Background
Location: Hybrid – work-from-home and “The Fort” (Fort Lauderdale, FL)Type: Full-time, permanent positionDivision: Strategic PartnershipsReports to: Executive Director, Strategic Partnerships (South Florida)
Overview
The Association of Pickleball Players | The APP Tour (APP) is dedicated to providing the best pickleball tournament experience for all. The APP, majority 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 2025 APP Tour slate boasts 24 + 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 2025 Tour schedule here: https://www.theapp.global/tourThe APP and The Fort share a mutual vision to support the growth of pickleball and develop the sport’s talent at its core. This builds on the APP’s reputation as the first and original USA Pickleball-sanctioned tour by now establishing a regular wide range of year-round programming opportunities tailored to pickleball players of all skill levels and ages. The APP’s current plans for growth are highlighted by:
- Holding world-class, international pickleball tournaments and events for elite pros and amateurs
- Junior player development for U.S. and international students
- Programs for high-performance touring pros seeking structured, year-round training
- Opportunities for aspiring pickleball players from around the world to train, engage with other players and enjoy a vast array of resources at their disposal
- Serve as the official training home for the APP Next Gen National Team
The Fort delivers an unmatched pickleball experience and the heart of The Fort is its pickleball club accompanied by:
- The Official Home of The APP
- 43 professional courts and the world’s first dedicated pickleball stadium
- 14 weatherproof courts for play rain or shine
- Open and reserved play, clinics, leagues and tournaments for casual and competitive players
- Pro shop, locker rooms and fitness recovery center
- 4,000 square foot event center, and food and beverage options offering a blend of social and culinary delights that embody the South Florida lifestyle
Located within the 93-acre Snyder Park and adjacent to the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, The Fort opened in 2024 and will continue to welcome pickleball players select APP Majors in 2025 and beyond.
The Position
The APP is seeking to add a smart and driven Trainee to its Strategic Partnerships with a responsibility for providing sales support to an executive-level sponsorship sales function. The right candidate will have zero to one year experience in sponsorship sales or sales/support. A candidate must possess a demonstrable interest in sponsorship/sponsorship sales.The Trainee program is the means for entry-level hiring for the APP. A Trainee position is full-time, with salary and benefits, and covers a period of six months.
At the conclusion of the six-month period, a Trainee is hired on to a permanent position based on a number of factors: 1) their performance as a Trainee, 2) the APP’s company performance, and 3) macroeconomic conditions. A Trainee position is by definition a training position – one in which they will be taught while doing real work. A Trainee must make a discernable impact and prove themselves; it is not in any way an internship position. The Trainee program is competitive by design and its purpose is hire the very best entry-level talent and grow that talent into a permanent team member of increasing responsibility and career advancement over time.
Responsibilities
General
- Embody and reflect the APP’s performance-based culture and commit him/herself and team to the highest standards for all work
- Work effectively with cross-functional teams to deliver executional excellence
Sales Support and Deliverables
- Act as a lead in producing online/desk research in support of developing a high volume of quality sales leads that enable senior team members to conduct targeted sales outreach
- Make edits to and write first drafts of PowerPoint presentations (e.g. decks) with a high-level aesthetic and an exacting level of detail
- Develop creative integration concepts to assist in the sales process
- Provide research and project management for a variety of ad hoc assignments for the Strategic Partnerships team
- With direction from senior team members, develop executive summaries including, sponsor benefit summaries and program/event recaps
- Work with Creative team to develop sales effectiveness tools including client-specific graphics
- Apply a high level of aesthetic to the creation of decks and sales materials and utilize Canva or other creative/graphics software
Event Execution
- Assist Properties team in the oversight of property events including coordination and communication between Intersport departments and external prospects/clients
Qualifications
- Zero (0) to one (1) years professional, relevant, non-internship, full-time experience in sponsorship or media sales/sales support
- Demonstrable interest in sponsorship/sponsorship sales
- Exemplary verbal and written communication skills with high-level presentation ability
- Flexibility to work both independently and collaboratively in an entrepreneurial environment
- Experience producing creative via Canva or other creative/graphics software (portfolio of work is a plus)
- Proficiency in PowerPoint, Word, Excel
Salary and Benefits
The salary for this position is $43,900. If, after the six-month Trainee period the Trainee is converted to a permanent employee, the title is adjusted to Coordinator and the salary is adjusted to $46,000.This position includes medical, dental, vision, parental leave benefits and 401(k) with company match for qualified employees. This position does not include bonuses, commissions, or other incentives.The APP is an Equal Opportunity Employer
