MANAGER, GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS

SUMMARY:

Position Title: Manager, Global Partnerships
Department: Global Partnerships
Status: Full-time/ Permanent
Reports to: Associate Vice President, Global Partnerships
Location: Toronto, ON
Application Deadline: August 29, 2025

COMPANY DESCRIPTON:

The Canadian Football League is Canada's home for professional football. With over a century of rich history and nine member teams across the nation, the CFL provides world-class entertainment and excitement to a passionate and dedicated fan base. A season-long journey of unforgettable moments and must-see-TV broadcasts culminates in Canada’s largest single-day sporting event – the Grey Cup, where the newly crowned champions earn the right to hoist the iconic emblem of Canadian football.

The CFL leads a global movement to grow and modernize the game. The league is committed to a global vision as it connects with fans around the world. It is transforming into a digital-first sports league through an innovative, first-of-its-kind partnership with Genius Sports to maximize fan engagement through data analytics, technological advances, and sports betting.

Just as important as its industry-leading operations, the CFL proudly champions the values on which Canada was built – unity, diversity, inclusion, strength, and service to the community. The league is supportive of all peoples, cultures, and backgrounds, offering a respectful and inclusive working and playing environment, centered on acceptance and understanding. The CFL's successes are measured not only on the field and within its ranks, but also in its unparalleled impact in affecting positive change and bettering Canadian communities and lives.

POSITION SUMMARY:
We are seeking a dynamic and driven Manager, Global Partnerships to proactively identify, engage, and cultivate new brand and agency relationships and opportunities across a variety of categories. This role will be responsible for developing and maintaining a year-round pipeline of qualified national prospects, with a strong focus on revenue generation and long-term strategic growth.

The ideal candidate will bring a proven track record in packaging-up and selling-through IP-based partnership programming, with integrated media solutions designed to deliver against client brand goals and business objectives. The role requires a strategic thinker with strong sales acumen, creative problem-solving and negotiation skills, and the ability to build trusted relationships with senior-level decision-makers.

RESPONSBILITIES:

Proactively prospect, qualify, grow, and maintain a robust partner list.
Present CFL Ventures products and initiatives to Clients on an on-going basis.
Identify, develop and negotiate partnership agreements, leveraging all CFL Media & CFL Ventures assets.
Assist AVP, Global Partnerships on budget forecast analysis and projections.
Understand client needs and develop partnership marketing solutions that exceed their expectations.
Work in conjunction with CFL Marketing, Content and Global Partnerships to develop and maintain customized sales proposals.
Responsible for maintaining and evaluating current revenue along with anticipated revenue growth.
Cultivate strategic client-side + agency relationships to secure revenue growth opportunities and build credibility in the marketplace.
Identify, understand and communicate trends within client markets and industries.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

Bachelor's degree in business/commerce/marketing or equivalent experience.
Combination of 3+ years in a marketing, sponsorship and/or business development role.
Established relationships and experience within the sports and media industry in Canada is a definite asset.
Hunter mindset, with the ability to drive the sales cycle from initial prospect engagement through to contract negotiation and campaign execution.
Working knowledge of media & sponsorship marketing with a specific focus on best practices and principles related to the sale and implementation of corporate partnerships and creative digital & experiential activations, including:
Intellectual Property Rights
Digital and social media platforms
Brand activation and promotion across all key touchpoints (events, retail, multimedia) and key stakeholders (consumer, employee, trade)
Working knowledge of other key marketing concepts and functions including Media (TV, Radio, Print, Digital, Mobile); brand strategy and positioning; marketing metrics (broadcast ratings, research in brand and promotion tracking)
Self-starter, curious and driven to excel.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple tasks concurrently.
A creative thinker, strategic seller with exceptional interpersonal skills.
A compelling communicator and presenter with strong written and verbal skills.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS & CONTACTS:

Chief Revenue Officer
AVP Global Partnerships
Global Partnerships Team
External stakeholders

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:

Hybrid Model: The incumbent will be required to attend the office in accordance to the CFL Hybrid Work Policy. In addition, you are required to attend meetings and other business events at the office or other venues as business needs dictate.
Work Schedule: Due to the nature of the business, the incumbent must be available and willing to work evenings, weekends and holidays as required.
Travel: Must be able to travel, as required. Must have a valid driver’s license.

CONTACT:

To be considered for this opportunity, please submit your cover letter and application.

The Canadian Football League is an equal opportunity employer, and we are working to create a more diverse and inclusive work environment. We welcome applications from traditionally underrepresented groups such as women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, people living with disabilities and people identifying as LGBTQ2S+.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. For additional information on the Canadian Football League, please visit our website at www.cfl.ca.

Canadian Football League (CFL)