Director, Partnership Development

Washington Spirit•Falls Church, VA

7h•$120,000 - $130,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington Spirit is seeking a persistent, resilient, self-motivated, and results-driven individual to join our Corporate Partnerships team as a Director, Partnership Development. Reporting to the Vice President of Corporate Partnerships, this role is pivotal in driving revenue growth through the acquisition and development of new corporate partnerships. The ideal candidate will have a strong sales background, a history of exceeding revenue targets, a “figure it out” mentality, and be an ultimate teammate and collaborator. This role does not involve managerial duties, but will act as a leader, coach, and mentor to other sellers in the department.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
Minimum of 6+ years of sponsorship sales experience within sports, media, and entertainment
Proven “goal hitter” who maintains an evolving pipeline to exceed revenue targets with six- and seven-figure partnerships
Passionate about relationship development and prioritizes in-person interactions (e.g., hosting at matches, dinners, coffee)
High emotional intelligence, intellectual curiosity, and a desire to grow professionally
Keen attention to detail, strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, and the ability to maintain productive, positive relationships through strong communication and interpersonal skills
Comfortable interacting with all levels of staff, clientele, and vendors
Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and other creative and research-oriented resources (e.g., Zoomph, Sponsor United)
Able to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as required
Puts team over individual and is enthusiastic about the mission of the Washington Spirit

Responsibilities

Identify and Prospect: Research and identify potential corporate partners that align with the Washington Spirit’s brand and values.
Sales Outreach: Initiate and manage sales outreach efforts, including cold calling, emailing, and networking to generate new business leads.
Relationship Building: Develop and maintain strong relationships with key decision-makers at prospective partner organizations.
Proposal Development: Create compelling partnership proposals and presentations tailored to the needs and objectives of potential partners.
Presentation Skills: Deliver compelling presentations to C-Suite clientele and prospective partners in person.
Negotiation: Negotiate partnership agreements, ensuring mutually beneficial terms for both the Washington Spirit and the partner.
Collaboration: Work closely with internal teams, including marketing, operations, and community relations, to ensure seamless execution of partnership agreements alongside the Partnership Activation team.
Reporting: Track and report on sales activities, pipeline status, and partnership performance metrics.
Other Duties as Assigned