Vice President, Commercial Partnership Sales

Description

Position at Trail Blazers

Become a part of the team behind the team .

As employees of the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Quarter, we do more than basketball. We are blazing trails toward winning championships on and off the court .

We are pioneers and innovators. We look for people who push boundaries, who dream, who are committed to inclusivity – who want to contribute to Rip City!

As our Vice President of Commercial Partnership Sales , you will lead the partnership sales team, driving revenue growth through the development of strategic partnerships and sponsorships. This role is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive sales strategies, managing key relationships internally and externally, and leading a team of sales professionals to achieve organizational goals.  

DAY-TO-DAY:

• Coach sales team on how to identify, negotiate, and secure new commercial partnerships with local, national, and global brands. 
• Develop and implement a comprehensive and strategic sales strategy that supports organizational initiatives, working closely with internal stakeholders, including Marketing, Operations, DEI, and Community. 
• Lead Partnership Sales Team in a way that ensures sales activities are commensurate with established goals while providing clear direction, development, coaching, training and mentorship adapted to accommodate various levels of tenure and skill within the team.  
• In partnership with Director of Strategy, manage pricing (rate card) of partnership assets and development of partnership packages.  
• Review all proposals and deal sheets while providing constructive input to ensure consistent messaging within the market and a consistent valuation of the partnerships model.  
• Collaborate with the Commercial Partnership Leadership team, including the Senior Vice President of Partnership, Director of Partnership Activation, Director of Partnership Strategy, and Senior Manager of Revenue Operations.  
• Monitor industry trends and market dynamics to identify potential areas for growth and innovation. 
• Represent the organization at industry events, conferences, and meetings to enhance visibility and build relationships with potential partners. 
• Track and report on partnership revenue, providing regular updates to senior leadership. 
• Committed to developing a diverse and inclusive environment. 
  
  

WE’D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU IF YOU:

• Have Proven Success in Partnership Sales: You have a demonstrated history of success in high-value partnership sales, with a focus on transforming activation and fan engagement assets into integrated partnerships.
• Are a Strategic Thinker: You excel in strategic thinking and have a proven track record of developing and implementing effective sales strategies.
• Excel in Coaching and Leadership: You have experience coaching and developing high-performing sales teams, offering mentorship and leadership tailored to varying levels of experience.
• Bring Industry Knowledge: You stay current with reliable knowledge of the sports and entertainment industry and marketplace, underpinned by strong business acumen.
• Are Skilled in Relationship Building: You possess strong negotiation skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Thrive in Collaboration and Communication: You demonstrate an ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and senior leadership and are excellent at communication and presentation.
• Have Strong Analytical Skills: You excel in monitoring industry trends, market dynamics, and partnership performance through strong analytical skills.
• Are Committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: You are dedicated to developing a diverse and inclusive environment and have a track record of creating inclusive spaces.
• Schedule Flexibility: The ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by the Portland Trail Blazers event schedule.
  
  

WE’D BE THRILLED IF YOU ALSO HAVE:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Business , Marketing, Sports Management, or a related field.
• 5+ years of leadership experience in a related industry, preferably with a focus on Sports Marketing, Media Sales, and Advertising.
• Previous experience working with a variety of sponsorship inventory management and CRM systems, demonstrating adaptability and a capacity to learn new technologies quickly.
  
  

Offers of employment are conditional upon the successful results of an individual background check. We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories and review results on an individual basis.

The Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Quarter embraces diversity and inclusion. We celebrate individual expression and uniqueness on our campus . We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination. We are committed to hiring individuals that reflect the community we serve without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, disability, g enetic information, or other legally protected characteristics . We are an equal opportunity employer .

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

PERKS:

We invest in our employees inside and outside of work. Our benefits package for full-time teammates includes:

• Competitive Healthcare Coverage
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Maternal & Parental Leave
• Flexible Time Off (3 weeks + 11 holidays)
• Wellness Perks
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Free Parking + Discounted Mass Transit Passes
• Discounted & Complimentary Tickets
• Ongoing Learning & Development
• Daily Free Lunch
  
  

Here at Rip City, we believe that our team is stronger when we bring together a diverse range of experiences, perspectives, and skills. If you’re excited about this role but don’t meet every single qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other opportunities within our organization.

We value growth, learning, and passion just as much as your past experiences. So if you bring a genuine enthusiasm for what you do and a commitment to helping us succeed, we want to hear from you!