Senior Manager, Corporate Partnerships
Arizona Sports Enterprises (ASE)
Reports to: Director Corporate Partnerships, Arizona Sports Enterprises
Position Summary
The Senior Manager, Corporate Partnerships is a key revenue-driving role within Arizona Sports Enterprises — responsible for securing new business, managing a portfolio of partners, and integrating Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) assets into comprehensive sponsorship solutions.
This position functions as a hybrid seller, balancing traditional corporate partnership sales with NIL strategy and activation. The Senior Manager will prospect, pitch, and close new sponsorships while also supporting the development of NIL-integrated programs that help brands connect with Arizona student-athletes and the “One Arizona” platform.
The ideal candidate is a motivated, relationship-driven professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can translate brand objectives into creative partnership concepts that span media, in-venue, digital, hospitality, community, and NIL assets.
Key Responsibilities
1. Corporate Partnership Sales (~50%)
- Achieve an assigned new business and renewal revenue goal across ASE’s commercial portfolio.
- Prospect and secure partnerships across priority categories (local, regional, national).
- Build custom, multi-asset proposals leveraging ASE inventory:
signage, media, digital, social, hospitality, community impact, and experiential assets. - Manage and grow a portfolio of partners with clear renewal and upsell strategies.
- Participate in high-impact sales presentations; support negotiation of multi-year agreements.
- Collaborate with Partnership Marketing/Activation teams to ensure successful campaign execution and measurable partner ROI.
2. NIL Strategy & Integrated Revenue (~50%)
- Help develop and sell NIL-integrated sponsorship concepts in collaboration with ASE leadership and Athletics Compliance.
- Package NIL assets into larger partnership deals that align with University values and NCAA/Big 12 guidelines.
- Educate prospective partners on NIL structure, compliance, marketplace norms, and creative opportunities.
- Coordinate with coaches, student-athletes, and collectives (where applicable) to identify appropriate talent for campaigns.
- Support recruiting and retention communication by helping showcase compelling NIL partnership examples.
3. Partner Collaboration & Relationship Management
- Serve as a trusted partner to brands by understanding their business priorities and proactively pitching concepts that drive value, including NIL integrations.
- Work cross-functionally with ASE Creative, Digital, and Activation teams to develop and execute campaigns.
- Provide performance recaps, reporting, and insights tied to sponsorship and NIL activations.
- Represent ASE at games, events, and B2B functions to strengthen relationships and uncover new opportunities.
4. Internal Alignment, Compliance & Operations
- Ensure all NIL-related activities adhere to NCAA, conference, institutional, and ASE policies.
- Support development of ASE’s NIL sales tools, processes, and playbook.
- Maintain accurate CRM documentation for partnership activity and NIL deals.
- Stay current on NIL best practices, sponsorship trends, and industry innovation.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- 3–5+ years of experience in sports sponsorship sales, media sales, brand partnerships, or related revenue-generating roles.
- Track record of closing multi-asset partnerships and/or managing a book of business.
- Familiarity with NIL regulations and collegiate athletics preferred (or demonstrated ability to learn quickly).
- Strong communication, relationship-building, and presentation skills.
- Ability to operate with initiative in a fast-moving environment and collaborate across departments.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Why ASE
Arizona Sports Enterprises is redefining the collegiate multimedia rights model by connecting sponsorship, NIL, community impact, and storytelling under one unified “One Arizona” platform.
The Senior Manager, Corporate Partnerships will play a foundational role in shaping ASE’s next phase of growth — helping brands activate across Arizona Athletics while unlocking new opportunities at the intersection of sponsorship and NIL.
Arizona Sports Enterprises is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment for all employees.
