Director, Partnership Sales LGE - Portland Thorns

LEGENDS

PORTLAND THORNS

Founded in 2012, Portland Thorns FC have set the standard for fan support and on-field success in women’s soccer since its inaugural 2013 season.

One of the world’s most supported women’s soccer clubs, Portland has led the league in attendance for eight seasons and set a new club playoff attendance record last year with 25,218 fans supporting Thorns FC in the 2023 semifinal match at Providence Park.

Thorns FC have won the NWSL Championship a league-record three times (2013, 2017, 2022) and finished as runners-up in 2018.

The club has made the postseason a league-high nine times and has won the NWSL Shield in 2016 and 2021.

THE ROLE

The Director, Partnership Sales will conceptualize, develop, and secure key corporate sponsorships and marketing partnerships with companies wishing to maximize their relationship with Portland Thorns.

The Director of Partnership Sales will be primarily responsible for driving new business development as a key member of the partnerships team.

The Director will also be responsible for individually driving six- and seven- figure, multi-year partnerships. This position will report to the Vice President, Partnerships.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Work with new partnership development team to manage key category development and platform ideation for new and existing partners.
• Secure and conduct partnership development meetings with potential clients by leveraging relationships as well as cold outreach.
• Aim to understand the marketing and business objectives of prospective clients and their agencies to determine how a partnership with Portland Thorns and Legends can help them achieve their goals.
• Develop relationships and work directly with key colleagues to create a collaborative business development process and the opportunity for integrated partnerships.

Work with business development team to design high-level vision decks and interactive practice pitch meetings.

• Present Portland Thorns to potential local / national / international sponsorship partners and develop an integrated, solution-driven approach to creating sponsorship packages.
• Create, package and sell solution-based naming rights and sponsorship while leading a team to meet and exceed all revenue goals.
• Manage a pipeline of new business prospects for the entire Partnership sales team.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key decision-makers at client marketing companies and their respective advertising agencies.
• Understand the marketing objectives of prospective clients and their agencies and determine how a partnership with Portland Thorns can help them achieve their goals.
• Research and identify industries and organizations to solicit sponsorship.
• Negotiate and close sponsorship deals and work with counsel through contract execution.
• Attend weekly meetings with senior-level executives and provide routine recruitment updates.
• Be a team player and contribute to the general success of Legends Global Partnerships across all facets, including positively representing Portland Thorns among all corporate and partners.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, the candidate must be able to perform each essential duty above at the highest levels.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required.

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent required.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of high-level partnership revenue performance preferred selling partnerships for professional, collegiate or media sports property.
• Preferable experience includes working with new and / or facility renovation projects within the Entertainment or Sports Industry.
• Renowned solution-selling pedigree.
• Solid book of business with high-level contacts at large and midsize corporations, particularly companies with sponsorship portfolios.
• A proven track record in pitching, negotiating and closing six and seven-figure sponsorship deals.
• Expertise in identifying opportunities, developing strategies and negotiating creative solutions.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership abilities with excellent communication skills.
• High energy and a personality that thrives in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
• Strong work ethic and a competitive drive to win.
• Excellence in pitching, negotiating and closing six and seven-figure sponsorship deals.
• Ability to communicate the value of sponsorship vs. pure media as a marketing solution.
• Ability to develop creative proposals that meet and exceed potential partners’ needs.
• Ability to excel in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Ability to quickly earn and maintain trust.
• Ability to develop strong peer-level relationships and work in a team environment.

COMPENSATION

Competitive salary, commensurate with experience, and a generous benefits package that includes : medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, paid vacation, and 401k plan.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Location : On Site - Portland, OR

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, hear; use hands to finger, and handle controls.

The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to stand, walk, and stoop. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Legends is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or genetic information.