National Basketball Association
Senior Director, Partnership Sales
National Basketball Association, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90079
The 3‑time WNBA Champion Los Angeles Sparks are seeking a Senior Director, Partnership Sales to lead and support all partnership sales initiatives. This position is responsible for driving major new‑business revenue, cultivating high‑value corporate relationships, and developing innovative, integrated partnership programs. The Senior Director will serve as a strategic leader, proactive seller, and cross‑functional collaborator—advancing the Sparks’ commercial impact through long‑term, solutions‑driven partnerships. This exempt, full‑time role reports to the VP, Partnerships.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Partnership Sales Leadership
Lead partnership sales efforts by developing new relationships, generating revenue, and identifying prospective partners across key business categories
Develop integrated partnership assets, programs, and packages that maximize Sparks value propositions for new and existing partners
Establish and implement strategic new business development plans, personally driving outreach, discovery, and deal‑closing efforts
Manage the full sales lifecycle including prospecting, pipeline development, needs analysis, pitch creation, proposals, negotiation, and contract execution
Strategic Partnership Development
Maintain deep awareness of the Partnership landscape, industry trends, and category activity across sports, lifestyle, and entertainment to identify new opportunities
Create compelling partnership solutions aligned with partner objectives across marketing, community, media, digital, and game‑day platforms
Craft and deliver executive‑level sales presentations, proposals, and term sheets that communicate strong business rationale and ROI modeling
Internal & External Collaboration
Attend and lead sales meetings; manage internal next steps and guide creation of decks, presentations, and client‑facing documentation
Work closely with Partnership Solutions, Activation, Marketing, Community Relations and Finance teams to develop fully integrated partnership proposals
Ensure smooth transition from sales to activation while maintaining strategic involvement to support long‑term value, renewals, and upsell opportunities
Represent the Sparks at home games, events, league functions, and industry conferences to build relationships and generate new business
Sales Operations & Reporting
Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date account entries in CRM systems and reporting tools
Track and report weekly sales activity, pipeline status, and revenue forecasting
Ensure strong organizational discipline and adherence to Sparks sales processes
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Exceptional oral, written, and presentation skills with the ability to influence senior‑level decision makers
Strong consultative selling skills, including strategic thinking, storytelling, and value‑driven negotiation
Ability to identify, develop, and package integrated partnership solutions
High level of professionalism and executive presence; proven ability to generate and close business
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple high‑priority projects in a fast‑paced environment
Proactive, motivated, solution‑oriented leader who excels as both an individual contributor and team collaborator
Ability to build strategic partnerships using data, analytics, valuation insights, and industry trends
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Minimum 10–12 years of partnership sales experience with deep knowledge of integrated Partnership development
Team, venue, agency, or brand‑side partnership experience
Proven track record of sourcing, negotiating, and closing major corporate partnerships
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Sports Management, Communications or related field, or equivalent experience
Strong business acumen with the ability to create ROI‑driven proposals and financial partnership models
Strong communication skills and ability to thrive in a deadline‑driven environment
PREFERRED
Experience in professional sports setting, preferably in Partnership sales
Familiarity with CRM systems
Established relationships with brand and agency executives in key Partnership categories
Experience developing integrated marketing, media, and community‑based partnership programs
Knowledge of Los Angeles market preferred
WORKING CONDITIONS
Must be willing to travel for client interaction and to be on‑site at league locations as necessary
Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required for Sparks home games and events
Required on‑site presence for games, partner hosting, and activation events
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PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Partnership Sales Leadership
Lead partnership sales efforts by developing new relationships, generating revenue, and identifying prospective partners across key business categories
Develop integrated partnership assets, programs, and packages that maximize Sparks value propositions for new and existing partners
Establish and implement strategic new business development plans, personally driving outreach, discovery, and deal‑closing efforts
Manage the full sales lifecycle including prospecting, pipeline development, needs analysis, pitch creation, proposals, negotiation, and contract execution
Strategic Partnership Development
Maintain deep awareness of the Partnership landscape, industry trends, and category activity across sports, lifestyle, and entertainment to identify new opportunities
Create compelling partnership solutions aligned with partner objectives across marketing, community, media, digital, and game‑day platforms
Craft and deliver executive‑level sales presentations, proposals, and term sheets that communicate strong business rationale and ROI modeling
Internal & External Collaboration
Attend and lead sales meetings; manage internal next steps and guide creation of decks, presentations, and client‑facing documentation
Work closely with Partnership Solutions, Activation, Marketing, Community Relations and Finance teams to develop fully integrated partnership proposals
Ensure smooth transition from sales to activation while maintaining strategic involvement to support long‑term value, renewals, and upsell opportunities
Represent the Sparks at home games, events, league functions, and industry conferences to build relationships and generate new business
Sales Operations & Reporting
Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date account entries in CRM systems and reporting tools
Track and report weekly sales activity, pipeline status, and revenue forecasting
Ensure strong organizational discipline and adherence to Sparks sales processes
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Exceptional oral, written, and presentation skills with the ability to influence senior‑level decision makers
Strong consultative selling skills, including strategic thinking, storytelling, and value‑driven negotiation
Ability to identify, develop, and package integrated partnership solutions
High level of professionalism and executive presence; proven ability to generate and close business
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple high‑priority projects in a fast‑paced environment
Proactive, motivated, solution‑oriented leader who excels as both an individual contributor and team collaborator
Ability to build strategic partnerships using data, analytics, valuation insights, and industry trends
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Minimum 10–12 years of partnership sales experience with deep knowledge of integrated Partnership development
Team, venue, agency, or brand‑side partnership experience
Proven track record of sourcing, negotiating, and closing major corporate partnerships
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Sports Management, Communications or related field, or equivalent experience
Strong business acumen with the ability to create ROI‑driven proposals and financial partnership models
Strong communication skills and ability to thrive in a deadline‑driven environment
PREFERRED
Experience in professional sports setting, preferably in Partnership sales
Familiarity with CRM systems
Established relationships with brand and agency executives in key Partnership categories
Experience developing integrated marketing, media, and community‑based partnership programs
Knowledge of Los Angeles market preferred
WORKING CONDITIONS
Must be willing to travel for client interaction and to be on‑site at league locations as necessary
Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required for Sparks home games and events
Required on‑site presence for games, partner hosting, and activation events
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