Account Executive, Partnership Marketing

Position Summary/Objective: The primary focus of this position is to manage, activate, renew, and grow assigned corporate partnership accounts for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx. This individual will serve as a strategic partner to clients, driving measurable business results, identifying growth opportunities, and delivering best-in-class partnership experiences.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform these essential functions:

• Day-to-day management, activation and development of assigned Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx corporate partnership accounts.
• Serve as a strategic marketing consultant to partner contacts, developing impactful, measurable sponsorship platforms that align with partner business objectives and drive long-term partnership growth.
• Lead the planning, execution, tracking, and reporting of all assigned partners’ contractual elements, including but not limited to: traditional media assets (e.g. radio, print, television, digital, social, etc.), in-market promotions, in-arena activation, hospitality, experiential, and community programs.
• Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to collaborate on the strategy and fulfillment of partnership marketing initiatives.
• Help manage the process of measuring the effectiveness of assigned sponsorship platforms to demonstrate partner ROI and ROO, working closely with Partnerships Solutions and Business Strategy & Analytics teams.
• Maintain and grow partner relationships at all levels from day-to-day contacts to decision makers through regular touchpoints, including but not limited to: weekly or bi-weekly status calls; annual partner activation summit; hospitality and events; pre-season planning, mid-season check-in, and post-season recap meetings; etc.
• Act as an extension of assigned partners’ brand, understanding the industry landscape, business objectives, challenges, opportunities, etc.
• Responsible for driving partnership revenue through sponsor renewals, upsells, and identification of incremental business opportunities that create value for both partners and the organization.
• Proactively identify opportunities to expand partner investment through new activations, assets, platforms, and strategic recommendations.
• Partner with Corporate Sales Managers to collaborate on new sponsor partnership opportunities.
• Maintain working knowledge of NBA approval process. Initiate process by submitting all necessary promotional materials and paperwork through the Team Promotions Proposal (TPP) process.
• Attend and participate in weekly departmental, activation team, and game-related marketing meetings.
• Manage both internal and external partner expectations on processes, timelines, approvals, and deadlines.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other

• Strong written and verbal communication skills required.
• Computer skills required: experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook) is required.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, identify business opportunities, and develop creative, solution-oriented recommendations for partners.
• Ability to establish effective client and interdepartmental relationships, manage multiple client contacts and projects, and drive business.
• Strong project management skills focused on organization, time management and planning.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a group of highly motivated individuals, and also be an independent thinker.
• Able to interface with colleagues, senior executives, and clients effectively and personably, recognizing the need to adjust communication style accordingly to the audience.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to balance executional excellence and prioritization in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to influence others, build cross-functional relationships, and contribute positively to team culture.
• Availability and willingness to work extended hours, including nights and weekends and be on-call as necessary.

Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of experience in partnership marketing, sponsorship activation, account management, sales, brand marketing, agency services, or related fields.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management, marketing, advertising, or sports management (or similar field) from four-year college or university required.

Specialized Knowledge, Licenses, etc.: Previous activation experience in sports preferred.

Supervisory Responsibility, if any: This position does not have supervisory responsibility

Benefits & Compensation

• Compensation: The base salary range for this non-exempt role will be: $60,000 - $65,000 depending on experience. There are opportunities for an annual corporate bonus. Total compensation & offer package will include the following:
• Benefits: Regular full-time employees have access to medical, dental, and vision plans, health saving accounts with an employer contribution, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, and life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance. Additional benefits may include employer-paid short/long-term disability plans, generous fitness and well-being benefits, work-related reimbursements, and fully paid family/caregiver leave. Regular full-time employees start with 11 Holidays, at least 20 paid PTO days, 2 Volunteer days, and 4 Personal Holidays in each calendar year.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. Office hours are typically Monday-Friday from 8:30 AM-5:00PM. In addition to working office hours staff may work external events including but not limited to games, charity and networking events. Work is generally sedentary in nature. The working environment is generally favorable.

Lighting and temperature are adequate, and there are no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc. Work is generally performed within an office environment, with standard office equipment available. This job also operates in a sports arena, which includes bleachers/steps.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate and exchange information with others both in person and over the telephone.

The employee frequently is required to remain in a stationary position, as well as operate computers and other office equipment, such as a copy machine, printer and telephone. Staff will frequently ascend and descend bleachers/steps and traverse around the arena both on event days and non-event days. Staff may occasionally move boxes or other materials weighing up to 10 pounds.

Travel

The position will require some travel.

EEO Statement

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx are an equal employment opportunity organization.

E-Verify Statement

We participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot prove this, we will give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) to resolve the issue before any action might be taken against you, including terminating your employment.

Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.