Background
Location: Hybrid – work-from-home and office: 303 E Wacker Dr., Suite 2200, Chicago, ILType: Full-time, permanent positionDivision: Strategic PartnershipsReports to: Chief Revenue Officer
Overview
The Association of Pickleball Players | The APP Tour (APP) is dedicated to providing the best pickleball tournament experience for all. The APP, owned by Intersport, was founded in 2019 and serves professionals, senior professionals, and amateurs in the fastest growing sport in the country. The first and only tour officially sanctioned by USA Pickleball, the 2024 APP Tour slate boasts 12 tournament stops, in addition to Signature, International and Collegiate Series events. The APP also prides itself on developing the next generation of champions through its Next Gen Series and other youth initiatives.
You can view the 2024 Tour slate here: https://www.theapp.global/tour/2024/professional
The Position
The APP is seeking to add a smart and driven Trainee, Partnership Sales Operations to its Strategic Partnerships team. The Strategic Partnerships team leads the APP’s sponsorship and media sales efforts. The Trainee will be responsible for leading the high-quality sales support to the APP’s sponsorship sales team, including the CRO, SVP, VPs, and Director. As such, the right candidate will have a demonstrated interest in partnership marketing, specifically creating sponsorship sales decks/proposals and the tracking and management of sponsorship assets.
The right candidate must possess a consultative and collaborative approach to sponsorship sales success and be able to speak persuasively about their desire to support senior-level sponsorship marketing professionals.The Trainee program is the means for entry-level hiring at the APP. A Trainee position is full-time and covers a period of six months. Toward the end of the six-month period the APP will determine permanent placement options, based on Trainee performance, market factors and the APP’s ability to hire. The responsibilities of each Trainee position vary depending on the needs of the company and the interests of the Trainee. In addition to their day-to-day work, the Trainee will gain exposure across the organization to get a well-rounded view of the APP and of the sports and entertainment marketing industry.
Responsibilities
General
- Embody and reflect the APP’s performance-based culture and commits him/herself and team to the highest standards for all work
- Work effectively with cross-functional teams to deliver executional excellence
Sponsorship Sales Support
- Oversee quality production of:
- PowerPoint presentations (e.g. decks) with a high-level aesthetic and an exacting level of detail
- Research and project management for a variety of ad hoc assignments for the APP partnership sales team
- Administrative support and prep and follow-up materials for prospect/client meetings and following events and administrative documents in a clear, concise and detailed manner
- Benefits summaries, program/event recaps, etc.
- Create and maintain administrative and partnership sales documents in a clear, concise and detailed manner for internal use as well as partner clients and prospects
- In collaboration with the partnership sales team, manage the internal legal process and agreement/contract administration for new partner clients
Sponsorship Asset Tracking and Management
- In time, establish himself/herself as a trusted strategic business partner and “go to” resource for the partnership sales team
- Maintain comprehensive and detailed knowledge of each partner client’s rights and benefits (i.e. contractual assets) inclusive of delivery status and related project management and corresponding communications
- Likewise, maintain comprehensive and detailed knowledge of unsold/unallocated sponsorship marketing assets, e.g. availability, quantities, desirability to specific prospects/industries, etc.
- Demonstrate professional presence in all partner client interaction – meetings, calls/video conferences, correspondence, etc.
- Support the coordination and administration of regular conference calls
- Actively contribute in brainstorming and idea generation sessions to conceptualize and develop new and enhanced activation platforms for current and prospective partners
Event Execution
- Assist and lead APP event execution, including coordination and communication between APP departments and external partner clients/prospects, support of hosting and activation
Qualifications
- Ideally, internship experience in a sponsorship marketing or sales support role at an agency, brand, media company, sports or entertainment property, or related organization
- Ability to manage multiple programs/projects concurrently, inclusive of a detail oriented and organized approach
- Application of superior prioritization and time-management skills
- Ability to produce high quality work at a fast pace
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Proactive, team player with a strong work ethic
- Exemplary written and oral communication skills
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint and Word; proficiency in Excel
- Ability to travel for business on trips typically lasting between three (3) and six (6) days, multiple times annually
- Graphic design capabilities (e.g. Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign) a plus
The Association of Pickleball Players, LLC. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
