Who We Are
The Bismarck Larks joined the Northwoods League (NWL) in 2017. The NWL is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 25 teams, drawing more fans than any league of its kind. The NWL provides top college players from North America and beyond a summer collegiate baseball experience. More than 350 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball in the NWL’s 31-year history.
The Bismarck Larks became the first team in NWL history to win NWL Organization of the Year in back-to-back seasons (2017 & 2018). The Larks sold out 27 of 36 home games in 2017 (75%) and continued their success in 2018 selling out 30 of 36 home games with an average overall attendance of more than 68,000 fans.
In 2020, the Larks became the first sports team in the country to play safely with fans in the stands during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the Larks sold out 92% of every ticket and were named one of the top 30 employers in sports by Front Office Sports in the company of the Denver Broncos and Savannah Bananas.
In 2023, the Larks were viral for rebranding to the Missouri River Motorboaters, hosted the NWL All-Star Game aired on ESPNU, aired two games on NBC - North Dakota, debuted the NWL’s biggest videoboard, and hosted fans from 33 different states.
The Larks are committed to their mission of using FUN to make a difference in the lives of our community, employees, players, and interns.
The Position
The Partnership Activation and Experience Director to lead our team in creating unforgettable experiences for our partners. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing all partnership activation, team relationships, and community engagement initiatives, ensuring we deliver an exceptional experience that enhances our brand presence while driving impactful business results. As the Director, you will manage a dynamic team, cultivate strong relationships with key stakeholders, and develop strategic activation programs that elevate the teams’ community presence and sponsorship effectiveness.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership: Lead and mentor the Partnership Activation and Experience team to ensure successful execution of all partnership and community engagement initiatives.
- Develop Activation Strategies: Collaborate with leadership and partners to develop tailored partnership strategies that align with business objectives, amplify the teams’ brand, and drive measurable results for both the team and our partners.
- Team Management: Oversee the coordination of partnership activations and promotions, guiding team members in the planning, execution, and fulfillment of contractual obligations while maintaining the highest level of service.
- Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Work closely with marketing, entertainment, ticketing, ballpark operations, and community outreach teams to ensure cohesive and effective partnership activations across all areas of the business.
- Event and Promotion Oversight: Lead the development and execution of partner promotions, events, and community programs to maximize visibility, engagement, and return on investment for all partners.
- Budget and Inventory Management: Manage the partnership activation budget, ensure that all partnership inventory is accounted for, and monitor the progress of partner contracts and performance.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the primary liaison for high-level partners, providing strategic guidance and maintaining long-term relationships with sponsors, local organizations, and community groups.
- Reporting and Analytics: Lead the compilation and presentation of performance data, including end-of-season recaps, activation performance reports, and ROI metrics for partners.
- Strategic Growth and Innovation: Continuously seek out new partnership opportunities, creative activations, and community engagement strategies that elevate the fan experience and deepen community ties.
- Event Representation: Represent the team at key networking events, partnership meetings, and industry conferences, fostering external relationships and raising the profile of the team in the community.
Success Metrics
- Retention and Renewal: Achieving high retention rates for existing partnerships and successfully renewing sponsorship agreements for future seasons.
- Promotion Goals: Meeting or exceeding partnership activation and promotion goals, ensuring campaigns and activations align with partner objectives and drive measurable business outcomes.
- Event Attendance: Hitting event attendance targets and ensuring partner activation leads to increased visibility and fan engagement at events.
- Sponsor Satisfaction: Collecting and analyzing sponsor feedback through surveys, aiming for high satisfaction scores, and ensuring sponsors feel their objectives are met and exceeded.
Skills and Qualifications
- Proven experience in sports sponsorship, event management, or partnership activation, with at least 5-7 years in progressively senior roles.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and mentor a team.
- Excellent project management skills, with experience managing multiple, simultaneous initiatives in a fast-paced environment.
- In-depth understanding of partnership activation strategies, including digital, social media, hospitality, and in-stadium promotions.
- Exceptional communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally across teams and with external partners.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines while maintaining a high standard of work.
- A passion for sports, community engagement, and creating unforgettable experiences.
Proficiency in digital marketing tools, Adobe Creative Suite, and project management platforms (Asana, etc.) is preferred.
Benefits & Compensation
Competitive base salary with additional earning potential tied to team success.- Commission structure
- Health benefits
- Sales Training
- Matching 401k program
- Unlimited PTO Requests*
- Social and Group Outings
- Merchandise Discounts
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.
