Sr. Manager, Corporate Partnership Development

Chicago Stars FC; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Vision and Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Life Insurance

Parental Leave

401(k)

Employee Discounts

Tickets to games

Job summary

Chicago Stars FC seeks a Sr. Manager, Corporate Partnership Development to drive revenue through bold corporate partnerships. This front-line sales leader blends relationship-building, strategic thinking, and creativity to deliver partnerships aligned with the club's ambition.

As the team enters a transformative era, this role helps shape partnerships for the club, fans, and city. Hybrid work in Chicago with base salary plus commission for sales performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited 4-year university.
• Minimum of 5 years direct corporate partnership/sponsorship sales responsibility.
• Ability to publish a list of business contacts for outreach.
• Strong communication, organization, and time management skills.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage a strong pipeline of partnership leads through outreach.
• Conduct needs analyses and discovery meetings for proposals.
• Lead proposal and negotiation through contract execution with cross-functional teams.
• Meet or exceed annual new business revenue targets.
• Transition new partners to Activation team for long-term success and renewals.
• Collaborate with VP, Partnerships and Marketing/Activation to grow revenue.
• Define budgets for implementing partnership agreements.
• Represent the brand at home matches, events, and market activations.
• Deliver strategic partnerships with measurable business impact for partners.

Skills

Partnership sales

Relationship management

Negotiation

Communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree

Sales or business degree

Tools

Salesforce

Nielsen Sports

YouGov

SponsorUnited

Photoshop

Job description

The Sr. Manager, Corporate Partnership Development, will serve as a front-line sales leader for the Chicago Stars FC, driving revenue growth through bold, innovative corporate partnerships. This role requires a dynamic blend of relationship-building, strategic thinking, and creativity to deliver partnerships that match the ambition of one of womens sports' fastest-rising clubs.

With the Chicago Stars FC entering a transformative era and the continued evolution of our facilities and footprint, this position offers the opportunity to help shape partnerships that will define the future of the club, our fans, and our city.

This role offers a competitive base salary. Eligible for commission based on sales performance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Build and manage a strong pipeline of partnership leads through outreach (email, LinkedIn, networking, event invitations, unique mailers, and industry involvement)
• Conduct in-depth needs analysis and discovery meetings that lead to building a comprehensive and solutions-based partnership proposal
• Lead the proposal and negotiation process from initial ideation through contract execution, collaborating cross-functionally to secure internal alignment
• Consistently meet or exceed annual new business revenue targets through strategic and innovative partnership development
• Seamlessly transition new partners to the Partnership Activation team, ensuring long-term success and renewals
• Collaborate with the VP, Partnerships, and Marketing/Activation teams to maximize category revenue opportunities and identify new areas for growth
• Negotiate key business terms and contracts with new partners
• Define expense budgets related to the implementation and execution of corporate partnership agreements
• Serve as a visible face of the Chicago Stars FC brand, hosting and showcasing partnership opportunities at home matches, events, and market activations
• Deliver strategic, forward-thinking partnerships that both elevate the Stars’ brand and create measurable business impact for partners
• Contribute to organizational strategy by identifying evolving trends in sports, entertainment, and consumer behavior to stay ahead of the curve

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors degree from an accredited 4-year university
• Minimum of 5 years of direct corporate partnership/sponsorship sales responsibility
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple initiatives simultaneously
• Strong oral, written, presentation, and communication skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to publish a list of business contacts and prospects to be sourced in partnership outreach
• Ability to work a non-traditional schedule to include evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree
• Bachelors degree in sales or business-related field from an accredited 4-year university
• A positive and collaborative professional who displays passion for their craft, an openness to learning, and a superior work ethic
• Sales experience with a sports property or league (sponsorships/partnerships experience preferred)
• Experience using market research tools such as Nielsen Sports, YouGov, SponsorUnited
• CRM experience (salesforce.com preferred)
• Photoshop proficiency

LOCATION/SCHEDULE

• Work hours are generally 9:00 am- 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday. Hybrid schedule
• Must have ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Primary office is in Chicago, may need to travel to other Chicago Stars FC locations in the Chicagoland area, if needed

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT CHICAGO STARS:

We offer competitive compensation packages and opportunities for professional growth within our organization.

• Medical Insurance, including FSA and HSA plan options
• Vision and Dental Insurance
• Accrued Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Life Insurance
• Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• 401(k) and employer match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts
• Employee Tickets
• Fun and Engaging Volunteer Opportunities

ABOUT US

Established in 2007, the Chicago Stars were a founding member of the former Womens Professional Soccer and later became one of the original eight teams to form the National Womens Soccer League in 2013. They are the longest continuously operating professional womens soccer team in the United States. The Chicago Stars have made the playoffs in seven consecutive years, from 2015-2021, while also competing in three championship matches in as many years, including the 2019 and 2021 NWSL Championships and the 2020 Challenge Cup Championship.

At Chicago Stars FC, we believe in the power of community. Our mission extends beyond the pitch as we strive to make a positive impact in the lives of our fans, players, and local organizations. With our partners, including Wintrust, we are committed to fostering connections, promoting inclusivity, and empowering individuals through the beautiful game of soccer.

We strive to support a diverse community where everyone feels valued, inspired, and empowered.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

We are an equal opportunity employer and place a high value on diversity and inclusion at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. We also make reasonable accommodations for applicants’ and employees’ religious practices and beliefs, as well as mental health or physical disability needs. If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the employment process, please email us at [e-mail].