Sarasota Paradise
Business Development Manager
Sarasota Paradise - Manager
Sarasota · FL
Corporate Sponsorship Sales · Business Development · Sponsorship Services/Activation
$35,000 - $45,000 / year
0
4
hours ago
About Sarasota Paradise
Sarasota Paradise is the first professional soccer club in Sarasota/Manatee, competing in USL League One since 2026. We're building a fan-first, community-driven organization that delivers exciting games and strong local impact.
The Role
We're hiring a driven Business Development Manager to own smaller-to-mid sponsorship sales ($50k and under), drive new business, ensure exceptional sponsor fulfillment, and deliver measurable ROI. You'll prospect, close deals, coordinate activations (game-day and beyond), prepare performance reports, and support game-day partner experiences. This role directly fuels revenue growth and helps us scale efficiently as a startup-like pro sports operation.
You’ll report directly to the Founder in a fast-paced environment. We value quick, direct communication, ambition, and a bias for getting things done over perfection. If you love selling, thrive in sports, and want to learn from an exciting leader building something special, this is your chance.
Key Responsibilities
- Prospecting & Sales: Identify and pursue local/regional businesses for sponsorships. Conduct initial outreach, calls, demos, and book meetings. Build and manage a robust pipeline using ActiveCampaign and other tools.
- Deal Closing & Negotiation: Craft tailored proposals, negotiate terms, and close sponsorship agreements that align with club goals and sponsor needs.
- Fulfillment & Activation: Coordinate sponsor deliverables both on game days (hospitality, signage, activations) and off-field (digital, community, content). Ensure things are where it's supposed to be and partners feel valued.
- Relationship Management: Follow up with sponsors on ticket usage, collaborate with ticket sales staff, and maintain strong ongoing relationships.
- Reporting & ROI: Prepare and deliver 2-3 professional performance reports per year to sponsors, highlighting exposure, engagement, and return on investment. Monthly reporting to USL and ownership regarding performance.
- Game Day Support: Assist with partner check-ins, activations, and overall smooth operations at matches.
- Collaboration: Work closely with marketing, operations, and ticket teams. Contribute to process improvements for efficiency and revenue scaling.
What We're Looking For
- Proven sales experience (sports, sponsorships, B2B, or high-energy startup sales preferred; we'll train the right hungry candidate).
- Strong prospecting and phone/email skills; ability to book meetings and close deals.
- Organized self-starter who excels in a fast-paced, small-team environment (<20 employees).
- Quick, direct communicator who delivers results.
- Ambitious, resilient, and passionate about sports/business growth. No ego — we value results and team players.
- Comfort with game-day/evening/weekend work during the season (March–November).
- Experience with CRM (ActiveCampaign a plus), Microsoft Office, and basic reporting.
- Live in or willing to relocate to the Sarasota area ("live in Paradise").
We don't care about your background, looks, or pedigree. If you're results-driven and excited by pro sports, apply.
Predictive Index Note: Final candidates will complete a Predictive Index behavioral assessment to ensure a strong fit for this high-energy sales role (common patterns for sales rock stars include strong drive and influence traits).
What We Offer
- Compensation: $40k base + aggressive incentives/commissions (uncapped potential tied to sponsorship revenue).
- Health insurance contribution.
- Company computer and tools.
- Professional development support (training, conferences, learning budget aligned with EOS growth).
- Work in a dynamic pro sports environment with real impact on a growing club.
How to Apply
Send your resume and a short note on why you're excited about building Sarasota Paradise. In your note, tell us about a sales win you're proud of and how you approach sponsor relationships.
We review applications on a rolling basis and move quickly with the right people. Join us in creating the first profitable, sustainable USL club that the community loves and that runs like a well-oiled machine.
It's time for Paradise. Apply today!
Sarasota Paradise is an equal opportunity employer.
Sarasota Paradise is an equal opportunity employer.
