Director of Corporate Partnership

The Upshot League is a growing women's professional basketball league with teams in markets across the country, including the Jacksonville Waves, Charlotte Crown, Greensboro Groove, Savannah Steel, Baltimore Starlings, and Nashville Vibe. We're passionate about connecting national and regional brands to fans in every Upshot market through innovative, results-driven partnerships. As the league continues to grow, we're seeking a driven and experienced sales leader to lead corporate partnerships at the league level.

The Director of Corporate Partnerships is responsible for leading the Upshot League's corporate partnership business, generating new revenue by developing, selling, and managing league-wide sponsorship packages that reach fans in every Upshot market. This is a full-cycle sales and leadership role: you'll set league partnership strategy, prospect and close high-value national and regional deals, manage a portfolio of key league partners, and ensure long-term partner satisfaction and renewal.

This role is ideal for a motivated, strategic sales leader with a passion for sports, a proven track record in partnership or sponsorship sales, and the ability to build and lead a high-performing team.

• Partnership Strategy – Develop and execute the annual league-wide partnership sales strategy, including inventory planning, pricing, category exclusivity, and target brand lists.
• New Business Development – Proactively identify, prospect, and cultivate national and regional partnership opportunities through cold outreach, networking, agency relationships, and referrals, with a focus on high-value and multi-year deals.
• Full-Cycle Sales – Lead the complete sales process from initial contact through proposal development, negotiation, and contract execution.
• Customized Proposals – Design creative, multi-platform league sponsorship packages tailored to each partner's marketing objectives, incorporating league naming and presenting rights, broadcast and streaming inventory, digital and social media, league events and championships, in-venue assets across all markets, and hospitality.
• Revenue Goals – Own and exceed league partnership revenue targets on an annual basis as set by Upshot League leadership.
• Team Coordination – Work with team-level partnership staff across all Upshot markets to align league and local deals, protect category exclusivity, and deliver consistent partner activation in every market.
• Team Leadership – Recruit, train, and mentor league partnership sales and activation staff as the department grows, setting clear goals and holding the team accountable to results.
• Relationship Management – Serve as the primary point of contact for the league's top corporate partners and agency contacts, ensuring exceptional service and high renewal rates.
• Activation Coordination – Work with the league's partnership activation, marketing, and broadcast teams to ensure all contracted elements are fulfilled and deliver measurable value.
• Reporting & CRM Management – Maintain accurate records of all sales activity, pipeline, and partner data in the CRM, and provide regular revenue forecasts, partner recap reports, and updates to league leadership.
• Market Intelligence – Stay current on industry trends, the sports sponsorship landscape, and national brand marketing priorities to identify new partnership categories and opportunities.
• League Events – Attend games, league events, and championships across Upshot markets to host, entertain, and strengthen relationships with corporate partners and prospects. Regular travel required.

Required

• 5+ years of experience in corporate partnership, sponsorship, or B2B sales, preferably within a professional sports league,…