Head of Partnerships & Sponsorships

Contrarian Thinking • Austin, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Contrarian Thinking is a media, advisory, and investment firm focused on Main Street businesses. Its media properties include Contrarian Thinking and Codie Sanchez podcasts, YouTube, newsletters, books, social channels, and live events. The firm also provides advisory services and invests in Main Street businesses.

The Head of Partnerships & Sponsorships will own brand, sponsorship, and partnership revenue across Contrarian Thinking and Codie Sanchez media assets, with the goal of building an 8-figure business. The role will establish sponsorship strategy and pricing, sell and close category partnerships, manage deals from pitch through delivery and renewal, and develop the team and systems needed to scale the function. It will work closely with Media & Content, Events & Community, Marketing, Finance, and leadership to ensure partnerships support the content and audience experience.

The position begins as a player-coach, personally closing deals before hiring and leading a growing team. It is based in Austin, Texas, and requires working full-time in the office. Applicants must live within a one-hour drive of Austin or be willing to relocate. The role reports to the President.

Requirements

• 8–10+ years of experience in brand partnerships, sponsorship sales, or business development at a creator-led media company, publisher, agency, or events business.
• Experience leading a sponsorship revenue function at scale.
• Track record of personally closing 7-figure brand deals and owning 8-figure partnership revenue; category partnerships are preferred over one-off deals.
• Existing relationships with brand-side marketing leaders and agencies.
• Experience building a sponsorship function from scratch, including packaging, pricing, process, and team.
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to diplomatically decline brand requests when appropriate.
• Comfort with CRM systems, platform analytics, and partner reporting.
• Clear, concise writing skills for pitches and briefs.
• Low ego, high standards, and a bias toward action.
• Must live within a one-hour drive of Austin, Texas, or be willing to relocate.
• Willingness to work full-time in the Austin office.

Nice To Haves

• Experience selling a combined package across podcasts, YouTube, newsletters, and live events.
• Experience hiring and leading a partnerships or sales team.
• Use of AI tools for research, pitching, and reporting.
• Interest in small business, acquisitions, and entrepreneurship.

Responsibilities

• Define how sponsorships are packaged and sold across podcasts, YouTube, newsletters, social media, live events, and community.
• Build sponsorship packaging, a rate card, an inventory calendar, and brand-safety guardrails.
• Own the plan and annual targets for building an 8-figure partnerships and sponsorships business.
• Develop and manage a pipeline of category partners, including prospects in finance, travel, auto, lifestyle, and business tools.
• Pitch creative concepts to brand-side VPs, CMOs, and agencies; negotiate and close deals.
• Gain internal alignment on partnership concepts before presenting them to brands.
• Manage deals from signed contract through campaign delivery, reporting, and renewal.
• Protect the company's creative integrity and voice during partner review cycles while maintaining relationships.
• Report partnership ROI to partners and leadership.
• Vet and manage partners that provide value to the Buyers and Builders communities.
• Grow affiliate and referral programs aligned with the company's mission.
• Build the CRM pipeline, contract process, and dashboards for pipeline, booked versus delivered revenue, partner ROI, and renewal rate.
• Hire and lead the partnerships team as revenue grows.
• Report weekly to the President on pipeline, booked revenue, and delivery.
• Audit current and past sponsors, inventory, and pricing across properties and recommend what to sell and at what price.
• Develop a rate card, pitch deck, and partnership one-pager for leadership approval.
• Establish a weekly operating rhythm with Content, Events, and Finance.
• Build multiple 7-figure category partnerships structured for multi-year renewal.

Benefits

• 100% company-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for full-time Crew Members, with the option to add dependents.
• Unlimited PTO with approval from the Direct Support.
• Eight paid U.S. holidays.
• On-time direct deposit twice per month.
• Option to enroll in a 401(k) plan via Vestwell with competitive match options.
• Free access to all courses and the flagship Contrarian Community.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed