Partnership Marketing, Director

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The Hornets Sports & Entertainment is in an exciting new phase, with new leadership in both basketball and business, and a renewed commitment to elevating our franchise. Building on a strong foundation, we are focused on becoming a premier NBA organization—one that sets the standard both on and off the court. The Hornets are about much more than just basketball. We are about the energy of live sports and entertainment—an experience that is truly unmatched.

Beyond Hornets basketball, Spectrum Center serves as a premier destination for world-class concerts, family shows and marquee sporting events, bringing unforgettable experiences to Charlotte year-round.

We are deeply committed to our community, using our platform to create meaningful impact and drive positive change. We proudly represent the city of Charlotte, embracing its diversity, culture and unwavering spirit. As an organization, we strive to elevate our city by connecting people through the power of basketball and live entertainment, building something special for our fans, employees and community.

The Partnership Marketing, Director will manage and strengthen relationships with key partners, ensuring that partnerships are executed seamlessly and deliver lasting value for both Hornets Sports & Entertainment (HSE) and our partners. HSE includes the Charlotte Hornets, Greensboro Swarm, Spectrum Center Events and new business ventures. This role requires a deep understanding of partner businesses, a proactive approach to finding growth opportunities and the ability to collaborate with various teams to drive revenue.

You will manage a portfolio of high-level organizational accounts and oversee the entire current business partnership process, from onboarding and activation to renewals and upselling.

• Integrity
• Teamwork
• Competitiveness
• Candor
• Accountability
• Resilience

• Act as the main point of contact for assigned partners, building strong, strategic, long-term relationships.
• Understand each partner’s business and goals and identify ways to align them with HSE assets and initiatives.
• Hold regular strategy meetings with partners to ensure goals are met and explore new opportunities.
• Drive renewals and upsells by presenting innovative, customized solutions that deliver measurable value for partners.
• Work closely with sales, marketing and analytics teams to uncover new revenue opportunities and improve existing offerings.
• Create clear and compelling presentations and proposals that demonstrate the value of HSE partnerships.
• Oversee the delivery of partnership assets, ensuring timely and high-quality execution.
• Develop, in conjunction with Activation, detailed activation strategies for each partner, outlining goals, deliverables and timelines.
• Collaborate with partners to integrate their brand into HSE events, media and fan engagement activities in a way that resonates with audiences.
• Lead the preparation and delivery of partnership recaps, showcasing key successes and areas for improvement.
• Act as a mentor and guide to the team where needed.
• Ensure smooth communication and alignment between partners and internal teams.
• Represent the Partnership Marketing team in company-wide initiatives and cross-departmental projects.
• Use CRM systems, analytics tools and market research to provide partners with valuable insights and recommendations.
• Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to revenue, activation quality and partner satisfaction.
• Attend games and events to support partner activations and strengthen relationships.
• Maintain proactive communication with internal teams and external partners to ensure alignment and success.
• Demonstrate professionalism and uphold HSE brand standards in all interactions and deliverables.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field preferred.
• 6+ years of experience in partnership marketing, revenue generation, client management, or a related field, with a proven ability to drive revenue growth.
• In-depth knowledge of…