Now Hiring - Charlotte Hornets - Manager of Partnership Development, Greensboro Swarm in Greensboro, NC

Full description of the position

The Manager of Partnership Development, for the Greensboro Swarm, the NBA Affiliate of the Charlotte Hornets serves as a vital role on the Corporate Partnerships team as a revenue generator. You are responsible for driving new business, retention and supporting the overall sponsorship sales strategy of the Greensboro Swarm. You will focus on generating integrated corporate partnerships through prospecting, relationship-building and strategic sales presentations. Reporting directly to the Senior Manager of Revenue, the Manager will also oversee the Partnership sales and marketing team. Core Values HSE embodies the following core values: * Integrity * Teamwork * Competitiveness * Candor * Accountability * Resilience Essential Duties and Responsibilities Sales Strategy & Execution * Lead the day-to-day initiatives and execution of revenue strategies across partnerships to meet or exceed annual revenue targets. * Conduct high-level sales conversations with key decision-makers via in-person meetings, outbound calls, virtual presentations, Fieldhouse tours and offsite visits. * Create and sell impactful, fully integrated marketing and partnership solutions to local, regional and national brands. * Build and maintain a robust pipeline of prospective partners across key categories. * Utilize data and market research to identify new opportunities for growth and innovation. Prospecting & Pipeline Management * Identify and pursue new business leads through creative prospecting and industry research. * Cultivate leads provided by the organization while developing independent outreach strategies. * Utilize KORE and other CRM systems to track activity, maintain prospect profiles, log communication, and manage deal points and financials. Team Leadership & Collaboration * Oversee the entire partnership department, including direct supervision of the Account Manager, Partnership Activation and Coordinator of Partnership Activation. * Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching and support to ensure team alignment, goal achievement, and professional development. * Foster collaboration between sales (development) and fulfillment (marketing) functions to ensure seamless execution of partnership agreements. * Serve as the central point of contact for partnership strategy, communication, and coordination across internal departments. Reporting & Analysis * Prepare and deliver accurate weekly revenue and activity reports to the Senior Manager of Revenue. * Compile, enter and forecast sales data, billing, contract terms and fulfillment details using tools such as Tableau, KORE and internal tracking systems. Relationship Development * Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders (ticketing, marketing, community relations) and external decision-makers to drive partnership alignment and execution. * Attend networking events, client meetings, seat visits and other industry functions to foster long-term business relationships. * Ensure a premium client experience through ongoing communication, touchpoints, and game-day hospitality. Game Day & Event Presence * Attend all home games and key events to represent the partnership team, host clients and ensure successful fulfillment of partnership elements. * Support the execution of partner activations and ensure client satisfaction during events. * Assist in developing long-term renewal and upsell strategies for corporate partners. * Oversee special projects and initiatives as assigned by the Senior Manager of Revenue or Team President. * Meet and exceed personal and team sales goals established at the beginning of each fiscal year. Cross-Functional Collaboration * Represent the revenue department in strategic planning and budget discussions. * Foster a collaborative and flexible work environment, jumping in to support other departments as needed. * Serve as a key member of the leadership team, helping shape organizational culture and strategy. * Demonstrate professionalism and uphold HSE brand standards in all interactions and deliverables. Required Skills, Experience, and Abilities To perform the job successfully, you should demonstrate the following competencies associated with the essential functions of this job. * Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Sports Management, or a related field, preferred. * 2-4 years of sales experience, preferably in corporate partnerships, sponsorships or B2B sales. * Proven ability to close new business and maintain strong client relationships. * Experience with CRM systems. * Strong negotiation skills with experience structuring, pricing and closing partnership deals. * Prior experience in minor league or G League sports business operations. * Deep knowledge of sponsorship trends and strategies in the sports & entertainment industry. * Strong communication, presentation and relationship-building skills. * Results-oriented, with a focus on surpassing organization goals. * Professional demeanor with the ability to engage effectively with all organizational levels and external stakeholders. * Strong leadership and team management abilities. * Excellent verbal and written communication skills, adaptable to different audiences. * Passionate about the entertainment industry with innovative, strategic thinking. * Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. * Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and select holidays, as well as occasional travel for events, meetings and conferences. Additional Information This is a full time benefit eligible position. HSE is dedicated to creating and upholding a welcoming environment that celebrates diversity. HSE provides valuable benefits and competitive time off policies to help you and your family lead healthy, balanced lives. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. All requests for medical or religious accommodations to perform the stated job duties will be considered.