JOB TITLE: Manager, Corporate Partnership Development
DEPARTMENT: Corporate Partnerships
REPORTS TO: VP, Corporate Partnerships
SUMMARY
The Manager, Corporate Partnership Development, will serve as a front-line sales leader for the Chicago Stars FC, driving revenue growth through bold, innovative corporate partnerships. This role requires a dynamic blend of relationship-building, strategic thinking, and creativity to deliver partnerships that match the ambition of one of women’s sports’ fastest-rising clubs.
With the Chicago Stars entering a transformative era, including our highly anticipated move into a new stadium in 2026 and the continued evolution of our facilities and footprint, this position offers the opportunity to help shape partnerships that will define the future of the club, our fans, and our city.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Build and manage a strong pipeline of partnership leads through outreach (email, LinkedIn, networking, event invitations, unique mailers, and industry involvement).
- Conduct in-depth needs analysis and discovery meetings that lead to building a comprehensive and solutions-based partnership proposal.
- Lead the proposal and negotiation process from initial ideation through contract execution, collaborating cross-functionally to secure internal alignment.
- Consistently meet or exceed annual new business revenue targets through strategic and innovative partnership development.
- Seamlessly transition new partners to the Partnership Activation team, ensuring long-term success and renewals.
- Collaborate with the VP, Partnerships, and Marketing/Activation teams to maximize category revenue opportunities and identify new areas for growth.
- Negotiate key business terms and contracts with new partners.
- Define expense budgets related to the implementation and execution of corporate partnership agreements.
- Serve as a visible face of the Chicago Stars brand, hosting and showcasing partnership opportunities at home matches, events, and market activations.
- Deliver strategic, forward-thinking partnerships that both elevate the Stars’ brand and create measurable business impact for partners.
- Contribute to organizational strategy by identifying evolving trends in sports, entertainment, and consumer behavior to stay ahead of the curve.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPECTATIONS
- Minimum of 3 years of direct corporate partnership/sponsorship sales responsibility.
- 2+ years experience in a supervisory or management role.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
- Demonstrated strong oral, written, and presentation/communication skills.
- Demonstrated organizational and time management skills.
- Submission of two (2) examples of mutually beneficial corporate partnerships.
- Ability to publish a list of business contacts and prospects to be sourced in partnership outreach.
- Ability to work a non-traditional schedule to include evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in sales or business-related field from an accredited 4-year university.
- A positive team member who displays a passion for their craft, an openness to learning, and a superior work ethic.
- Sales Experience with a sports property or league (sponsorships/partnerships experience preferred).
- Experience using market research tools such as Nielsen Sports, YouGov, SponsorUnited.
- CRM experience (salesforce.com preferred).
- Photoshop proficiency
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.
