WORK OPTION: [[Hybrid]]

The NBA is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace. To safeguard our employees and their families, our visitors, and the broader community from COVID-19, and in consideration of recommendations from health authorities and the NBA’s own advisors, any individual working onsite in our New York and New Jersey offices must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The NBA will discuss accommodations for individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.

Position Summary:

This position will service key strategic WNBA-only marketing partner relationships. This individual will focus on the day-to-day relationship management and oversee activation efforts of various WNBA marketing partner accounts.

Major Responsibilities:

Serve as lead on the account team responsible for managing day-to-day partner activation processes, including: activation planning and approvals, promotional development, media planning, financials, advertising creation and approval, event coordination, including at international events, and results tracking, which will require collaboration across multiple departments
Serve as day-to-day contact on partnership matters ranging from activation strategy to contractual deliverables
Provide partnership expertise in the comprehension of contractual elements and understanding of the leagues' and partners' business goals/target audiences/marketing strategy and knowledge of best practices and industry news
Develop upsell opportunities that align with brand objectives and WNBA business goals
Identify solutions to partner business challenges and remove project roadblocks
Develop and leverage strong relationships and build credibility with external partners and their lead agencies
Build effective working relationships and strong consensus with key NBA constituencies including: sub-departments within Global Partnerships and Media, Events, Public Relations, Legal, Marketing, Social Responsibility, Team Marketing & Business Operations, Player Marketing, and all affiliate leagues
Oversee budgets for partners including leading the annual budget planning process; requires fluency in our financial reporting and pipeline management system
Execute against partnership goals and success metrics and implement a measurement plan for monitoring effectiveness and providing regular reporting
Lead various broader, department initiatives (e.g. partner engagement strategy)

Required Skills/Knowledge:

Minimum 8-10 years professional experience in relevant field (marketing, advertising, account management, or brand management)
Successful experience in developing marketing and event strategies for clients and a strong understanding of marketing and promotions, including demonstrated experience in developing and implementing successful marketing programs
Demonstrated relationship management skills both internally and externally (including with senior executives); ability to adapt to various personalities and working styles
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
Presentation skills, including the ability to create and lead presentations
Strategic thinker who is able to execute current partner strategy and identify areas of optimization/opportunity
Strong financial and analytical skills; ability to create internal and external reports
Solid understanding of sponsorship activation including events, media, marketing rights, content, etc.
Ability to forecast issues in projects and problem solve with various constituents
Must be highly motivated, proactive, self-starter with high energy and team spirit
Enjoys fast paced and challenging work environment Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Advertising, Sports Marketing, Communication, or similar.

Salary Range: [[$135,000 - $155,000]]

The NBA does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or any other third parties. Any unsolicited resume sent to the NBA will be considered NBA property, and the NBA will not pay a fee should it hire the subject of any unsolicited resume.

The NBA considers applicants for all positions on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs, and without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, alienage or citizenship status, ancestry, marital status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, veteran status, familial status, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

About the WNBA
The WNBA is a bold, progressive basketball league that stands for the power of women.  Featuring 12 teams, the W is a unique sports property that combines competition and entertainment with a commitment to diversity and inclusion and social responsibility.  Through its world-class athletes, the in-game fan experience, TV and digital broadcasts, digital and social content and community outreach programs, the league celebrates and elevates the game of basketball and the culture around it.

WNBA Partner Account Manager