Director, Sponsorship and Business Development - League

Position: Director, Sponsorship and Business Development

Reporting to: SVP, Sponsorship and Business Development

About the UFL

The United Football League (UFL) is set to launch as the premier spring football platform, formed by the merging of the XFL and USFL in 2024. The UFL has eight teams located in Arlington (TX), Birmingham (AL), Detroit (MI), Houston (TX), San Antonio (TX), Memphis (TN), St. Louis (MO), and Washington D.C.

About the Role

The Director, Sponsorships & Business Development is a self-starter with sponsorship sales experience in sports and/or entertainment. This individual should possess strong sales acumen and knowledge of sports and entertainment. The key focus with this role is to sell League assets to national and local brands that will help to achieve the revenue goals and fan engagement objectives of the UFL. The Director will work with the SVP, the Executive team and management at the League office to support the strategic approach to driving long-term corporate partnership revenue for the UFL.

What you will do

• Develop and bring to market sponsorship proposals, fill potential partner pipeline and manage individual sales processes.
• Assist in the development and management of UFL sponsorship inventory, including updating all inventory, and adding new inventory when applicable.
• Assure UFL revenue goals are met on an annual basis.
• Strategize and collaborate with sponsors, agencies, and internal stakeholders to create fully integrated UFL themed marketing programs, keeping partner goals and key League initiatives top of mind.
• Participate in integrated meetings to enhance asset ideation and relay information to the team.
• Assist the client services team in management of multiple client relationships, including corporate sponsors, multiple agencies, and marketing teams.
• Maintain day-to-day relationships between partners, internal departments, and outside agencies.
• Provide accountability and influence in renewals and revenue development.
• Responsible for annual incremental dollar growth within the sponsorship department by upselling current sponsors on UFL controlled assets.

What you will bring

• Minimum of 10 years working within the sports industry or with sports brands, including experience in sponsorship sales and activation, negotiation, research, analytics and media.
• A strong preference will be given to candidates with client-side experience or agency/league/team experience.
• Strong brand marketer with understanding of partner categories, business and the sports/entertainment industry.
• Strong rolodex of contacts at national brands with experience in closing large, multi-year sponsorships
• Excellent sales, presentation, and communication skills.
• Have a client service mentality to support the development of long-term partner relationships.
• Capacity for creative and innovative thinking.
• Leader and self-starter with the ability to multi-task.
• Team player with strong cross-functional skills.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment.

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Additional Details

• Please note, the location of this role is flexible
• Primarily works in a remote office and/or an office environment but will include attending games and events in UFL team markets.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Regular travel to UFL team markets will be required during the season, North America.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule inclusive of weekends, nights and holidays required.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The UFL maintains a strong policy of equal opportunity in employment. It is our objective to recruit, hire and retain the most qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state or local law. Our equal employment philosophy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, promotions, transfers, job benefits and terminations.