Sr. Manager, Partnership Development

Columbus Blue Jackets; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Columbus Blue Jackets are seeking a corporate partnerships sales professional to drive revenue through sponsorships and premium seating programs.

You will cultivate relationships with local, regional and national decision-makers, tailor hospitality solutions, and collaborate with internal teams to deliver measurable ROI for partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required, with 4-5 years in sports/entertainment or related sales experience.
• Experience selling corporate partnerships/sponsorships.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Annually secure and renew long-term sponsorship and premium seating partnerships.
• Build relationships with decision-makers at local, regional and national companies.
• Conduct sales conversations via inbound/outbound calls, meetings, presentations, and events.
• Develop marketing and hospitality solutions that align with partner objectives and ROI/ROO.
• Qualify leads and maintain an active pipeline of opportunities.
• Provide forecasting and management reporting data.
• Collaborate with ticketing, marketing, communications, community development, and game operations to identify revenue opportunities.
• Attend home games and events to fulfill partnerships and engage with partners.

Skills

Sales skills

Consultative selling

Relationship building

Communication

Industry knowledge

Achievement orientation

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Summary

Generate corporate sales revenue through marketing partnerships and premium seating sales.

Summary

Generate corporate sales revenue through marketing partnerships and premium seating sales.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Annually secure and renew long-term sponsorship and premium seating partnerships.
• Build and strengthen relationships with key decision-makers among local, regional and national companies by fostering trust and collaboration.
• Conduct sales conversations with key decision-makers via inbound and outbound phone calls, meetings, presentations, Nationwide Arena tours, and other effective means.
• Develop fresh, innovative and forward-thinking marketing and hospitality solutions that align with the partner's business objectives and the core culture of the Blue Jackets organization to deliver tangible Return on Investment (ROI) and Return on Objectives (ROO).
• Effectively qualify leads and maintain an active pipeline of potential business opportunities.
• Provide accurate and reliable reporting information to be used in forecasting and management updates.
• Collaborate with ticketing, marketing, communications, community development, game operations/event presentation departments to identify untapped revenue opportunities.
• Attend home games and special events to ensure fulfillment of partnerships and to entertain and engage with current and prospective partners.

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Sales Skills - Achieves sales goals and is comfortable selling partnerships with six-figure annual spends; overcomes objections with persuasion and persistence; initiates new contacts; maintains customer satisfaction.
• Consultative Selling - Qualifies potential customers; builds rapport and establishes trust; asks questions to discover client business needs; applies product and market knowledge effectively; presents solutions that meet customer objectives; manages and documents sales process.
• Communications - Expresses ideas and thoughts in written and oral form; exhibits good listening and comprehension; selects and uses appropriate communication methods.
• Job Knowledge - Keeps abreast of current developments in the sports sponsorship landscape; displays understanding of how job relates to others.
• Achievement Focus - Sets and achieves challenging goals; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; measures self against standard of excellence; recognizes and acts on opportunities; takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.
• Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; meets challenges with resourcefulness.
• Cooperation - Establishes and maintains effective relations; exhibits tact and consideration; works cooperatively in group situations; balances team and individual responsibilities.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education And Experience

Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university; 4-5 years of experience and/or training in the sports and entertainment industry; experience selling corporate partnerships/partnership marketing; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Office Software.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered or that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to cold. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.