BACKGROUND:
The city of Detroit welcomed the Lions in 1934. Since then, the organization has become one of the most recognizable and stable franchises in sports. The Lions dominated the NFL in the 1950s with four division titles and three league championships. Under head coach Buddy Parker, the team won back‐to‐back world crowns in 1952 and 1953, defeating Cleveland on both occasions. Under the guidance of William Clay Ford and the Ford Family, the Lions have produced their fair share of Notable Hall of Famers including: Doak Walker, Dutch Clark, Bill Dudley, Alex Wojciechowicz, Dick "Night Train" Lane, Charlie Sanders, and Lem Barney. In the decade of the 90’s, the Lions caught lightning in a bottle with the drafting of running back Barry Sanders. Sanders became arguably one of the best running backs to ever play the game. Since their inception, the Lions play host to one of the best traditions in sports, the Annual Thanksgiving Day game. The Lions are currently led by Sheila Ford Hamp.
On April 1 2002, Detroit opened the team's $35.5 million headquarters and training facility in Allen Park. That move was followed by the Lions' first game ever at Ford Field, the $500 million downtown stadium. The home of the Detroit Lions is comprised of approximately 1.85 million square feet with four levels of suites, a level of club seating, and a ground level designated for restaurants, concessions and retail. The unique design incorporates the old Hudson’s warehouse (established in the 1920’s) as part of the industry‐leading sports and entertainment development which includes banquet facilities, restaurants, office space, retail services, food courts, lounge areas and all private suites. Ford Field plays host to over 120 event days and holds over 65,000 in attendance.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Sr. Director of Partnership Marketing & Solution will oversee select partner-related activities including activation and execution of all service-related requirements for contractually obligated sponsorship elements and media assets.
This position will also oversee Partnership Solutions which is responsible for projects and internal reporting regarding partner contracts and CRM input as well as building out departmental timelines as to partner touchpoints, event operations & scheduling, internal activation processes, aiding in the origination of presentation collateral, working with other departments to build out new partnership platforms, etc.
This position will build strong relationships with a large portfolio of clients and lead staff in the renewal and retention of sponsors. This role is expected to lead the delivery of a first-class 365-day service approach.
This position must also have a thorough understanding of all aspects of the Corporate Partnership department’s overall operations, including (but not limited to) special event planning, community programs, signage management, marketing, media management, and executing/capturing case studies and best in class examples.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The Sr. Director of Partnership Marketing Solutions position will have daily responsibilities including, without limitation, the following:
· Oversight and day-to-day management and development of Partnership Marketing and Solutions Team
· Manage our sponsorship inventory, including the tracking/updating of all inventory, adding new inventory when applicable, communicating updates to the team weekly/monthly.
· Ownership of the touchpoint management schedule to ensure all Activation & Service team members are facilitating all their client touchpoints on a timely basis.
· Influence renewal process and responsibility to internal relationships in delivering 365 service platform
· Budget and manage all department expenses related to partner contractual fulfillment as well as partner events/touchpoint activity
· Participate in integrated meetings to enhance asset ideation and relay information to team.
· Engage in activity with team to complete contract deliverables and best practices.
· Assist in the management of seasonal interns, including annual review of job description, interviewing, on-boarding and tracking of goals and responsibilities.
· Maintain day to day relationships between partners and internal departments.
· Work with partners to identify measurable business objectives specific to their goals.
· Co-develop and execute partnership activation plans that most effectively leverage our assets and capabilities, builds our partners’ business and delivers on objectives.
· Manage contract process with coordinators and full execution of contracts.
· Entertaining and hosting high-level corporate executives.
· Manage his/her clients CRM entries to ensure information is accurate, deliverables are tracked and fulfilled, and account information is up to date always.
· Track all account inventory across all mediums, including in-stadium, print, radio, television, digital and game-day activation, while providing continual status-updates to the Partnership sales team
· Attend client meetings and assist in presenting corporate sponsorships sales proposals.
· Accountability and influence in renewals, upgrades and revenue development
· Work collaboratively to develop new sellable marketing, community, NFL initiatives and digital platforms our sales team can use to monetize business
· Manage the end of season recap process, which includes the preparation of partner recaps and presenting them to our partners.
· Work to guide the renewal process in conjunction with the sales team to ensure high retention rates while maximizing our partner’s investment dollars.
· Game-day responsibilities include activation setup, entertaining clients and fulfilling sponsorship contract obligations
· Event planning, production, and execution for partner-sponsored events and/or meetings
· Work with NFL sponsorship colleagues sharing ideas and industry news
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
· Assist in incorporating appropriate market data market research into sponsorship proposals and partner recaps
· Natural ability to develop a strong rapport and establish long-term relationships with both clients and co-workers
· Will accept other responsibilities and duties required by the supervisor consistent with the objectives and essential functions of this position. Such responsibilities shall be incorporated into the position description if they are ongoing.
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:
· Bachelor’s degree required
· Minimum 5 years of successful sponsorship fulfillment experience with a major league
professional sports team or high-profile entertainment entity, while working in a competitive sales environment
· Experience formulating marketing plans and promotions from development to execution
· Minimum computer aptitude required: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
· Excellent writing and verbal communication skills
· Strong organizational and time management skills
· Able to work extended hours including games and events in the evening and on weekends
· Demonstrates an ability to work independently and to be self-motivated
· Exceptional problem solving and multi-tasking skills
· Comfortable working in a sales environment and having basic negotiation discussions
· Attention to detail and ability to thrive in a deadline driven environment
· A valid Driver’s License and a good driving record
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Physical Requirements:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Intellectual/Social Demands:
While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is continuously asked to multi-task under time limits. Position requires constant attention to precise details and accuracy of specified standards including: following simple to complex (more than 3 steps) instructions, and concentration which frequently extends beyond 30 minutes at a time.
This position also requires constant use of interpersonal skills including: ability to communicate with others in person, via telephone, email, and via written correspondence and to accurately and professional convey information.
Physical Demands:
While performing duties of job, the employee constantly operates a computer and other office devices such telephones, copy machines, fax machines, regularly move about inside the office to access storage areas, cabinets and office machinery; constantly communicate via telephone, email and in-person with others and exchange accurate information. This position requires the employee to have the ability to reach, bend, sit and/or stand, climb or balance, kneel, crouch or crawl. This position requires the employee to occasionally lift objects of 10-80 pounds.
Work Environment:
The duties of this position are performed in a variety of environments. Work may take place in doors in an office environment where the noise level in the work environment is usually minimal-to-moderate. Work may also take place outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, such as during pre-game events, and at football stadiums were the noise level can be very loud.
In order to do this job, the employee will need to be able to visually see and view the event from heights of 7-10 stories high.
