Director, Corporate Partnerships

Excel Sports Management is an industry-leading sports agency representing top-tier talent, blue-chip brands and marquee properties. Our success is rooted in our people, our high character reputation and our commitment to creating a diverse and welcoming workplace. We focus on team chemistry, collaboration, strong relationships, valuable networks, and ambitious ideas to deliver innovative solutions that keep our clients and agency ahead of the curve.

Excel Sports Management is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

Position Summary: Excel Sports Management is seeking a highly motivated and focused sponsorship sales executive to join our growing Properties division. Based in either our New York City or West Hollywood office, this individual will work closely with the Vice President, Corporate Partnerships, who leads the agency’s commercial partnership efforts for a new motorsports property client. The role will involve direct interaction with the client's senior commercial leadership team and support the development and execution of the team's sponsorship strategy. Key responsibilities include driving the sale of partnership assets, including title sponsorships, founding partnerships, kit sponsorships, team and driver intellectual property rights, and official category partnerships. The role will also support broader sponsorship sales and commercialization services across Excel's portfolio of domestic and international sports and entertainment properties.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Prospect and identify qualified companies to approach regarding marquee partnership assets Excel has been retained to sell on behalf of the motorsports client and other clients (professional and collegiate sports teams, leagues, venues, etc.);
• Proactively construct and maintain a brand prospect pipeline across multiple categories and territories for potential opportunities across Excel's client roster;
• Understand the marketing and business objectives of prospective clients and their agencies to determine how a partnership with the motorsports property and Excel clients can help them achieve their goals;
• Secure meetings with decision-makers at prospective companies, building trust, empathy, and demonstrating a deep understanding of best-in-class brand and sports marketing practices;
• Present, negotiate, and close partnership deals, working with counsel through contract execution, for clients of Excel's Properties division;
• Deploy a consultative, idea-first sales approach to help brands identify optimal partnerships to pursue with Excel clients;
• Work collaboratively with the Marketing Solutions department to:
• Build the narrative/storyline for corporate sales opportunities;
• Structure impactful presentations for prospective partners;
• Opportunistically pivot conversations to additional Excel sales verticals, including talent marketing (e.g., basketball, baseball, golf, football, media), brand marketing (consulting, analytics, hospitality), executive search engagements (Excel Search & Advisory), and owned and operated events;
• Establish and deepen relationships with senior-level decision-makers at major corporations, teams, leagues, venues, and governing bodies;
• Leverage Excel Sports and client hosting assets to develop new relationships and further existing ones;
• All other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required;
• 7–10 years of direct, relevant work experience at a team, league, property, and/or sales agency;
• Must have a proven sales track record of delivering and supporting 7 and 8-figure annual sponsorship deals;
• Must be a self-starter and comfortable with a dynamic, fast-paced work environment; global sports and entertainment experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must have an established network inclusive of senior brand, agency, and/or property decision-makers;
• Must be a natural and confident salesperson with a proven ability to generate creative ideas and develop proposals that meet and exceed potential partners' business objectives;
• Must have the demonstrated ability to work in a highly collaborative environment with peers and wider team members;
• Must be a persistent and consistent relationship builder;
• Must have the ability to manage multiple projects and brand conversations while being responsive to the needs of the division and peers;
• Must have excellent presentation, written, and verbal communication skills;
• Must have the ability to communicate the value of partnership versus pure media as a marketing solution;
• Must demonstrate high energy and a personality that thrives in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment — particularly well suited to the dynamic world of Formula 1;
• Must have the ability to demonstrate uncompromised judgment and discretion regarding interpersonal relationships.

The pay range for this position is: $140,000 per year - $150,000 per year. This position is also eligible for benefits and discretionary bonus.  

Please note that the foregoing compensation information is a good-faith assessment associated with this position only and is provided pursuant to the New York City Salary Transparency Law.

Ultimately, the salary may vary based upon, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, business sector, and geographic location, among other criteria. 

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Excel Sports Management provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.  This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, leaves of absence, compensation and training.