Senior Manager - Partnerships Sales

About League One Volleyball (LOVB)

Founded in 2019, League One Volleyball (LOVB) is a mission-driven organization dedicated to transforming women's volleyball in the United States. With a goal to empower female athletes and revolutionize the sport, LOVB leverages its strong community roots to create the leading professional volleyball league and a connected digital ecosystem. Volleyball is the most played girls' youth sport in the country, and LOVB capitalizes on this opportunity by building a vibrant club and professional league environment that honors the predominance of women in the sport.

Role Overview

The Senior Manager of Partnerships is a key contributor to the commercial strategy of LOVB, focusing on cultivating and securing diverse partnerships spanning cash sponsorships and value-in-kind agreements. This position demands leadership in sales outreach, negotiation, and strategic collaboration across multiple departments to build sustainable revenue streams and operational efficiencies in alignment with LOVB's mission.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive outbound sales initiatives to establish and grow brand partnerships that expand LOVB's commercial influence.
• Maintain and develop a proactive sales pipeline with effective CRM management and clear forecasting.
• Collaborate closely with agency partners to optimize outreach efforts and define lead responsibilities.
• Work with various internal teams to translate league assets into compelling partnership opportunities.
• Structure, negotiate, and finalize partnership deals involving financial, product, or co-branded activations.
• Coordinate with Legal, Finance, and leadership to ensure all agreements meet organizational standards and strategic goals.
• Monitor partnership performance through CRM and other internal tracking mechanisms.
• Facilitate smooth transitions from contract execution to activation phases by partnering with Marketing and Operations teams.
• Represent LOVB at matches and events, serving as a brand ambassador to partners and the community.
• Stay current with trends in sports marketing and sponsorship to refine sales strategies.
• Attend industry conferences to enhance LOVB's visibility among key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Finance to forecast partnership revenues and evaluate key performance indicators for hybrid partnerships.

Required and Preferred Skills

• Proven success in partnership or sponsorship sales, ideally within sports, media, or entertainment sectors.
• Strong communication skills to engage and influence senior marketing leaders and agency representatives.
• Ability to craft insightful partnership narratives that align brand interests with LOVB's values.
• Experience negotiating complex agreements and collaborating with internal legal and finance teams.
• Highly organized with expertise in managing multiple sales cycles and proficiency in CRM and presentation tools.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and influence teams without direct authority.
• Strategic thinker who contributes to partnership planning and shares market insights.
• Self-motivated and adaptable, thriving in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Passion for advancing women's sports and alignment with LOVB's community-first philosophy preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in negotiating and managing Value in Kind (VIK) partnerships to maximize non-cash business value.
• Background in professional sports partnerships or sponsorship sales is advantageous.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree required; preferred disciplines include Business, Marketing, Communications, or related fields.
• Between 5 and 8 years of relevant professional experience in partnerships, sponsorship sales, or strategic marketing within sports, entertainment, or similar industries.
• Strong history of successfully acquiring and expanding revenue-generating partnerships with tangible business impact.
• Capability to balance revenue objectives with brand integrity for sustainable long-term value.

Personal Qualities

• Thrives under pressure in dynamic and evolving settings with shifting priorities.
• Problem solver who knows when to escalate issues appropriately.
• Effective collaborator with excellent verbal and written communication.
• Ability to work independently while engaging constructively with a remote team.
• Positive, proactive, and creative with strong organizational skills and eagerness to learn.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Remote work based in the United States with occasional travel to meetings and events, heavier during Pro season.
• Requires proficiency with computers, video conferencing, and multiple communication channels.

Location

This is a remote position available to candidates based in the United States, with periodic travel required for client engagements and league activities.