Charlotte 49ers Ventures - Vice President, Corporate Partnerships

Organizational Summary

Charlotte 49ers Ventures is the official in-house revenue-generation and commercial enterprise of Charlotte Athletics, created to maximize growth opportunities and elevate the university's position in the rapidly evolving college athletics landscape. Operating with an entrepreneurial mindset, Charlotte 49ers Ventures oversees corporate partnerships, multimedia rights, premium hospitality, brand activation, and emerging NIL opportunities.

Position Summary

The Vice President, Corporate Partnerships is responsible for the strategic development, revenue generation, and operational oversight of Charlotte Athletics' corporate partnerships portfolio. Reporting to the Deputy AD / Chief Revenue Officer, this role is responsible for developing innovative, integrated partnership solutions that drive significant revenue growth while enhancing the Charlotte Athletics brand, fan experience, and community impact. This role plays a critical sales leadership function in maximizing commercial opportunities associated with Charlotte Athletics' continued growth, including football, basketball, premium seating, NIL-related initiatives, facility enhancements, and emerging revenue opportunities.

The Vice President will build and lead a high-performing team while fostering relationships with corporate leaders throughout Charlotte, the region, and nationally. The position ensures alignment with University priorities, NCAA regulations, conference policies, and industry best practices.

Essential Functions

Strategic Leadership & Revenue Generation

• Execute a comprehensive corporate partnerships strategy designed to maximize revenue growth,

brand exposure, and long-term partner retention.

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Chief Revenue Officer on partnership strategy, market trends, and

commercial growth opportunities.

• Identify, cultivate, negotiate, and close high-value corporate partnerships, including naming rights,

founding partnerships, presenting sponsorships, and multi-platform agreements.

• Develop innovative partnership platforms integrating athletics assets, campus initiatives, community engagement, digital content, social media, premium hospitality, and NIL opportunities.

• Maximize revenue opportunities associated with football, men's and women's basketball, premium

seating, facility branding, and future capital projects.

Corporate Partnership Sales & Activation

• Lead the full partnership sales lifecycle, including prospecting, relationship management, proposal

development, negotiations, contract execution, and renewal strategy.

• Oversee activation and fulfillment efforts to ensure exceptional client service and measurable return

on investment for partners.

• Develop customized, data-driven sponsorship solutions that align corporate objectives with

Charlotte Athletics' strategic priorities.

• Ensure consistent delivery of contractual assets and maintain strong partner satisfaction and

retention metrics.

NIL & Emerging Revenue Opportunities

• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to identify and implement innovative NIL-related

sponsorship opportunities that support student-athletes and institutional objectives
• Evaluate emerging trends in collegiate athletics, including revenue sharing, athlete marketing

opportunities, and evolving sponsorship models.

• Develop strategic partnerships that leverage Charlotte's position within one of the nation's fastest-

growing business communities.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and evaluate corporate partnerships personnel while fostering a culture of

accountability, innovation, collaboration, and excellence.

• Create professional development opportunities and establish performance expectations that

support departmental goals.

• Promote cross-functional collaboration across ticket sales, annual giving, marketing,

communications, fan experience, operations, and external relations.

Data, Analytics & Operations

• Utilize CRM systems, analytics tools, and industry research to manage sales pipelines, evaluate

partnership effectiveness, and support data-driven decision-making.

• Monitor revenue performance, inventory utilization, and market trends to identify growth

opportunities and optimize business outcomes.

• Maintain accurate reporting, forecasting, and documentation related to partnership activity and

revenue generation.

University & Community Engagement

• Represent Charlotte Athletics with corporate executives, community leaders, alumni, donors, and

business organizations throughout the Charlotte region and beyond.

• Collaborate with University leadership to align partnership initiatives with institutional priorities and

brand standards.

• Ensure all partnership activities comply with NCAA regulations, conference policies, University

guidelines, and applicable legal requirements.

Other Duties

• Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned in support of Charlotte Athletics' strategic

plan and revenue objectives.

Required Experience & Skills

• Bachelor's degree required

• Minimum of 8-10 years of progressively responsible experience in corporate partnerships,

sponsorship sales, business development, or sports marketing.

• Demonstrated success generating seven-figure sponsorship revenue and negotiating complex

partnership agreements.

• Experience in intercollegiate athletics, professional sports, multimedia rights, sports agencies, or

related industries preferred.

• Proven leadership experience managing high-performing sales and service teams.

• Strong understanding of NIL, revenue-sharing models, and the evolving collegiate athletics

landscape.

• Exceptional communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.

• Experience working with CRM platforms, sales analytics, and revenue forecasting tools.

Key Performance Indicators

• Corporate partnership revenue growth.

• New business acquisition and renewal rates.

• Partner retention and satisfaction metrics.

• NIL-related partnership revenue.

• Inventory utilization and sponsorship yield.

• Team performance and professional development outcomes.

• Strategic contribution to Charlotte Athletics' overall revenue goals

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in NCAA Division I athletics and/or with collegiate rightsholders

• Knowledge of the evolving collegiate athletics landscape, including NIL and revenue-sharing

initiatives.

• Master's or Advanced degree.

• Familiarity with the Charlotte business community and regional sports market.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary with performance-based incentive opportunities.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.

• Retirement benefits package.

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.