours during Derby season.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

This work is performed throughout Churchill Downs Racetrack. The employee will be required to sit for extended periods of time and may also be required to stand, walk, use hands to reach, handle or feel objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and talk or hear. The employee may occasionally be required to lift up to 20 pounds and may be required to work nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours. Some work areas may be noisy and subject to changing weather conditions. Churchill Downs Racetrack spans 175 acres and more than 1.5 million square feet under roof. The physical demands described are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.

Work With Us

Churchill Downs Incorporated is an inclusive and fun place to work. We celebrate unique approaches and points of view. We believe diversity is a mindset that drives excellence. We’re always learning, evolving and growing. We innovate through mutual respect of ideas and collaboration. This allows us to build a common language that inspires our team members and propels us toward the achievement of our vision.