Sr Manager, Partnership Solutions and Operations

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Sr. Manager, Partnership Solutions and Operations is a creative story-telling and innovative thinker who will help support building strategic partnerships and work collaboratively with the LPGA’s marketing and sales groups. This individual will create and foster relationships spanning across a diverse slate of organizations. They will also assist in managing the business side of the partnership process on behalf of LPGA’s clients. From an internal perspective, this individual will work closely with the LPGA Global Business Development, Corporate Partnership, and Business Intelligence teams on projects including, but not limited to, ideation on and assistance in executing partnership plans, new inventory creation, reporting etc. to develop organic and meaningful partnerships for clients. This person will also lead the departments major hospitality programs each year. As a member of the Solutions & Operations team, this individual will be accountable for contributing to the achievement of overall individual, team, quarterly, and annual budgeting goals.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Support the sales, consulting, and business development groups by aiding in various tasks and basic admin responsibilities including conducting market research, financial analysis, applying data and analytics to sales proposals, and managing the LPGA’s CRM system and reporting.
• Assist in the strategy, storytelling, and platform development efforts across LPGA’s assets.
• Support the Global Business Development team in prospecting strategy efforts, including identifying key categories, brands, and marketing initiatives to leverage.
• Sourcing contacts, engaging, and managing the status of open sales opportunities and pipeline in CRM, crafting, and preparing unique partnership proposals and presentations and providing client hospitality throughout the LPGA season.
• Assist in building impactful partnership packages that will help a brand accomplish key objectives and KPI’s.
• Participate in sales, corporate partnership, and client meetings.
• Works cross functionally with other teams to ensure revenue targets are maximized.
• Work with data and analytics teams to identify key insights for sales materials and presentations.
• Assist in developing the strategy and execution of sponsorship activation plans for Consulting clients.
• Help manage and identify available assets, as well as building new inventory and assets where needed while identifying opportunities across key business stakeholders and departments.
• Assist with a variety of customer-focused events, including department hospitality programming
• Support the daily operations of the business, assisting the sales planning & operations team with overall strategy, planning, and development.
• Support the development and ideation of commercial marketing platforms across LPGA’s Global Portfolio
• Collaborate and help lead brainstorming sessions.
• Assist with workflow best practices and efficiencies.
• Become a platform expert in select marketing platform initiatives (i.e. sustainability, women’s empowerment, diversity, equity, and inclusion, etc.)
• Other duties as assigned.

WHO YOU ARE

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, sports management, communications etc., required.
• Minimum of 6+ years of relevant experience with sponsorship sales, brand strategy, and/or activation in a team, league, brand, or agency setting.
• Strong communication (both written and verbal), interpersonal skills, and analytical skills required
• Strong organizational and time management skills a must; ability to manage multiple priorities with conflicting deadlines and a strong attention to detail
• Experience in business development, sponsorship sales, brand strategy, and partnership stewardship in a Sponsorship Sales capacity.
• Experience using a CRM system and knowledge of sponsorship research tools (i.e., MVP Index, Nielson, Meltwater).
• Proven track record of innovative strategy development and sponsorship revenue generation.
• Comprehensive sports or golf industry knowledge with a track record of developing relationships, achieving partner objectives, and managing creative projects.
• A creative thinker with superior communication and interpersonal skills, particularly in developing effective presentations, writing proposals with strong storytelling capabilities, and relationship-building.
• The ability to anticipate problems/issues and identify opportunities; the ability to think strategically, creatively, and purposefully while multi-tasking issues and projects.
• Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple projects and clients simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, commitment to LPGA’s mission, and a passion for purpose-driven partnerships, including but not limited to women’s empowerment, DEI, community, etc.
• Ability to build strong relationships both internally across the organization, as well as externally with clients.
• Strong computer skills utilizing the Microsoft Office suite of products.
• Domestic and international travel may be required and must be able to work evenings and weekends as needed.