Partnership Sales Manager

Summary/Objective

This position is responsible for generating new business revenue through the sale of fully integrated partnership solutions across the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx. The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated business development professional who excels at prospecting, building relationships, conducting discovery, and closing new corporate partnerships.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform these essential functions

• Research, prospect, qualify, and develop new business opportunities through strategic outreach, networking, referrals, and relationship-building efforts.
• Sustain a high level of outbound sales activity (including but not limited to calls, digital communication, and face to face meetings) so as to drive a successful sales process.
• Conduct discovery meetings with prospective partners to understand business objectives, marketing priorities, and challenges, then develop customized partnership solutions aligned to those needs.
• Coordinate and deliver corporate partner presentations plus all related items including collateral materials, audio-visual resources, etc.
• Build and maintain a healthy sales pipeline through consistent prospecting activity, networking, referrals, and strategic outreach.
• Collaborate closely with the Partnership Marketing team to ensure a seamless transition from sales process to activation and long-term partnership success.
• Manage a protected list of corporate prospects to maximize the sale of fully integrated sponsorships.
• Work closely with Business Strategy & Analytics department to effectively utilize all research vehicles such as Vision Impact, Zoomph, and other organizational tools.
• Utilize CRM tracking tools and existing sales processes to track progress toward preset goals.
• Work game days to entertain potential clients.
• Meet and exceed new business revenue goals through the development and execution of a robust prospecting and sales strategy.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills required.
• Computer skills required: experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook) is preferred.
• Knowledge of CRM is preferred.
• Ability to work well on a team and independently.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage a sales pipeline, prioritize opportunities, and navigate complex sales cycles.
• Strong consultative selling skills, including the ability to uncover business challenges and develop customized solutions.
• Ability to build credibility and relationships with senior-level decision makers.
• Highly motivated self-starter with a proven ability to prospect and generate new business opportunities.
• Strong presentation and proposal development skills with the ability to communicate value effectively.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field, or equivalent experience preferred.

Experience

Minimum of three (3) years of business development or sales experience required. Experience in sponsorship sales, media sales, advertising sales, marketing solutions, agency sales, or sports partnerships preferred.

Supervisory Responsibility 
This position does not have supervisory responsibility.

Benefits & Compensation

• Compensation: The base salary range for this non-exempt role will be: $70,000 - $78,000 depending on experience. There are opportunities for an annual corporate bonus. Total compensation & offer package will include the following: 
• Benefits: Regular full-time employees have access to medical, dental, and vision plans, health saving accounts with an employer contribution, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, and life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance. Additional benefits may include employer-paid short/long-term disability plans, generous fitness and well-being benefits, work-related reimbursements, and fully paid family/caregiver leave. Regular full-time employees start with 11 Holidays, at least 20 paid PTO days, 2 Volunteer days, and 4 Personal Holidays in each calendar year.

Work Environment
This job operates in a professional office environment. Office hours are typically Monday-Friday from 8:30AM-5:30PM. In addition to working office hours staff may be required to work Timberwolves and Lynx home games, member events and meetings, and networking events. Work is generally sedentary in nature. The working environment is generally favorable. Work is generally performed within an office environment with standard office equipment available. This job also operates in a sports arena which includes bleachers/steps as well as moderate to high levels of noise.  

Physical Demands
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 communicate and exchange information with others both in person and over the telephone. The employee frequently is required to remain in a stationary position, as well as operate computers and other office equipment, such as a copy machine, printer and telephone. Staff will frequently ascend and descend bleachers/steps and traverse around the arena both on event days and non-event days. Staff may occasionally move objects weighing up to 15 pounds.
Travel  Position may require travel to external events. 

EEO Statement
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx are an equal employment opportunity organization. 

E-Verify Statement
We participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot prove this, we will give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) to resolve the issue before any action might be taken against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.