About the UFL
The United Football League (UFL) is the premier spring football platform, formed by the merging of the XFL and USFL in 2024 under the combined ownership of RedBird Capital Partners, FOX, Dany Garcia and Dwayne Johnson. The UFL has eight teams in Arlington (TX), Birmingham (AL), Detroit (MI), Houston (TX), San Antonio (TX), Memphis (TN), St. Louis (MO), and Washington D.C.
About the Position
The Director of Sponsorships is a self-starter with partnership sales experience in sports at the league or team level. This individual should possess strong sales acumen and knowledge of sports and live entertainment. The key focus with this role is to develop and sell customized partnerships to brands with local interests that will help to achieve the revenue goals and fan engagement objectives of the Memphis Showboats and the UFL. Secondarily, the role will be expected to surface potential national brand leads based in and around the market. The Sponsorship Director will work with the team Business Lead and league Sponsorship leadership to support the strategic approach to driving long-term corporate partnership revenue for the UFL.
What You Will Do
Develop and bring to market sponsorship proposals, build and manage potential partner pipelines and oversee end-to-end sales processes for all partnerships.
Assist in the development and management of team sponsorship inventory, including updating all inventory, and adding new inventory when applicable.
Identify new ways of generating incremental revenue/minimizing expenses for the organization.
Strategize and collaborate with sponsors, agencies, and internal stakeholders to create fully integrated UFL themed marketing programs, keeping partner goals and key League initiatives top of mind.
Assist the client services team in management of multiple client relationships, including corporate sponsors, multiple agencies, and marketing teams.
Maintain day-to-day relationships between partners, internal departments, and outside agencies.
Accountability and influence in renewals and revenue development.
Responsible for annual incremental dollar growth within the sponsorship department by upselling current sponsors on UFL controlled assets.
Assure UFL revenue goals are met on an annual basis.
Work with game production, marketing, and venue staff to deliver all sponsor assets and activations on game days.
Effectively utilize game days as opportunities to host key partner stakeholders and potential new partners.
What you will bring
Minimum of 7 years working within the sports industry or with sports brands, including experience in sponsorship sales and activation, negotiation, research, analytics and media.
A strong understanding of the local team market, including key business contacts and influencers to best leverage local partnerships
Strong brand marketer with understanding of partner categories, business, and the sports/entertainment industry.
Have a client service mentality to support the development of long-term partner relationships.
Capacity for creative and innovative thinking.
Excellent sales, presentation, and communication skills.
Leader and self-starter with the ability to multitask.
Team player with strong cross-functional skills.
Experience working in a fast-paced environment.
Other duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Additional Details
Work location: The location of this role must be in the Memphis, TN area.
The role is hybrid. The individual may work in a remote office and/or an office environment and will be expected to attend all team games and events.
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Ability and willingness to work proactively at events sponsored by the UFL, partner organizations and other grassroot opportunities to promote the UFL team in the selected market and develop new business and fan relationships
Local travel to games, events, and meetings with access to a vehicle or transportation to take necessary supplies for activations.
Minimal Travel (<10% travel): May be required to travel out of market.
Ability to work a flexible schedule inclusive of weekends, nights and holidays required.
Must be able to lift 25 pounds at times.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The UFL maintains a strong policy of equal opportunity in employment. It is our objective to recruit, hire and retain the most qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state or local law. Our equal employment philosophy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, promotions, transfers, job benefits and terminations.
