Manager of Partnerships | Full-Time | Five Flags Center & Grand River Center

Oak View Group•Dubuque, IA

4d•$60,000 - $70,000•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Vice President of Global Partnerships, the Manager of Partnerships is responsible for aggressively driving new sponsorship and premium seating business, activating sponsor agreements, and maintaining client relationships to achieve department revenue goals for OVG at Five Flags Center and Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa. The Manager of Partnerships is primarily responsible for generating revenue through the sale of integrated sponsorships, entitlement spaces, digital advertising, premium seating, and hospitality packages throughout both properties. We are looking for hard-working, intentional, strategic, creative individuals who have a passion for the entertainment and live events industry. Suitable candidates for the role are high-energy individuals with aspirations in sport and business sales. Strong candidates will have experience selling sport and entertainment sponsorships or advertising in the Midwest and possess the capability to work collaboratively with multiple business stakeholders. This role will pay a salary of $60,000 to $70,000 and is commission eligible. Benefits: Health, Dental and Vision insurance, 401(k) savings plan, 401(k) matching, and paid time off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays). This position will remain open until June 19, 2026. This position on our Global Partnerships team is located at Five Flags Center in Dubuque, Iowa. Five Flags Center hosts a variety of events throughout the year such as concerts, family shows, community events and comedy acts. The Grand River Center, recognized as one of the 2025 Best Midwest Convention Centers by Northstar Stella Awards, hosts business meetings, conventions, trade shows, banquests and more events throughout the year. Both venues are community and entertainment hubs of Dubuque.

Requirements

3-5 years of sales experience, preferably in the sports and entertainment or advertising and brand sales industries.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university.
Entrepreneurial mindset to take ownership of your role and improve those around you.
Knowledge of the sport/event sponsorship sales and advertising industry.
Excellent communication, organizational, and presentation skills.
Ability to quickly establish personal relationships through trust, knowledge, and empathy.
Must be available to work flexible hours including nights, weekends, and holidays.
A self-starter that has the ability to multitask, reacts well under pressure, and is able to work in a fast-paced environment.
A hard worker who values integrity and respect for others, and a team player who also understands how to lead.
Exceptional organizational skills with an ability to handle multiple assignments in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
Strong working knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams).

Nice To Haves

Experience with Salesforce CRM preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

Responsible for growing revenue via new and existing business partnerships and through accomplishing individual and departmental revenue goals.
Support the department’s new business sales process from start to finish – identify and manage individual account prospect list, CRM input, relationship development, client objective-based ideation, proposal building, pitching, negotiating, closing, contract execution.
Relentlessly prospect new business weekly to set meetings with qualified prospects, fill the pipeline and advance business relationships quickly and efficiently.
Host and entertain existing and prospective clients during events.
Manage ticketing distribution and hospitality for clients.
Work with Vice President of Global Partnerships to help develop and execute a strategic plan to drive revenue for OVG and our Dubuque properties.
Create and manage high-value, fully-integrated advertising and sponsorship packages that are in line with partners’ marketing and business objectives.
Set appointments, meetings, and presentations with C-suite executives to secure sponsorship contracts in order to meet and exceed revenue goals.
Proactively identify and collaboratively assess partnership opportunities while establishing new client relationships utilizing various sales strategies, including but not limited to, research, cold calls, site visits, and outside sales calls.
Provide partners with Proof of Performance and Recaps to assist renewal and upsell opportunities.
Create new sales collateral or modify existing collateral as required for both OVG and your Facility.
Meet and exceed sales revenue quota as well as other goals set by your manager.
Effectively communicate client expectations and contractual obligations to appropriate internal departments to properly execute contracted sponsorship agreements.
Establish and maintain complete and efficient records of all partner/prospect contacts that are accessible by OVG.
Work with internal departments to develop and execute programs that support partnership programs and elements.
Provide regular reports as required by your manager for sales pipeline, revenue achievements, prospecting, and forecasting through proper recording methods provided by your manager.
Conduct business during non-traditional hours, taking advantage of opportunities to interact with clients and prospects during games, events and off-site gatherings.
Day of event responsibilities such as sponsorship activation setup, coordination, entertaining clients, premium seating preparation and fulfilling necessary sponsorship contract obligations.
Sell the full suite of OVG Global Partnerships assets on a local and national scale incorporating your property, other OVG properties, 3rd Party, Arena Alliance, Owned & Operated and other OVG opportunities.
Other duties as assigned.