Status: Full-Time
Department: Corporate Partnerships
Location: Indy Eleven Offices (Indianapolis, IN)
Indy Eleven’s Manager, Partnership Activation & Service position is open to applicants with a minimum of 2-3 years of experience in account management and/or partnership activation. Indy Eleven is seeking an experienced and organized individual for the Manager, Partnership Activation & Service role within the organization’s Corporate Partnerships Department.
Indy Eleven is led by well-respected executive, Greg Stremlaw. The front office and team strives to be best-in-class and the preeminent United Soccer League Championship franchise. As a part of Indy Sports & Entertainment, Indy Eleven is owned by Ersal Ozdemir. The Eleven are the only United Soccer League Championship team and the highest level of professional soccer in the state of Indiana. Indy Eleven continues to work towards its vision of building a new soccer specific stadium and mixed-use development called Eleven Park in downtown Indianapolis. In 2022, Indy Eleven purchased a women’s team through the USL W League as a pathway to the eventual start of women’s professional soccer in the Hoosier state. In 2023, Indy Eleven announced the acquisition of a USL Super League team, which will play at the highest level of professional women’s soccer in the United States.
Additionally, Indy Eleven has a robust youth development program starting at the recreational level with over 18,000 children across the Hoosier state, all the way up through USL Academy, USL Academy League, MLS Next and ECNL, as pathways to the professional level.
Primary responsibilities for this role will include, but are not limited to:
- Develop customized creative materials designed to bring various sales opportunities to life. Materials may include sales presentations, teaser one sheets, client communication templates, storyboards, client recaps, etc.
- Create high-quality mockups of partnership assets for use in partnership pitches and proposals, using Adobe Photoshop or similar.
- Responsible for accessing, analyzing, and communicating market research data from third-party platforms and working with third-party metrics providers to analyze social media and broadcast performance to produce reporting for sales team and/or partners.
- Develop and maintain relationships with corporate partners through exceptional customer service while serving as internal brand representative on behalf of assigned partners to ensure various sponsor objectives are met.
- Communicate with internal departments including Broadcast, In-Game Entertainment, Marketing, and Digital/Social to accurately manage inventory and delivery of assets, advise on deployment strategy, and identify potential opportunities for partnership and business growth.
- Assist in executing the fulfillment of all sponsorship elements, including stadium signage, advertising, broadcast, social media, and promotions, as well as corresponding proof of performance documents for all assigned corporate partners.
- Assist in the maintenance and coordination of broadcast logs for weekly radio show, TV game broadcasts, and/or Spanish radio play-by-play.
- Assist in managing and executing hospitality areas on game days, including providing services to clients in the Premium Suites and Premier Level seating areas.
- Assist in managing in-season and off-season departmental special events and platforms.
- Support the sale of the team’s Premium Seating areas, including the Premium Suites and Premier Level seats.
- Collaborate with internal departments and external vendors on behalf of clients to ensure success of sponsor related initiatives and assigned projects, utilizing independent judgement and discretion where necessary.
- Provide recommendations and added-value options, activation ideas, up-sell opportunities, and insight on client renewal strategies.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Knowledge & Skill Requirements
This position will report directly to the Director, Corporate Partnerships. Qualifications for this position include:
- Minimum of 2-3 years of account management and/or partnership activation experience; sports sponsorship is preferred.
- Ability to establish strong relationships, effectively manage expectations, and provide information with extraordinary courtesy and tact while safeguarding confidentiality.
- Ability to establish priorities and courses of action for handling multiple tasks and projects.
- Ability to demonstrate flexibility and quickly adapt to changes while maintaining a high level of attention to detail.
- BA/BS degree is preferred.
- Must be creative, well organized, detail oriented, possess a strong work ethic and a desire and willingness to learn.
- Well organized with consistent attention to detail.
- High proficiency with Microsoft Office programs is required.
- Experience in event management, the sports industry, or the media industry is strongly preferred.
- Familiarity with CRM software is preferred.
- Familiarity with Photoshop is preferred, but not required.
- Team player spirit with an exceptional customer service attitude.
- Availability to work non-traditional hours including nights and weekends to support key initiatives and game day activities.
The Manager, Corporate Partnership Activation & Service position will be a full-time position (40 hours a week plus event and game day hours). This position will include a base salary. In addition, Indy Eleven employees are eligible for a benefit package through the organization that includes but is not limited to the ability to elect health, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage, as well as receive paid time off and paid holidays.
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.
