Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. League One Volleyball (LOVB) is a mission-led sports performance, training, and media enterprise focused on reimagining women's sports and growing volleyball. The Senior Manager, Partnerships will identify, negotiate, and secure cash-based sponsorships and value-in-kind partnerships across LOVB Pro and LOVB Club while leading sales pipeline development, deal structuring, cross-functional activation, and strategic planning.
Responsibilities
- Lead outbound efforts to secure brand partnerships across sponsorship and value-based models, expanding LOVB’s commercial reach and brand ecosystem
- Develop and manage a dynamic sales pipeline with clear next steps, CRM documentation, and forecasting transparency
- Collaborate with our agency partner to align outreach strategy, define lead ownership, and minimize overlap
- Coordinate with cross-functional teams to translate league, event, and athlete IP into actionable storytelling and partnership strategies
- Structure and negotiate partnership agreements that may include a combination of financial contributions, product or service exchange, or co-branded activations
- Partner with Legal, Finance, and leadership to ensure deal terms meet strategic objectives and organizational compliance
- Track performance against commercial goals using CRM and internal tracking tools
- Support a smooth transition from contract to activation, aligning with internal operations and marketing teams to ensure execution meets expectations
- Host and support partners at matches and events, serving as a brand ambassador for LOVB on-site
- Stay attuned to trends in sports sponsorship, integrated marketing, and strategic partnerships to continuously refine sales strategy
- Attend industry events and conferences to represent LOVB and grow our visibility among brand and agency decision-makers
- Partner with Finance and internal leads to forecast partnership contributions, ensuring initiatives meet both revenue and value delivery goals
- Help define KPIs for hybrid partnerships and track progress toward business impact
Skills
- ****Strategic Sales Acumen****: Proven success in driving partnership or sponsorship sales, with a strong track record of securing high-impact, multi-stakeholder brand deals—preferably within sports, media, or entertainment
- ****Executive-Level Communication****: Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to engage, influence, and build trust with senior brand marketers, C-suite executives, and agency partners
- ****Insight-Driven Storytelling****: Skilled at crafting compelling, insight-led partnership narratives and pitch materials that align brand objectives with LOVB's platform and values
- ****Negotiation & Deal Management****: Experienced in structuring and negotiating complex agreements, collaborating with Legal, Finance, and other internal stakeholders to drive results
- ****Operational Rigor****: Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple deal cycles simultaneously; proficient in CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce) and presentation platforms (PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides)
- ****Cross-Functional Collaboration****: Adept at working across teams to shape and activate integrated partnership programs; brings a collaborative mindset and the ability to influence without direct authority
- ****Strategic Influence****: Contributes to broader partnership strategy and go-to-market planning; proactively shares insights and market intelligence to help evolve LOVB's commercial approach
- ****Autonomy & Agility:**** Self-starter who thrives in fast-paced, evolving environments and can balance long term thinking with day-to-day execution
- ****Value in Kind (VIK) Expertise (Required)****: Proven experience negotiating, structuring, and managing VIK agreements within professional sports, sponsorship sales, or partnerships. Candidates must demonstrate a strong ability to maximize non-cash contributions to deliver measurable business value
- ****Education and Experience:****Bachelor's degree required; preferred fields include Business, Marketing, Communications, or a related discipline
- ****Education and Experience:****5–8 years of professional experience in partnerships, sponsorship sales, strategic marketing, or business development—preferably within the sports, entertainment, or similar industries
- ****Education and Experience:****Proven track record of successfully securing and scaling revenue-generating partnerships, with measurable impact on business growth
- Demonstrated ability to balance sales performance with brand alignment, ensuring long-term value for both partners and the organization
- * Ability to operate a computer and use a keyboard, mouse, and video conferencing tools
- * Ability to clearly communicate via video, phone, and written channels
- ****Location:****Remote (U.S.-based) with occasional travel for meetings and business-related events
- ****Work Environment & Physical Requirements (Remote):****Occasional travel may be required for client meetings and events with heavy travel during Pro season
- ****Mission & Cultural Alignment (Preferred)****: Passion for women's sports and a belief in LOVB's community-first approach to growing the game
- ****Industry Experience (Preferred)****: Background in professional sports, sponsorship sales, or partnerships is strongly preferred
Benefits
- Remote (U.S.-based) work arrangement
Company Overview