Manager, Partnership Development | University of Notre Dame

JMI Sports is a leading media rights and venue development company that provides management of collegiate multimedia rights, sponsorship sales agency representation, and project management expertise for the development of collegiate and professional sports facilities. The company serves to maximize each client’s economic potential through customized initiatives, from marketing and branding solutions to facility design strategies. 

JMI Sports’ signature collegiate multimedia rights partnerships include the University of Kentucky, the University of Utah, UCLA, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pittsburgh, Harvard University, DePaul University, Columbia University, San Diego State University, University of California at San Diego, University of San Diego, and joint-venture properties at the University of Georgia (with Learfield), University of Notre Dame (with Legends Global), and the new Ryan Field (with Legends Global). JMI Sports also represents multimedia rights for several conferences, including the Ivy 

League, the Mid-American Conference, the Mountain West Conference, the Patriot League, and the Atlantic 10, and serves as third-party sales representation for premier sports properties, venues, and events including Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, the Rose Bowl, the Penn Relays, and USA Volleyball. 

JMI Sports was founded in 2006 by CEO Erik Judson and technology entrepreneur John Moores, former owner of the San Diego Padres. To learn more, please visit www.jmisports.com. 

THE ROLE 

The Manager, Partnership Development with NDGP will act as a high-level individual sales contributor, helping to identify, source, negotiate, and close new business.  They will connect directly with brand decision makers on a regular basis to increase market awareness of new opportunities and solicit new partnership engagements. The ideal candidate possesses a strong passion for sales development and positive enthusiasm for collaboration with teammates. This role will report to the VP, Partnership Development. 
 
Essential Duties And Responsibilities 

• Be accountable for annual revenue goals, pipeline management and growth goals. 

• Individual contributor yet strategic thinker to drive long-term partner opportunities, while executing against short-term go-to-market sales strategies. 

• Self-starter who likes to develop and build partner opportunities from the ground up. 

• Leverage network, relationships, and cold outreach to identify potential new partnerships. 

• Flexible and nimble to work within an ever-changing and ever-growing environment. 

• Create newsworthy innovative partnerships that pioneer new categories, inventory, campaigns/platforms, and/or partner integrations. 

• Develop a deep understanding of target partner categories. 

• Ability to prospect through extensive company and executive research for strategic market engagement. 

• Ability to construct a brand prospect pipeline and creative outreach plan (via targeting and qualifying leads. through calls and referrals) for potential opportunities with regional, national, and international companies. 

• Ability to establish and maintain relationships with prospects and clients from VPs through the C-suite. 

• Communicate with external executive staff and stakeholders to coordinate meetings and other touchpoints throughout the sales process. 

• Collaborate with internal and external staff to plan, ideate, and develop strategic marketing platforms to present to new prospects. 

• Coordinate with NDGP teammates to maximize efficiency and effectiveness of sales process, inclusive of managing and maintaining internal communication platforms (i.e., CRM). 

• Self-motivated with entrepreneurial spirit. 

• Possess an optimistic team attitude and competitive desire to be the best. 

• Other duties and projects as assigned. 
   

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. 

• 3+ years of successful corporate sales, premium sales, or brand sponsorship sales experience directly in sponsorship/corporate partnerships. 

• Proven track record in closing long-term, six and seven-figure integrated marketing partnerships while reaching/exceeding new revenue goals. 

• High-level relationships at large corporations, particularly companies with national and global sponsorship portfolios. 

• Experience driving revenue growth with emerging opportunities and established partnerships. 

• Demonstrates experience using sales materials and market insights to craft strategy and narrative. 

• Storyteller with experience communicating the benefits of marketing opportunities to clients. 

• Communication and presentation experience with an emphasis on translating insights, product information, and data into partner value 

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills to develop strong working relationships with partners, teammates, and other stakeholders. 

• Capacity to meet challenging sales objectives in a high-profile, competitive marketplace. 

• Ability to manage a high level of detail across multiple projects and to prioritize efficiently. 

• Expertise in identifying opportunities, developing strategies, and negotiating creative solutions. 

• Familiarity with digital media marketing and social media platforms. 

• Creativity to develop strategic and purpose-driven marketing platforms. 

• Experience in building out innovative presentations in Canva and/or other presentation development technologies. 

• High emotional intelligence, intellectual curiosity, and desire to grow professionally. 

• Ability to prioritize and meet competing deadlines independently. 

• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously while remaining organized, efficient, and calm under pressure 

• Able to work non-traditional hours, in non-traditional settings, including weekends, holidays, and games. 

• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment. 

LOCATION 

South Bend, IN 

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 

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.

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