Position Summary
The Vice President of Corporate Partnerships is responsible for developing, selling, and stewarding all commercial partnership revenue for AC Grand Rapids and Amway Stadium as the club builds toward its inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season. This role oversees partnership sales strategy, valuation, negotiation, activation oversight, and renewal planning, while helping build the club and Amway Stadium’s commercial identity and infrastructure.
Primary Responsibilities
- Identify, develop, and secure new corporate partnerships across key categories.
- Lead the full partnership sales cycle: strategy, outreach, discovery, proposal development, negotiation, and contract execution and implementation.
- Develop multi-year commercial partnership strategies aligned with ACGR and Amway Stadium’s objectives.
- Lead forecasting, budgeting and executive reporting for club and stadium sponsorships.
- Create asset valuations, pricing models, and inventory frameworks.
- Collaborate with Marketing, Community Relations, Stadium Operations, and Ticketing to align on shared club and stadium objectives.
- Coordinate with MLS NEXT Pro league staff to ensure compliance and alignment.
- Guide activation staff to ensure impeccable delivery of contractual assets.
- Recruit, hire, and develop a high-performing partnerships team.
- Establish KPIs, reporting structures, compensation plans, and development programs.
- Build foundational partnership systems, processes, and materials for an expansion club and new stadium.
- Represent ACGR and Amway Stadium at community, business, and league events as a senior executive.
- Perform other duties as required.
Required Skills & Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Sports Management, or related field.
- At least seven years of partnership sales leadership experience in professional sports or entertainment.
- Must be proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Demonstrated leadership experience developing high-performing sales teams.
- Proven track record of securing significant sponsorship revenue.
- Deep understanding of corporate partnerships, marketing strategy, and activation.
- Exceptional communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
- Strong project management and multitasking abilities.
- Proficiency in CRM and sales tracking tools.
- Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.
