Job Title: Corporate Partnerships Business Development

Department: Corporate Partnerships

Reports to: Director, Corporate Partnerships Business Development

The Top Shelf:   

The Corporate Partnerships Business Development position will be responsible for generating partnership revenue for the Rockford Ice Hogs.  The main focus of this role will be on the prospecting and development of high-level partnerships.  This position requires a highly energetic and self-motivated individual. This role also requires an individual with a strategic mindset.  This role will focus on impactful partnerships that are long-term, high in monetary value but also partners that match our organizational philosophies. 

How You’ll Contribute:   

• Sale of partnership assets including in-arena signage and videoboard placements, social and digital content, broadcast units, one-of-a-kind experiences, tickets, etc. 
• Prospect local, regional, and national companies from leads provided through internal processes and individual research. 
• Communicate with new prospects to book meetings to conduct a marketing needs analysis. 
• Maintain diligent and real-time Salesforce CRM entries. 
• Collaborate with peers to obtain necessary deliverables for presentations and contracts. 
• Develop relationships through networking, events, social functions, and game attendance. 
• Negotiate final outcomes of partnership business terms. 
• Continuously search for new partner ideas, signage opportunities, in-arena/retail promotions that will benefit the Blackhawks, United Center, Fifth Third Ice Arena and Rockford and maximize partnership revenue. 
• Manage Corporate Partnerships New Business Pipeline Reporting, via Salesforce, to Director, Corporate Partnerships, Business Development. 
• Maintain best-in-class sales materials and collaborate with Marketing Department on behalf of Corporate Partnerships. 
• Represent Corporate Partnerships New Business Group, along with Director, Corporate Partnerships, Business Development, on monthly AHL league calls. 
• Thought partner with Director, Corporate Partnerships Business Development on new opportunities coming online.
• Support other members of Corporate Partnerships team during presentations and needs analysis conversations, as needed. 
• Game day responsibilities include: entertaining potential partners at IceHogs or Blackhawks games, assisting other department functions as needed in execution and monitoring of partner activations. 
• Other duties and responsibilities as required.

Player Stats and Qualifications:   

• 3-4 years of sponsorship selling experience and a track record of success. 
• Partnership or advertising selling experience with a professional sports team preferred. 
• Enthusiastic collaborator and belief that varying perspectives and contributors create an improved outcome. 
• Leadership skills and the desire to develop those skills through this position 
• The ability to synthesize data from numerous sources into easy-to-understand, high-level reports. 
• Superior written and verbal communication skills. 
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills. 
• Ability to work independently and effectively with others at all management levels. 
• Superior organization and time management skills. 
• Interpretation of data and articulation of its meaning and impact. 
• Creativity in developing new sponsorship concepts and inventory. 
• Ability to solve problems independently with customized solutions. 
• Strong computer skills with Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, CRM (Salesforce) and the internet. 
• Experience with SponsorUnited, Salesforce and SportsDigita preferred. 
• Passion for sports and hockey. 
• Possessing professional contacts in the Chicagoland and surrounding areas is a plus. 
• Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays as event schedule commands. 
• Ability to address, adapt to, and overcome challenges in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Demonstrated aptitude for driving results
• High attention to detail

The Team:    

The Rockford IceHogs, founded in 1999 and members of the American Hockey League (AHL), is a premier organization and primary development affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks. Located in Rockford, IL, the Team calls the newly renovated BMO Center its home. 

As the longest running professional sports team in Rockford, the organization has developed a passionate local fan base and has set multiple attendance records over the years, while establishing a strong a community presence. 

The Rockford IceHogs’ goal is to continue providing exceptional fan experiences, elevating fan attendance, making a substantial impact in the community and continuing their commitment to developing exceptional talent.

The Rockford IceHogs is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels.  All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.  All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, religion or religious creed, color, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, local law, ordinance, or regulation and will not be discriminated against on these bases.