Background
Location: Chicago (hybrid – work-from-home and office: 303 E Wacker Dr.) or remote
Type: Full-time, permanent position
Division: Strategic Partnerships
Reports to: Chief Revenue Officer
Overview
The Association of Pickleball Players | 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 2024 APP Tour slate boasts 12 tournament stops, in addition to Signature, 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 2024 Tour schedule here:
The Position
The APP is seeking to add a successful sponsorship sales professional to its Strategic Partnerships team. The Manager will be responsible for generating revenue for the Association of Pickleball Players (APP). The right candidate will have proven success in sponsorship sales, relationships with key clients nationally, and the ability to create new relationships among buyers. A candidate must possess a consultative selling approach and ideally be able to detail success in having sold six-figure sponsorship agreements.
Responsibilities
General
- Embody and reflect the APP’s performance-based culture and commit him/herself and team to the highest standards for all work.
- Work effectively with cross-functional teams to deliver executional excellence.
Business Development
- Provide expertise on the APP’s commercial offerings, comprehensive and detailed knowledge of a breadth of integrated rights and benefits (i.e. assets) and be able to conceptualize and sell-in creative activation concepts that meet the business and brand objectives of partners and prospective partners.
- Prospect, pitch, and close six-figure sponsorship and media agreements with clients and agencies, nationally.
- Provide high-level, peer-to-peer executive level client engagement among signed partners.
Team Management
- Apply a genuine eagerness to mentor, grow, and learn from a diverse and talented team.
- Work collaboratively with all members of integrated team.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Minimum of four (4) years’ full-time experience in sponsorship and/or media sales.
- Strong understanding of the sales process with a passion for pitching and closing new business.
- Ability to detail a history of having sold numerous six-figure sponsorship and/or media sales agreements.
- Current key relationships with sponsorship and/or media buyers at clients and agencies nationally.
- Ability to develop new relationships with sponsorship and/or media buyers.
- Experience managing, training, and mentoring junior-level staff.
- Exemplary verbal and written communication skills with high-level presentation ability.
- Flexibility to work both independently and collaboratively in an entrepreneurial environment.
- Proficiency in PowerPoint, Word, Excel.
The Association of Pickleball Players, LLC. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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