Senior Director, Corporate Partnership Sales

<p>The Detroit Lions are building something special and we want the right person in the room when it matters most. We're looking for a <strong>Senior Director of Corporate Partnership Sales</strong> to lead the charge in growing our corporate partnerships portfolio. This isn't just a sales role — it's a chance to shape the commercial future of one of the NFL's most storied franchises.&nbsp;</p> <p>You'll drive the full sales cycle: identifying prospects, crafting compelling pitches, and closing deals that bring in new revenue while deepening relationships with existing partners. Working cross-functionally, you'll build creative assets and programs backed by data, clearly demonstrating the values of a Lions partnership to sponsors, advertisers, and corporate allies.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Responsible for creating, developing, and selling fully integrated partnerships with local, regional, and national clients/markets and establishing effective pursuit strategies to secure partnerships.</li> <li>Identify and collaboratively assess partnership opportunities while establishing new client relationships utilizing various sales strategies, including research, cold calls, site visits, and outside sales calls.</li> <li>Initiate contracts and develop mutually beneficial strategic relationships with partners to drive additional revenue generation.</li> <li>Manage the sustained development and management of partner relationships with a focus on plans which accomplish strategic objectives and a measurable return on investment.</li> <li>Work with internal departments to develop and execute programs that support partnership elements.</li> <li>Execute meetings, calls, and presentations with high-level corporate executives.</li> </ul> <p><strong>NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Participant of Integrated Sales &amp; Marketing committee to enhance asset ideation and contribution from concept to deployment.</li> <li>Work in conjunction with Business Strategy &amp; Analytics, Marketing, and all critical departments to develop presentations that include measurable elements</li> <li>Research prospect brands and their competitors to identify opportunities and solution-based programs.</li> <li>Create and manage high-value, fully-integrated advertising and sponsorship packages that are in line with the partner’s marketing objectives.</li> <li>Participate in the development, ideation, evolution, implementation, and fulfillment of service and activation platform.</li> <li>Sell NFL Corporate Sponsors and work with NFL Business Development colleagues to maximize partner investment levels.</li> <li>Fiscal responsibility with departmental budget expenses</li> <li>Develop, write and present corporate sponsorship sales proposals to key clients.</li> <li>In coordination with the Executive Director of Corporate Partnership, create new sales collateral or modify existing collateral as required for both the Detroit Lions and Ford Field.</li> <li>Work cross-departmentally to develop new sellable marketing, community, NFL initiatives and digital platforms our sales team can use to monetize business opportunities.</li> <li>Manage client programs as they relate to billing/accounting, promotions/marketing, ticket office, broadcasting, community outreach, etc.</li> <li>Collaboration with Executive Director of Corporate Partnership with the identification of prospective opportunities</li> <li>Maintain weekly reports for personal sale pipeline, revenue achievements, and prospecting</li> <li>Incorporate appropriate market research into sponsorship proposals and sales presentations.</li> <li>Utilize NFL SABR data to maximize category opportunities for the Detroit Lions.</li> <li>Effectively communicate client expectations and contractual obligations to appropriate internal departments.</li> <li>Work as a team with partnership service coordinators to provide excellent customer service and to ensure fulfillment of client deliverables with account base.</li> <li>Work in partnership with assigned partnership marketing team to form 1:1 team responsible for revenue generation consistent with expectations for new business, renewals and contracted accounts.</li> <li>Ability to develop strong, long-term relationships with both clients and co-workers.</li> <li>Business aptitude to understand and manage client needs and organizational goals to create unique and innovative revenue generating programs.</li> <li>Gameday responsibilities include managing staff, activation setup, entertaining clients and fulfilling sponsorship contract obligations.</li> <li>Conducts business during non-traditional hours, taking advantage of opportunities to interact with clients and prospects during games, events and away game trips.</li> <li>Event planning and execution for partner-sponsored events or meetings.</li> <li>Work with NFL sponsorship colleagues to grow and develop partnerships.</li> </ul> <p><strong>QUALIFICATIONS:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bachelor’s degree with emphasis in Business, Communications, Marketing, or Management required.</li> <li>Minimum seven (7) years of sponsorship sales experience with a major league professional sports team or high-profile entertainment entity.</li> <li>Experience leading and coaching a team of sales professionals in a competitive environment.</li> <li>Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple assignments in a fast-paced environment.</li> <li>Strong verbal and written communication skills with proven interpersonal aptitude.</li> <li>Ability to exercise sound business judgment and generate effective solutions quickly.</li> <li>Strong working knowledge of MS Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).</li> <li>Willingness to travel and work flexible hours including some weekends and evenings.</li> </ul>