Senior Manager, Partnership Sales | Northwestern University

About this role

GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS  Delivering for the world’s largest and most complex projects, Legends Global Partnerships experts deliver innovative solutions to create integrated and meaningful partnerships, connecting our partners with the world’s premier and emerging brands in a transformational way.  Our comprehensive slate of consulting and sales execution services includes delivering naming and venue entitlement positions, jersey sponsorships, premier events partnerships, emerging entertainment platforms, universities, mixed-use real estate developments and more. 

NORTHWESTERN Northwestern University and Ryan Field Foundation LLC have entered into a long-term partnership agreement with a Legends-JMI Sports joint venture to oversee corporate partnerships for the New Ryan Field and Northwestern Athletics’ multi-media rights opportunities. The New Ryan Field will be a state-of-the-art $850M sports and entertainment venue set to become a landmark for college football and Chicago. The project, with the majority funded by the Ryan Family without public investment, will set a new standard in college athletics, transforming the stadium model into a year-round community asset.

Scheduled to open in 2026, the new Ryan Field promises to bring a world class student athlete, fan, and community experience to college sports. Once completed, it will not only host Northwestern football but also serve as the premier concert venue in the Chicago area as well as a leading destination for national events, youth sports championships, and additional opportunities, creating an unparalleled community hub, truly “Chicago’s Big Ten Stadium.” As the exclusive partner for Ryan Field and Northwestern Athletics, the joint venture will be responsible for engaging national and regional businesses with a unique and integrated sponsorship platform centered on the premier facility in all of college football in addition to relationships with the world class University.

THE ROLE The Senior Manager of Partnership Sales will be responsible for securing new corporate and marketing partnerships as part of the partnership sales team. The individual hired for this role will be responsible for leading sales efforts, and the development of new corporate partnerships. The Senior Manager of Partnership Sales will identify emerging sponsorship categories, build relationships across a variety of industries, generate sales leads through networking and research, conduct client presentations, and negotiate high-value contracts to meet and exceed annual revenue goals. The Senior Manager of Partnership Sales will report to the Vice President, Partnerships.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  • Work with the partnership development team to manage key category development and platform ideation for new and existing partners. • Secure and conduct partnership development meetings with potential clients by leveraging relationships as well as cold outreach. • Aim to understand the marketing and business objectives of prospective clients and their agencies. • Develop relationships and work directly with key colleagues to create a collaborative business development process and the opportunity for integrated partnerships. • Present new Ryan Field Partnerships to potential local/national sponsorship partners and develop an integrated, solution-driven approach to creating sponsorship packages. • Create, package, and sell sponsorships while becoming an integrated part of a team to meet and exceed revenue goals and objectives. • Manage a pipeline of new business prospects for the New Ryan Field as part of the Partnership sales team. • Develop and maintain strong relationships with key decision-makers at client marketing companies and their respective advertising agencies. • Negotiate and close sponsorship deals and work with counsel through contract execution. • Attend weekly meetings with senior-level executives and provide updates. • Be a team player and positively represent the Ryan Field Foundation LLC, Northwestern Athletics, JMI Sports, and Legends among all corporate and partners. • Organically help facilitate a team-first approach to business by effectively communicating and building relationships with internal stakeholders and executives that assist in the ideation and implementation of partnership programs.

QUALIFICATIONS   To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty with energy and enthusiasm. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE        • 5+ years of successful corporate sales, premium sales, brand agency or brand sponsorship sales experience directly in sponsorship/corporate partnerships. • Proven track record in closing long-term, six figure integrated marketing partnerships. • Experience driving revenue growth with emerging opportunities and established partnerships.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES • Demonstrated experience using sales materials and market insights to craft strategy and narrative. • Storyteller with experience communicating the benefit of marketing opportunities to clients. • Communication and presentation experience with an emphasis on translating insights, product information, and data into partner value. • Outstanding written and verbal communication skills to develop strong working relationships with partners, teammates, and other stakeholders. • Capacity to meet challenging sales objectives in a high profile, competitive marketplace. • Ability to manage a high level of detail across multiple projects and to prioritize efficiently. • Expertise in identifying opportunities, developing strategies, and negotiating creative solutions. • Familiarity with digital media marketing and social media platforms. • Creativity to develop strategic and purpose driven marketing platforms. • Experience in

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