Senior Coordinator, or Manager, Partner Management

Intersport•Chicago, IL

26d•$55,000 - $75,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Association of Pickleball Players | The APP Tour (APP) is dedicated to providing the best pickleball tournament experience for all. The APP, owned by Intersport, was founded in 2019 and serves professionals, senior professionals, and amateurs in the fastest growing sport in the country. The first and only tour officially sanctioned by USA Pickleball, the 2025 APP Tour slate boasts 19 tournament stops, in addition to Signature, International, and Collegiate Series events. The APP also prides itself on developing the next generation of champions through its APP NXT Series and other youth initiatives. You can view the 2025 Tour schedule here: https://www.theapp.global/tour The APP is seeking to add a smart and driven Senior Coordinator, or Manager, Partner Management to its Strategic Partnerships team. The Strategic Partnerships team leads the APP’s sponsorship and media sales efforts. The SC, or Manager, will be responsible for ensuring the flawless execution and fulfillment of all contracted marketing rights and benefits to corporate partners while providing strategic, creative, and responsive client management and service to partners. As such, the right candidate will have experience in sponsorship marketing and experiential/event marketing. Working in collaboration with our partnership sales professionals, the SC, or Manager, will be expected to retain and grow partner commitments within their portfolio. The right candidate must possess a consultative approach to client management and ideally be able to detail success in having successfully managed corporate partners with six, and seven-figure sponsorship (annual fee) agreements.

Requirements

Senior Coordinator: two (2) to four (4) years’ professional, relevant, non-internship, full-time experience in a marketing role at an agency, brand, media company, sports or entertainment property, or related organization
Manager: four (4) to six (six) years’ professional, relevant, non-internship, full-time experience in a marketing role at an agency, brand, media company, sports or entertainment property, or related organization
Proven success in the sports/entertainment/lifestyle marketing landscape, specifically sponsorship management/servicing and experiential/event marketing
Demonstrated ability to lead a high-level partner/client management function
Experience working in a collaborate manner with partnership sales team members
Experience leading the flawless delivery of a broad range of contractual rights and benefits (i.e. marketing assets)
Ability to manage multiple programs/projects concurrently, inclusive of a detail oriented and organized approach
Application of superior prioritization and time-management skills
Ability to produce high quality work at a fast pace
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Proactive, team player with a strong work ethic
Exemplary written and oral communication skills
Strong proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint and Word; proficiency in Excel
Ability to travel for frequent business trips typically lasting between three (3) and four (4) days

Nice To Haves

Graphic design capabilities (e.g. Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign) a plus

Responsibilities

Embody and reflect the APP’s performance-based culture and commit him/herself and team to the highest standards for all work
Work effectively with cross-functional teams to deliver executional excellence
Lead and set an example for responsive and astute management and support of the APP’s corporate partner clients
Demonstrate a thorough understanding and a passion for his/her corporate partner clients’ industries, businesses, consumers and brands, including an understanding of their competitive set and industry
Maintain a comprehensive and detailed knowledge of each partner client’s rights and benefits (i.e. contractual assets) inclusive of delivery status and related project management and corresponding communications
Establish himself/herself as a trusted strategic business partner and “go to” resource for both the partner client and internal partnership sales team members
Demonstrate leadership and presence in all partner client interaction – meetings, calls/video conferences, correspondence, etc.
Lead coordination and administration of regular conference calls
Actively contribute in brainstorming and idea generation sessions to conceptualize and develop new and enhanced activation platforms for current and prospective partners
Create and maintain administrative documents in a clear, concise and detailed manner for client and agency backup including points of view, recaps, reporting, agendas, and timelines
Manage and oversee the creative and production briefing process
In collaborate with partnership sales colleagues, provide accountability for managing internal legal process and agreement/contract administration
Apply a genuine eagerness to mentor, grow, and learn from a diverse and talented team
When necessary, help manage and train junior-level team member(s) and select other team members, with responsibility for goal setting, feedback, and constructive guidance
Oversee junior team members’ production of: PowerPoint presentations (e.g. decks) with a high-level aesthetic and an exacting level of detail
Research and project management for a variety of ad hoc assignments for the Strategic Partnerships team
Administrative support and prep and follow-up materials for prospect/client meetings and following events and administrative documents in a clear, concise and detailed manner
Benefits summaries, program/event recaps, etc.
Assist in the oversight of APP events including coordination and communication between internal departments and external prospects/clients