Manager, Partnership Strategy

Chicago Fire•Chicago, IL

5h•$65,000 - $75,000

About The Position

Chicago Fire FC is seeking, a customer focused, data-driven Partnership Strategy Manager to support all Corporate Partnership team efforts. In this position, the Partnership Strategy Manager will focus on providing sales and marketing support by leading strategic initiatives that drive new revenue opportunities for the partnerships team. The Partnership Strategy Specialist will manage two Strategy Specialists and will collaborate internally to brainstorm and refine partnership elements, developing and updating presentation materials, using thorough research and data analysis, and expanding commercial inventory with a focus on ensuring partnership initiatives boost fan engagement and maximize club revenue streams.

Requirements

4+ years of relevant corporate partnerships experience
1+ years of management experience
Ability to develop and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously and deliver results in a fast-paced environment
Proven ability to develop sales presentations, marketing materials, and partnership proposals
Experience managing relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners
Self-motivated and self-starter with the ability to think creatively
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Willingness to learn in a fast-paced, performance-driven work environment
Ability to work non-traditional hours, in non-traditional settings, including all games (or other work events) that fall on nights, weekends, and/or holidays

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, sports business, or related field
High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (especially PowerPoint, Excel, Word) and design tools for mockups and presentations (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva).
Experience working with data analysis platforms (e.g., Salesforce, YouGov, Blinkfire)
Understanding of the sports, entertainment, or event sponsorship industry

Responsibilities

Partnership Development & Marketing Support Lead the creation and maintenance of compelling club story presentations, sales decks, word documents, and mockups, ensuring they effectively communicate value propositions to potential partners
Utilize strong project management skills to support the development of new business, renewals, and upsell opportunities by designing integrated programs that align with partner needs and organizational objectives
Lead cross-functional collaboration with internal departments, including Marketing, Communications, Community Programs, and Ticket Operations, to create sellable partnership assets and drive revenue growth
Research, Analytics & Reporting Analyze data and evaluate industry trends to support the achievement of Corporate Partnership goals and targets, identifying key opportunities for growth.
Leverage fan insights and manage third-party research to enhance presentations and support departmental initiatives, ensuring relevance and impact.
Drive department revenue through effective management of Corporate Partnership inventory, rate card updates, and performance reporting.
Oversee the management and analysis of partnership data, collaborating with the Business Strategy & Analytics team to deliver timely and insightful reports.