[Hiring] Senior Account Executive, Sponsorship Sales @Playfly Sports

Role Description

Playfly Sports is seeking a highly motivated Account Executive, NCAA Championship Sponsorship Sales to join our team and drive local sponsorship revenue across NCAA Championship Events.

• Identify, prospect, pitch, negotiate, and close local and regional businesses that align with NCAA Championship Events.
• Focus on selling local sponsorship rights and integrated marketing opportunities surrounding NCAA Championship Events.
• Ensure sponsors receive a best-in-class experience before, during, and after the championship.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 3-6 years of sales experience required; preferably in sponsorship, advertising, media, sports, experiential marketing, hospitality, or related industries.
• Demonstrated success achieving or exceeding sales quotas or revenue goals.
• Proven ability to prospect, develop relationships, negotiate, and close new business.
• Strong presentation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to develop relationships with business owners and senior-level marketing decision-makers.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple prospects, proposals, clients, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Proficiency with CRM systems, Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, and other sales technology.
• Willingness to travel and work select evenings, weekends, and championship events as required.
• Passionate about sports, sponsorship, and marketing within the college sports and athletics industry.

Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk-up stairs.
• Be available to travel for client presentations.
• Must be able to work nights and weekends around sporting events.

Compensation

Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience, certifications, and specific work location. This may be different in other locations due to differences in the cost of labor.

The base pay range for this role is: $80,000 — $85,000 USD.

What You'll Accomplish

• Drive New Sponsorship Revenue:
  • Assist in developing a proactive sales strategy to achieve and exceed individual and team revenue targets.
  • Build and manage a robust pipeline of prospective local and regional sponsors within assigned NCAA Championship Event markets.
  • Research and identify businesses, organizations, and brands with a strong connection to championship markets, attendees, fans, student-athletes, institutions, and local communities.
  • Conduct high-volume prospecting through various channels.
  • Develop relationships with business owners, marketing leaders, CMOs, agency contacts, and other key decision-makers.
  • Lead the full sales process from prospect identification to close.
  • Consistently achieve or exceed assigned revenue, activity, pipeline, and renewal goals.
• Sell NCAA Championship Partnerships:
  • Develop a deep understanding of NCAA Championship Events and available local sponsorship rights.
  • Translate NCAA Championship assets into compelling business solutions.
  • Create customized sponsorship proposals, sales presentations, activation concepts, and partnership packages.
  • Sell integrated opportunities across available assets.
  • Identify opportunities to increase the value of partnerships through customized activations.
• Manage Client Relationships & Renewals:
  • Build long-term relationships with sponsors and serve as a trusted strategic partner.
  • Develop and execute renewal strategies designed to retain existing partners.
  • Maintain regular communication with clients to understand objectives and measure performance.
  • Coordinate with internal teams to ensure contractual assets are delivered accurately.
  • Support sponsor activation and fulfillment before, during, and after NCAA Championship Events.
  • Attend select championship events to support sponsors and client relationships.
• Market Development:
  • Become a local-market expert within assigned championship DMAs.
  • Identify key industries, companies, decision-makers, and business trends.
  • Build relationships with local organizations and stakeholders.
  • Leverage local market intelligence to develop compelling sponsorship opportunities.
  • Stay current on trends across sports marketing and sponsorship.
• Collaboration & Execution:
  • Partner closely with the General Manager and other teams to develop and execute partnerships.
  • Maintain accurate prospecting and account information within the company's CRM.
  • Provide regular sales forecasts and market intelligence to leadership.
  • Collaborate on sales strategy, prospect prioritization, pricing, proposals, and negotiations.
  • Represent Playfly Sports and the NCAA in a professional manner.
  • Ensure all sponsorship proposals comply with NCAA and Playfly guidelines.
  • Perform other job-related duties as assigned.