Manager of Partnership Activation – FC Cincinnati
Job Title: Manager of Partnership Activation
Department: Partnerships
Reports to: Director of Partnership Activation
About FC Cincinnati and TQL Stadium
FC Cincinnati is a professional soccer team that plays in Major League Soccer, having entered the league as its 24th team in 2019. The club’s wide and diverse ownership group is led by controlling owner Carl H. Lindner III; as well as managing owners Meg Whitman and Dr. Griff Harsh; Scott Farmer; and George Joseph. Originally founded in 2015 by Lindner III and current president Jeff Berding, FCC began play in the United Soccer League (USL) in 2016. The club won the 2018 USL Regular-Season Championship in record-setting fashion and earned postseason berths in all three of its USL seasons. In 2017, FC Cincinnati also advanced to the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, a run that included victories over two MLS squads. FC Cincinnati will open the club’s privately funded, 26,000-seat soccer-specific stadium in the West End neighborhood of Cincinnati in 2021.
TQL Stadium, home of FC Cincinnati, is one of the most ambitious soccer-specific stadiums in not only North America, but the world. Critically acclaimed firm Populous designed an innovative and forward-thinking stadium that will be one of the largest soccer-specific facilities in Major League Soccer. The $250 million, privately funded stadium will have a 26,000 capacity, with the closest seats within 15 feet of the field. The design includes 53 traditional suites and 4,500 premium seats throughout four premium club spaces. Additionally, the team’s famous supporters’ section, The Bailey, has grown to be more than 3,100 strong and loom over opponents at a 34-degree angle at the stadium’s north end. A 360-degree canopy roof covers every seat in the stadium, but still allows sufficient sun in to grow a natural grass field. The stadium has five team locker rooms, including a comprehensive team suite for FC Cincinnati that features a dressing room, coach’s offices, lounge, equipment storage and the Mercy Health Center of Excellence for the team’s medical and game day fitness needs. TQL Stadium meets all current requirements to host CONCACAF and FIFA events, featuring top national teams from around the world, including the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams, as well as the world’s top club teams for friendlies.
Job Summary
FC Cincinnati is looking for a hands-on, self-starter with established partnership activation experience, a positive attitude and strong work ethic to take on a key role in Partnerships at FC Cincinnati.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Management of National, Regional and Local sponsorship accounts, including one or more flagship partnerships. This includes maintaining regular contact with all corporate partners via a combination of phone, e-mail, Zoom and in-person communications
- Participate in management and analysis of departmental tools equipped to support sales and inventory management
- Work closely with all internal constituents, including marketing, business intelligence, ticketing, accounting, operations, community relations, consumer products and more
- Assist with game-day events and activation for corporate partners, including but not limited to special activations, pre-game, in-game and half-time promotions, hospitality events, promotional activations and displays
- Manage corporate partnership aspects of non-game day events and promotions, including but not limited to clinics, tournaments, player appearances, special promotions, and sweepstakes
- Assist with media trafficking of all corporate partnership media elements, including television, print and digital
- Monitor and provide updated copy for all sponsor programs and deliverables on FC Cincinnati’s website and digital/social campaigns
- Compile and write event specific recaps as well as bi-annual and season-ending recaps for assigned corporate partners
- Track all costs related to the fulfillment of each corporate partnership and maintain control of fulfillment budgets for each partner
- Act as corporate marketing consultant to partner contacts to develop and deliver on impactful, effective, and measurable sponsorship platforms
- Plan and execute contractual advertising and marketing elements as well as events, promotions, activities, and VIP experiences
- Regularly support Corporate Sales team with communications and ideas/solutions for assigned partners and future partners
- Assist in the management of Partnership Interns (may include game day or in-office)
- Collaborate with leadership to plan and execute corporate partnership prospecting and hospitality functions throughout the season
- Handle additional administrative duties related to the Partnership Marketing group as assigned by leadership, to include such items as research, tracking of sponsorship barter, maintenance of partner database, tracking and compiling partner contracts, participation in partner status and renewal meetings
- Responsible for any other special projects assigned by leadership
Qualifications
- Degree in Sports Management, Business or another relevant field required
- Minimum 2-4 years of professional sports activation and/or agency experience
- Demonstrate ability to effectively multi-task and prioritize
- Possess and demonstrates an extremely strong proficiency in communication skills, both written and verbal. Comfortable and experienced with public speaking and group presentations
- Strong interpersonal skills, maturity, and good judgment
- Customer service-oriented demeanor
- Experience using Microsoft Office suite as well as CRM software
- Capable of communicating with a diverse range of individuals with the ability to manage multiple projects
- Ability to think creatively as it pertains to developing marketing and activation campaigns
- Strong work ethic and team-oriented attitude
- Organized with consistent attention to detail
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays and the capability to travel as required
- Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide verification of vaccination prior to start date
FC Cincinnati is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
