Job Description
WORK OPTION: 4 days a week in the New York, NY office
The NBA is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace. To safeguard our employees and their families, our visitors, and the broader community from COVID-19, and in consideration of recommendations from health authorities and the NBA’s own advisors, any individual working onsite in our New York and New Jersey offices must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The NBA will discuss accommodations for individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.
Position Summary:
At the WNBA, we're passionate about growing and celebrating the game of basketball! Through the intensity of the game and the outstanding athletic skill of our players, we deliver excitement to hundreds of millions of fans around the world. As a global sports and media business, the WNBA is so much more! While Basketball Operations runs the league's on-court activities, other departments manage relationships with television and digital media partners, develop marketing partnerships with some of the world's most recognizable companies, lead all aspects of the licensing of WNBA merchandise, and handle a wide range of responsibilities that drive the WNBA's success.
Reporting to the WNBA Business Development lead, this position will support the WNBA’s sponsorship sales efforts with the goal of growing the league’s partner roster, driving new commercial opportunities, and improving the business solutions and pitch process for large-scale, integrated marketing partnerships.
Major Responsibilities:
- Drive revenue by supporting the development of solutions-based, customized, and fully integrated WNBA marketing partnerships
- Lead the creation and design of customized partner pitch decks and proposals, as well as WNBA sales marketing materials (e.g., case studies, sales collateral)
- Attend brand and agency meetings with business development and media partnerships teams to pitch thought-starters and proposals to senior level marketing decision makers
- Support the partner management team on renewals, upsells, recap materials and general ideation and creative as needed
- Coordinate discussion and brainstorm meetings with key WNBA departments (e.g., Growth, Player Programs, Events, Marketing, Basketball Operations, etc.) and cross-functional subgroups (e.g., Activation, Social Responsibility, Media Partnerships) to identify, develop, and optimize new and existing sellable marketing programs and benefits while aligning these opportunities to the WNBA’s growth strategy
- Liase with WNBA Business Intelligence and Fan & Partner Insights teams to leverage research and data for partner and prospect needs
- Provide partnership expertise to WNBA subgroups in the comprehension of contractual elements and understanding of the leagues’ and partners' business goals, target audiences, and marketing strategies
- Maintain deep knowledge of sponsorship best practices and have a finger on the pulse of sponsorship activity in priority categories
- Provide support in other areas that will ensure the expediency of proposal and pitch creation and optimization of the business solutions process
Required Education/Professional Experience:
- 5+ years of proven experience in integrated marketing, business solutions, or partnerships at a league, team, agency or media company
- Bachelor’s Degree preferred
Required Skills/Knowledge:
- Creative and design experience, including proficiency in Adobe Photoshop & Creative Suite
- Passion for women's sports and crafting innovative, purpose-driven brand partnerships
- Demonstrated relationship management skills both internally and externally (including with senior executives); ability to adapt to various personalities and working styles
- Energetic, team player with an entrepreneurial approach
- Forward-thinking, strategic, and revenue-minded
- Understanding of the sports sponsorship landscape
- Effective at verbal and written communication
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Salary Range: $110,000 - $125,000
Job Posting Title: Manager
The NBA does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or any other third parties. Any unsolicited resume sent to the NBA will be considered NBA property, and the NBA will not pay a fee should it hire the subject of any unsolicited resume.
The NBA considers applicants for all positions on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs, and without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, alienage or citizenship status, ancestry, marital status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, veteran status, familial status, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
About the WNBA
The WNBA is a bold, progressive basketball league that stands for the power of women. Featuring 12 teams, the W is a unique sports property that combines competition and entertainment with a commitment to diversity and inclusion and social responsibility. Through its world-class athletes, the in-game fan experience, TV and digital broadcasts, digital and social content and community outreach programs, the league celebrates and elevates the game of basketball and the culture around it.