What are the responsibilities and job description for the Corporate Partnerships Account Services Manager position at St. Louis Cardinals?
The Corporate Partnerships Account Services Manager will be an essential part of the St. Louis Cardinals Corporate Partnerships team, leading the execution, fulfillment, and optimization of key corporate sponsorships. This role will be responsible for ensuring that all partnership assets are delivered seamlessly while driving measurable value for both partners and the organization.
The manager will oversee a team responsible for day-to-day account management, activation planning, and client relationship cultivation. This position will also work closely with sales, marketing, special events, stadium operations, and Cardinals Productions to create impactful partnership activations that enhance the fan experience, brand engagement, and long-term partner satisfaction.
Key Responsibilities:
Team Leadership & Partner Service
- Manage and develop a team of Account Services executives, providing training, guidance, and leadership to ensure a best-in-class client service experience.
- Establish and maintain account service standards, ensuring the team adheres to best practices in communication, responsiveness, activation execution, and problem-solving.
- Oversee the day-to-day management and execution of corporate partnerships, ensuring contractual assets are activated efficiently and effectively.
- Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with corporate partners, serving as a primary point of contact for high-profile accounts.
- Work closely with the Corporate Partnerships Development team to identify opportunities for contract expansion and renewal.
- Ensure partners receive white-glove service, proactively anticipating needs and delivering innovative solutions.
Activation & Fulfillment
- Oversee the execution of partnership assets, including in-stadium signage (permanent and digital), marketing campaigns (digital, social, radio, and print), game-day and event activations, community programs and special events, hospitality, suites, and VIP experiences, Ballpark Village marketing integrations
- Liaison with internal departments such as Ticket Sales, Community Relations, Cardinals Care, Finance, and Stadium Operations to execute marketing programs that align with partner objectives.
- Ensure all marketing materials, approvals, and contractual elements are executed in adherence with the Cardinals' brand and legal guidelines.
- Oversee partner-related special events throughout the year, ensuring top-tier execution and engagement.
- Lead the execution of game-day activations, ensuring seamless partner engagement and execution.
- Coordinate tickets, suites, and hospitality experiences for corporate partners.
- Work closely with MLB Advanced Media, Ballpark Village, Cardinals Social Media and Cardinals Publications to coordinate advertising placements and fulfillment.
- Maintain detailed tracking of all partnership deliverables to ensure fulfillment accuracy and efficiency.
- Troubleshoot any activation issues on-site and provide real-time solutions to enhance partner satisfaction.
Strategic Planning
- Develop custom activation plans for partners, ensuring campaigns align with their marketing goals while maximizing fan engagement, in partnership with other internal departments.
- Work with the Corporate Partnerships Development and Strategy teams to provide consultative recommendations on new marketing platforms that generate additional revenue and enhance client relationships.
- Utilize sponsorship valuation and analytics tools (Relo Metrics, YouGov, etc.) to track partnership performance and demonstrate ROI to partners.
- Design and present partnership recap reports using a storytelling format, incorporating data-driven insights to highlight the value delivered.
Qualifications & Experience:
- 3-4 years minimum, 5 years recommended of experience in corporate partnerships, sponsorship activation, client services, or brand marketing, preferably in sports or entertainment.
- 1-2 years of leadership experience, managing employees and multiple projects simultaneously.
- Proven ability to manage high-profile corporate accounts and execute complex sponsorship activations.
- Strong understanding of brand marketing, event execution, and sponsorship best practices.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and a proactive, solutions-oriented approach.
- Experience in CRM systems (KORE, SponsorCX, Salesforce, etc.) and sponsorship valuation tools (Relo Metrics, YouGov, etc.).
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
- Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays based on business needs, game schedule, and partner activations.
- Travel may be required for partner meetings and industry events.
Success Metrics
- Achievement of high partner satisfaction scores through proactive service and engagement.
- 100% fulfillment of contractual deliverables in a timely and high-quality manner.
- Development of innovative activations that enhance the fan experience and drive measurable results.
- Growth of renewal rates and incremental revenue through strategic partner optimization.
- Consistent adherence to established account service standards, ensuring best practices across the team.
