Manager, Partner Manager Jobs

Background

Location: Hybrid – work-from-home and office: 303 E Wacker Dr., Suite 2200, Chicago, IL

Type: Full-time, permanent position

Division: Strategic Partnerships

Reports to: Director, Strategic Partnerships

Overview

The Association of Pickleball Professionals | The APP Tour (APP) is dedicated to providing the best pickleball tournament experience for all. The APP, owned by Intersport, was founded in 2019 and serves professionals, senior professionals, and amateurs in the fastest growing sport in the country. The first and only tour officially sanctioned by USA Pickleball, the 2023 APP Tour slate boasts 16 tournament stops, in addition to International and Collegiate Series events. The APP also prides itself on developing the next generation of champions through its Next Gen Series and other youth initiatives. You can view the 2023 Tour slate here: https://apptour.org/the-2022-app-tour-schedule/

The Position

The APP is seeking to add a smart and driven Manager, Partner Management to its Strategic Partnerships team. The Strategic Partnerships team leads the APP’s sponsorship and media sales efforts. The Manager, Partner Management will be responsible for leading the high-quality management and support of APP corporate partners and be responsible for ensuring the flawless execution and fulfillment of all contracted marketing rights and benefits while providing strategic, creative, and responsive client management and service to partners. As such, the right candidate will have experience in sponsorship marketing and experiential/event marketing. Working in collaboration with our partnership sales professionals, the Manager will be expected to retain and grow partner commitments within their portfolio. The right candidate must possess a consultative approach to client management and be able to detail success in having successfully manage corporate partners with six, and seven-figure sponsorship (annual fee) agreements.

Responsibilities

General

• Embody and reflect the APP’s performance-based culture and commits him/herself and team to the highest standards for all agency work
• Work effectively with cross-functional teams to deliver executional excellence

Partner Management & Communication

• Establishing himself/herself as a trusted strategic business partner and “go to” resource for both the partner client and internal partnership sales team members
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding and a passion for his/her corporate partner clients’ industries, businesses, consumers and brands, including an understanding of their competitive set and industry
• Demonstrate leadership and presence in all partner client interaction – meetings, calls/video conferences, correspondence, etc.
• Lead coordination and administration of regular conference calls
• Maintain a comprehensive and detailed knowledge of each partner client’s rights and benefits (i.e. contractual assets) inclusive of delivery status and related project management and corresponding communications
• Lead and set an example for responsive and astute management and support of APP corporate partner clients
• Actively contribute in brainstorming and idea generation sessions to conceptualize and develop new and enhanced activation platforms for current and prospective partners

Program & Project Management

• In collaborate with partnership sales colleagues, provide accountability for managing internal legal process and agreement/contract administration
• Create and maintain administrative documents in a clear, concise and detailed manner for client and agency backup including points of view, recaps, reporting, agendas, and timelines
• Manage and oversee the creative and production briefing process

Team Management

• Help mentor and train a Coordinator, and select other team members, with contributions toward their goal setting, feedback, and constructive guidance
• Apply a genuine eagerness to mentor, grow, and learn from a diverse and talented team

Deliverables Oversight

• Oversee quality production of:
• Administrative support and prep and follow-up materials for prospect/client meetings and following events and administrative documents in a clear, concise and detailed manner
• Research and project management for a variety of ad hoc assignments for the Strategic Partnerships team
• Benefits summaries, program/event recaps, etc.
• PowerPoint presentations (e.g. decks) with a high-level aesthetic and an exacting level of detail

Event Execution

• Assist and lead APP activation and events, including coordination and communication between APP departments and external prospects/clients, vendors and partners in support of activation

Qualifications

• Proven success in the sports/entertainment/lifestyle marketing landscape, specifically sponsorship management/servicing and experiential/event marketing
• Demonstrated ability to lead a high-level partner/client management function
• Experience leading the flawless delivery of a broad range of contractual rights and benefits (i.e. marketing assets)
• Exemplary written and oral communication skills
• Experience working in a collaborate manner with corporate partnership sales team members
• Graphic design capabilities (e.g. Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign) a plus
• Proactive, team player with a strong work ethic
• Ability to produce high quality work at a fast pace
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint and Word; proficiency in Excel
• Ability to travel for business on trips typically lasting between three (3) and six (6) days
• Application of superior prioritization and time-management skills
• Four (4) to six (6) years’ full-time, non-internship professional experience in a marketing or sales support role at an agency, brand, media company, sports or entertainment property, or related organization
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to manage multiple programs/projects concurrently, inclusive of a detail oriented and organized approach
• Bachelor’s degree required

Intersport is an Equal Opportunity Employer.