Senior Director, Corporate Partnership Sales

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 Senior Director of Corporate Partnership Sales 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. 

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. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for creating, developing, and selling fully integrated partnerships with local, regional, and national clients/markets and establishing effective pursuit strategies to secure partnerships.
• 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.
• Initiate contracts and develop mutually beneficial strategic relationships with partners to drive additional revenue generation.
• Manage the sustained development and management of partner relationships with a focus on plans which accomplish strategic objectives and a measurable return on investment.
• Work with internal departments to develop and execute programs that support partnership elements.
• Execute meetings, calls, and presentations with high-level corporate executives.

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Participant of Integrated Sales & Marketing committee to enhance asset ideation and contribution from concept to deployment.
• Work in conjunction with Business Strategy & Analytics, Marketing, and all critical departments to develop presentations that include measurable elements
• Research prospect brands and their competitors to identify opportunities and solution-based programs.
• Create and manage high-value, fully-integrated advertising and sponsorship packages that are in line with the partner’s marketing objectives.
• Participate in the development, ideation, evolution, implementation, and fulfillment of service and activation platform.
• Sell NFL Corporate Sponsors and work with NFL Business Development colleagues to maximize partner investment levels.
• Fiscal responsibility with departmental budget expenses
• Develop, write and present corporate sponsorship sales proposals to key clients.
• 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.
• Work cross-departmentally to develop new sellable marketing, community, NFL initiatives and digital platforms our sales team can use to monetize business opportunities.
• Manage client programs as they relate to billing/accounting, promotions/marketing, ticket office, broadcasting, community outreach, etc.
• Collaboration with Executive Director of Corporate Partnership with the identification of prospective opportunities
• Maintain weekly reports for personal sale pipeline, revenue achievements, and prospecting
• Incorporate appropriate market research into sponsorship proposals and sales presentations.
• Utilize NFL SABR data to maximize category opportunities for the Detroit Lions.
• Effectively communicate client expectations and contractual obligations to appropriate internal departments.
• Work as a team with partnership service coordinators to provide excellent customer service and to ensure fulfillment of client deliverables with account base.
• 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.
• Ability to develop strong, long-term relationships with both clients and co-workers.
• Business aptitude to understand and manage client needs and organizational goals to create unique and innovative revenue generating programs.
• Gameday responsibilities include managing staff, activation setup, entertaining clients and fulfilling sponsorship contract obligations.
• Conducts business during non-traditional hours, taking advantage of opportunities to interact with clients and prospects during games, events and away game trips.
• Event planning and execution for partner-sponsored events or meetings.
• Work with NFL sponsorship colleagues to grow and develop partnerships.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree with emphasis in Business, Communications, Marketing, or Management required.
• Minimum seven (7) years of sponsorship sales experience with a major league professional sports team or high-profile entertainment entity.
• Experience leading and coaching a team of sales professionals in a competitive environment.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple assignments in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with proven interpersonal aptitude.
• Ability to exercise sound business judgment and generate effective solutions quickly.
• Strong working knowledge of MS Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Willingness to travel and work flexible hours including some weekends and evenings.