Columbus Fury
Director of Corporate Sponsorships
Columbus Fury - Director
Columbus · OH
Corporate Sponsorship Sales · Sponsorship Services/Activation · Business Development
0
1
week ago
Location: Columbus, Ohio (Onsite)
Type: Full-Time
Base Salary: $75,000
Target OTE: $130,000 – $140,000 (base + performance commission)
Reports To: President & General Manager
Type: Full-Time
Base Salary: $75,000
Target OTE: $130,000 – $140,000 (base + performance commission)
Reports To: President & General Manager
About the Columbus Fury
The Columbus Fury are a professional women's volleyball team competing in Major League Volleyball (MLV) — the premier professional women's volleyball league in North America. Women's sports is experiencing a genuine cultural and commercial inflection point, and the Fury are building one of the flagship franchises in that story.
Columbus is one of the most dynamic sports markets in the country — home to a thriving business community, a passionate fan base, and deep corporate roots in industries ranging from insurance and financial services to technology and healthcare. The opportunity to build meaningful, long-term corporate relationships here is real.
We are entering the 2027 season with new leadership, a clear vision, and the ambition to build something that Central Ohio hasn't seen before in professional women's sports. We are looking for a Director of Corporate Sponsorships who wants to be part of building this — not maintaining what already exists.
The Role
This is a player-coach sponsorship leadership role. You will personally prospect, pitch, and close corporate partnerships while leading a small team of 1–2 partnership staff. You own the revenue — not just the relationships.
The Director of Corporate Sponsorships is responsible for building and growing the Columbus Fury's corporate partnership portfolio: new business development, existing account management, activation oversight, and category strategy. You will inherit a foundation of existing partners and be expected to grow it aggressively. If you are energized by building something from the ground up — with real autonomy, real accountability, and real upside — read on.
This role is based in our Columbus, Ohio office. Occasional remote flexibility is available, particularly during the off-season.
What You'll Own
New Business Development
- Personally prospect, pitch, and close new corporate sponsorship partnerships
- Build and manage a pipeline of local, regional, and national prospects
- Develop category strategy and identify exclusive partnership opportunities
- Create compelling partnership proposals tailored to each prospect's business objectives
- Represent the Columbus Fury at community and business events to build relationships and generate leads
Account Management & Retention
- Own the renewal and growth of existing corporate partnership accounts
- Serve as the primary relationship manager for key partners
- Deliver on partnership commitments and proactively communicate value throughout the year
- Identify upsell and expansion opportunities within the existing portfolio
- Conduct regular partner reviews and post-season recaps to demonstrate ROI
Activation & Fulfillment
- Oversee the execution of all partnership elements — signage, promotions, digital, game-day activations, and hospitality
- Collaborate with Marketing and Operations to deliver activations that exceed partner expectations
- Ensure all contractual obligations are fulfilled accurately and on time
- Build scalable activation processes as the portfolio grows
Team Leadership
- Lead, coach, and develop 1–2 partnership staff
- Set expectations, provide regular feedback, and build a culture of accountability and performance
- Support staff in developing their own books of business and client relationships
Strategy & Reporting
- Develop and execute the annual corporate partnership revenue plan
- Maintain accurate pipeline reporting and revenue forecasting
- Provide regular updates to the President & GM on partnership performance and new business activity
- Benchmark partnership inventory, pricing, and packaging against the market
What We're Looking For
Required
- 5+ years of experience in sports sponsorship sales, corporate partnership development, or B2B sales
- Proven track record of closing new business — you can name the number and explain how you got there
- Experience managing and renewing existing accounts with measurable retention and growth results
- Strong presenter and relationship builder — comfortable in front of C-suite executives
- Experience managing or mentoring at least one direct report
- Proficiency with CRM systems and pipeline management
- Ability to work evenings, weekends, and match days consistent with the event schedule
Preferred
- Experience in professional sports, college athletics, or live entertainment sponsorship
- Established network in the Columbus or Central Ohio business community
- Experience selling category exclusives, naming rights, or integrated multi-platform partnerships
- Familiarity with sponsorship valuation tools and ROI reporting
- Background in women's sports or mission-driven brand partnership development
What Success Looks Like — Year One
- Existing partnership accounts are renewed and key relationships are strengthened
- New partnership revenue exceeds the prior year's total
- A pipeline of qualified prospects is active and being worked toward close
- All partner activation commitments are fulfilled on time and at a high standard
- The partnership team has clear goals, accountability, and a culture of performance
- Leadership always knows where we stand — accurate forecasting, clean reporting
Why the Fury
Women's sports is one of the most compelling growth stories in American culture right now, and professional volleyball is at the center of it. Corporate partners who get in early on the Fury will see their investment grow as the franchise grows — and you will be the person who gets them in.
You will work directly with the President & GM, have real authority over your department, and have more direct impact here than you would three levels deep at an established major league franchise. The Columbus business community is waiting to be activated. The upside is real.
Compensation
Base Salary | $75,000
Commission | 7.5% on new partnerships personally closed; 3% on renewals personally managed
Target OTE | $130,000 – $140,000
Schedule | Onsite — occasional remote flexibility available, particularly during the off-season
Benefits | Full benefits package; details provided during interview process
Commission | 7.5% on new partnerships personally closed; 3% on renewals personally managed
Target OTE | $130,000 – $140,000
Schedule | Onsite — occasional remote flexibility available, particularly during the off-season
Benefits | Full benefits package; details provided during interview process
To Apply
Please submit the following:
- Resume
- Cover letter — tell us about the largest corporate partnership or sponsorship deal you have personally closed, and what you learned from it
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
The Columbus Fury are an equal opportunity employer. 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.
Job Questions:
Are you willing and able to work in Columbus, Ohio?
What is the largest annual sponsorship revenue portfolio you have personally managed (in dollars)?
Of your sponsorship revenue, approximately what percentage was business you personally originated (vs. inherited or passed to you)?
How would you describe your sponsorship sales experience?
Have you managed other sellers or a sales team?
Which of the following best describes your sponsorship sales background? (Select all that apply)
How familiar are you with the Columbus, Ohio business market?
This role carries a $1.2M+ sponsorship revenue target and requires personally selling alongside managing a team of two. In 2–3 sentences, tell us why this is the right opportunity for you right now.
