Director, Marketing Partnerships

Little League Baseball, Incorporated is a non-profit organization that organizes youth baseball and softball leagues worldwide. The organization is best known for hosting the Little League World Series (LLWS), an international tournament held annually in Williamsport that showcases top teams from around the world!

Summary:

The Director, Marketing Partnerships serves as a lead client relationship manager, responsible for demonstrating strategic leadership, effective communication, and business acumen. This role will drive innovative ideas that align with Little League’s objectives while collaborating with Marketing, Communications, Operations, and Philanthropy teams. The Director will also lead marketing campaign development, manage sponsorships, and oversee team development.

Core Responsibilities:

Organizational Strategy & Partnership Development:

• Develop impactful marketing campaigns aligned with Little League's strategic goals.
• Present custom strategies for sponsors to drive value and increase partnership equity.
• Engage with local league volunteers, serving as a key point of contact.

Partnership & Project Management:

• Manage sponsorship relationships, setting partnership goals and ensuring value delivery.
• Oversee onboarding of new partners and communicate regularly with sponsor representatives.
• Implement best practices for account team operations, including meeting protocols and reporting.
• Travel frequently to visit sponsors, present marketing plans, and assist with event activations.

Revenue Generation & Business Development:

• Manage and implement revenue-driving business partnerships.
• Identify opportunities to expand partnerships through new assets, donations, or programming.
• Support sales efforts for new sponsorships by providing insights and presentations.

Financial & Resource Management:

• Manage approved budgets, revenue targets, and operational expenses.

Fan & Event Management:

• Develop activation strategies for major events.
• Approve sponsor activation plans involving digital, social, and media promotions.
• Lead sponsor elements at key events such as the Little League World Series, Sponsor Summit, and Congress.
• Ensure sponsor commitments are fulfilled to maximize exposure.

Agency & Partnership Management:

• Manage agency partnerships to support sponsor activations and budget goals.

Licensing & Retail Integration:

• Identify opportunities to integrate licensing with sponsorship partnerships.

Leadership & Team Development:

• Manage direct reports and ensure sponsorship marketing deliverables align with objectives.
• Collaborate across departments to enhance sponsor programs.

Research & Measurement:

• Develop custom measurement strategies for sponsors and present performance recaps.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred (Business, Sales, Marketing, or relevant fields).
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in sponsorship management, revenue retention, and live event coordination.
• Proven leadership and personnel development experience.
• Strong understanding of sponsorship agreements and contract management.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and project management skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office365, Adobe Creative Cloud, and other relevant tools.
• Willingness to work non-standard hours, including evenings and weekends, to meet sponsor needs.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions:

• Standard office setting with flexible collaboration spaces.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 lbs. for event setup as needed.
• Frequent travel by car or air, with flexibility for off-hour meetings.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Little League Baseball, Incorporated provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals, ensuring a discrimination-free environment based on race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Travel:

• Independent and frequent business travel required.
• Use of personal vehicle may be required with appropriate reimbursement.