Background
Location: Work-from-home; must be in greater Cincinnati area
Type: Full-time, permanent position
Division: Strategic Partnerships
Reports to: Executive Director, Strategic Partnerships (Cincinnati)

Overview
The Association of Pickleball Players | The APP Tour (APP) is dedicated to providing the best pickleball tournament experience for all. The APP, owned by Intersport, was founded in 2019 and serves professionals, senior professionals, and amateurs in the fastest growing sport in the country. The first and only tour officially sanctioned by USA Pickleball, the 2025 APP Tour slate boasts 19 tournament stops, in addition to Signature, International, and Collegiate Series events. The APP also prides itself on developing the next generation of champions through its APP Next Series and other youth initiatives. You can view the 2025 Tour schedule here: https://www.theapp.global/tour

The Position
The APP is seeking to add a successful sponsorship sales professional to its Strategic Partnerships team. The Manager will be responsible for generating revenue for the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) Cincinnati event – the APP Vlasic Classic. The Manager will also manage/provide service to the event title partner, and additional partners, and represent the tournament in the Cincinnati community by engaging with a range of constituents. The right candidate will have proven success in sponsorship sales, relationships with key clients in the Cincinnati DMA, and the ability to create new relationships among buyers. A candidate must possess a consultative selling approach and ideally be able to detail success in having sold five- and/or six-figure sponsorship agreements.

Responsibilities
General

Embody and reflect the APP’s performance-based culture and commit him/herself and team to the highest standards for all work
Work effectively with cross-functional teams to deliver executional excellence

Business Development and Sales Support

Provide expertise on the APP’s commercial offerings, comprehensive and detailed knowledge of a breadth of integrated rights and benefits (i.e. assets) and be able to conceptualize and sell-in creative activation concepts that meet the business and brand objectives of partners and prospective partners
Prospect, pitch, and close six-figure sponsorship and media agreements with clients and agencies, nationally
Provide high-level, peer-to-peer executive level client engagement among signed partners
Create/edit PowerPoint presentations (e.g. decks), benefits summaries, program/event recaps, etc., all with a high-level aesthetic and an exacting level of detail
Provide research, concepting, and/or project management for a variety of ad hoc assignments
Develop creative integration concepts to assist in the sales process
Provide research and project management for a variety of ad hoc assignments

Partner Management

Establish himself/herself as a trusted strategic business partner and “go to” resource for corporate partners
Demonstrate leadership and presence in all corporate partner client/prospect interaction – meetings, calls/video conferences, correspondence, etc.
Represent the tournament with the highest degree of professionalism and enthusiasm among various constituents and events, e.g. community events, chamber of commerce, networking opportunities, etc.

Event Execution

Assist in the execution of tournament-related events and corporate partner activations, including coordination and communication between internal departments and external partners/prospects, where appropriate

Team Management

Apply a genuine eagerness to mentor, grow, and learn from a diverse and talented team
Work collaboratively with all members of integrated team

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree
Minimum of four (4) years’ full-time experience in sponsorship and/or media sales
Strong understanding of the sales process with a passion for pitching and closing new business
Ability to detail a history of having sold numerous six-figure sponsorship and/or media sales agreements
Current key relationships with sponsorship and/or media buyers at clients and agencies nationally
Ability to develop new relationships with sponsorship and/or media buyers
Must have a strong client-direct/agency network of sponsorship marketing decision-makers in the Cincinnati marketplace
Exemplary verbal and written communication skills with high-level presentation ability
Flexibility to work both independently and collaboratively in an entrepreneurial environment
Proficiency in PowerPoint, Word, Excel

Salary and Benefits
The targeted salary range for this position is $55,000 to $75,000, depending on full-time, non-internship professional relevant experience. This position also includes commissions, based on sponsorship sales, details of which will be shared separately.

This position includes medical, dental, vision, parental leave benefits and 401(k) with company match for qualified employees. This position does not include bonuses, or other incentives.

The Association of Pickleball Players, LLC. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Manager, Strategic Partnerships (Cincinnati)

Offer summary

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Job description

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