Director of Corporate Partnerships

Job Title: Director, Corporate Partnerships

Department: Partnerships

Reports to: VP of Corporate Partnerships & Premium Hospitality

Position Summary:

This position will be responsible for responsible for the generation of new corporate partnership revenue for FC Cincinnati. In this role, you will collaborate with teams across the organization and build positive relationships with new corporate partners to drive partnership development initiatives and exceed sales targets and quotas. Sports property or industry experiences are preferred but not required.

What You’ll Do:

• Responsible for cultivating new business on behalf of Corporate Partnerships team by developing proposals, generating leads, conducting presentations, and negotiating contracts.
• Ability to sell across all FC Cincinnati assets and inventory with focus on emerging sponsorship assets including FC Cincinnati, FC Cincinnati 2, Mixed use development, and other incoming projects.
• Negotiate contract terms with C‐suite decision makers.
• Effectively qualify leads and maintains an active pipeline of potential business opportunities.
• Responsible for meeting with prospects out of the office on a consistent basis.
• Build new prospects by consistently networking and actively making sales calls to new clients.
• Comply with all departmental CRM guidelines to ensure information is accurate, deliverables are tracked and fulfilled, and account information is always up to date.
• Assist and engage with prospects and partners during FC Cincinnati games and events.
• Collaborate with multiple departments in a positive and respectful manner.
• Proactively anticipates, comprehends, and resolves prospects’ needs and issues and tactfully handles and resolves them.
• Develop strategic new business relationships with local, regional, and national companies.

What You’ll Bring:

• Skilled negotiator with the ability to conduct and lead sales presentations
• A strong listening capability with proven ability to really understand clients’ needs and wants
• A passion for helping your potential clients become successful and share in their success
• Excellent written and verbal communication, customer service and resolution skills
• Flexibility with changing priorities
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload
• Ability to quickly develop understanding of marketplace on both a local and national level
• A creative salesperson with ability to channel creativity into listening and meeting clients’ goals
• Ability to build positive working relationships with clients and peers at all levels within the organization
• Ability to work with and maintain highly confidential information is required
• Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and efficiently lead and prioritize multiple projects at once
• Ability to influence C‐level clients
• Ability to work outside of regular business hours including but not limited to weekends and holidays as required by the FCC game schedule, special events, and projects

What You’ll Need:

• Bachelor’s Degree with an emphasis on business, management, sports, sales, or related field
• Proven track record of selling B2B and minimum six figure deals
• Proven ability to work in team environment and effectively influence and communicate with C‐Level executives
• Proven ability to work with agencies to generate new deals
• 3‐5 years of experience in sales; experience working in the sports and entertainment industry preferred

Why You’ll Love FCC:

• Generous paid time off and holiday time
• Option for one work from home day per week (by department and schedule)
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 401k plan with company match
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Maternity & Paternity Leave and Family Building Benefit
• Employee Assistance Program and free subscription to the Calm App
• Discount off merchandise in the FCC team store
• Community volunteer opportunities
• Professional development and frequent team-building opportunities
• Employee recognition programs and referral programs
• Opportunity for complimentary staff tickets to home FC Cincinnati matches

About FCC

Founded in 2015, FC Cincinnati is a Major League Soccer team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. After achieving significant growth and success in the United Soccer League, the team joined MLS in 2019. FCC won the 2023 Supporters’ Shield – the annual award given to the team with the most points in the regular season – and clinched a spot in the 2023 MLS Playoffs for the second straight year. With a diverse ownership group with strong ties to Cincinnati, the club strives to unite the community both on and off the pitch through FCC Foundation, and its dedication to improving the lives of children through soccer and those in the West End Community. FC Cincinnati are committed to ongoing growth and recognizing the vital importance of company culture. The club’s DNA code, created by the staff for the staff, is actively implemented every day. FCC has been recognized locally and nationally as one of Sports Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in Sports 2023, named to the Honor List as one of “75 Great Sports Companies to Call Home”; on the Business Courier’s Fast 55 as one of Greater Cincinnati’s fastest growing private companies; and named to The Enquirer’s Top Workplaces 2024.

Learn More!

TQL Stadium: learn more

Mercy Health Training Center: learn more

MLS NextPro:  learn more

FC Cincinnati is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.