Partnership Marketing Manager

PORTLAND THORNS

Founded in 2012, Portland Thorns FC have set the standard for fan support and on-field success in women’s soccer since its inaugural 2013 season. One of the world’s most supported women’s soccer clubs, Portland has led the league in attendance for eight seasons and set a new club playoff attendance record last year with 25,218 fans supporting Thorns FC in the 2023 semifinal match at Providence Park. Thorns FC have won the NWSL Championship a league-record three times (2013, 2017, 2022) and finished as runners-up in 2018. The club has made the postseason a league-high nine times and has won the NWSL Shield in 2016 and 2021.

WHO ARE THE PORTLAND THORNS?

We are the Portland Thorns.

We will be the #1 women’s football franchise in the world.

We fight to protect the integrity of our team and to inspire our city.

We are stewards of innovation…on and off the pitch.

We have a storied history of winning with a championship pedigree.

We believe in inclusiveness and demonstrating an authentic commitment to the community.

We are diverse, multi-cultural and we take action with purpose and intent.

We will relentlessly be a thorn in our opponent’s side and forever be the crown jewels of Portland.

We are the Portland Thorns.

The Role

The Manager of Partnership Marketing will play a pivotal role in implementing sales agreements that bridge partner brands with the Portland Thorns FC brand, ensuring alignment of values and driving mutual success. The Manager of Partnership Marketing will be instrumental in the retention and upsell of these partnerships, maximizing their impact on revenue growth and brand enhancement. This role requires a skilled negotiator, relationship-builder, and strategic thinker who can effectively translate partner objectives into actionable plans that strengthen the bond between partner brands and Portland Thorns FC.

What You’ll Be Up To

• Managing an assigned book of corporate partners.
• Supporting the Sr. Manager and Director in activation and relationship management of top tier accounts.
• Cultivating enduring relationships, becoming the go-to liaison for partners and a strategic ally in realizing their marketing goals through inventive activations and collaborations.
• Leading the execution of partner contracts, ensuring a seamless blend of partner brands with the Portland Thorns FC identity and a shared ethos at every interaction for assigned book of corporate partners.
• Working in unison with internal teams including marketing, sales, operations, creative, and others to guarantee the triumphant realization of partnership activations and initiatives.
• Overseeing all facets of partnership execution and fulfillment for assigned book of corporate partners including IP rights, game day/in-market activation, digital/social/print media, hospitality, and special events.
• Preparing and communicating timelines, artwork, creative specifications, implementation deadlines and budget management to ensure seamless execution of partnership activations.
• Fostering ongoing client engagement by conducting regular meetings, conference calls, and written correspondence.
• Monitoring and analyzing partnership performance metrics. Providing regular reporting to partners and internal stakeholders, demonstrating ROI.
• Continuously seeking opportunities to refine partnership offerings and deliverables. Leveraging insights and feedback to enhance the value proposition for our partners.
• Collaborating with the business development team on renewals and upsell negotiations. Identifying areas for partnership optimization and growth/upsells.
• Preparing all documentation related to client implementation. Creating comprehensive year-end partnership summaries that capture the impact of our collaborations.
• Laddering up key partner successes, priorities, and needs to Corporate Partnership leadership to ensure the internal team is equipped to champion and support partners both internally and externally.
  
  

What It Takes To Be a Thorn

• Degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in partnership marketing, sales, account management, or related roles, preferably within the sports or entertainment industry.
• Negotiation and contract management experience.
• A proven track record of successfully implementing partnership assets and driving partner satisfaction.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with partners and internal stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills reflected in the management of to-do lists, calendars, files, and ongoing projects.
• Ability to meet day-to-day tasks with a focus on leveling up to organizational goals. Key skills include problem solving and creative thinking.
• Experience in identifying opportunities, developing strategies, and negotiating creative solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to multitask and thrive in a fast-paced environment while effectively managing multiple priorities.
• Solid time management skills enable you to dance gracefully to the tunes of tight deadlines across numerous concurrent projects.
• Knowledge of sports marketing trends, fan engagement strategies, and sponsorship best practices.
• Experience working with partnership/event/activation budgets.
• Ability to work flexible and irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and special events, in our exclusive in-person working environment.
  
  

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives, Salary Range $70,000 - $75,000
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and wellness programs
• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement
• Dynamic, collaborative and fun work environment
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact and contribute to the growth of women's soccer
  
  

Ready to Be a Thorn in the Best Possible Way? Apply Now!

If you’re ready to shape the future of the Portland Thorns, send us your application. Let’s make history together!

Portland Thorns FC is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. 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.