Director, Partnership Activation
Washington Spirit
On-site
Falls Church, Virginia, United States
The Washington Spirit is seeking a Director, Partnership Activation to lead the execution strategy for our corporate portfolio while playing a critical role in commercial development. You will oversee the physical delivery of partner rights, manage external vendor relationships, and help drive the creative "packaging" of assets / platforms to support new business. The ideal candidate will have a strong background, a history of exceeding targets, a “figure it out” mentality, and be an ultimate teammate and collaborator.
This role does have leadership responsibilities, overseeing a Manager, Partnership Activation.
Key Responsibilities :
Team Leadership & Management
- Direct Supervision: Manage, mentor, and develop at least one Manager-level direct report (e.g., Manager, Partnership Activation), ensuring clear goal setting and professional growth.
- Standardization: Establish best-in-class service standards and account management workflows for the department, implementing advanced tracking and proof of partnership performance.
Activation Leadership & Vendor Management
- Execution: Oversee the end-to-end delivery of all partnership assets, including in-stadium signage, digital campaigns, matchday hospitality, and experiential activations.
- Strategic Planning: Lead account specific strategic planning on an annual basis.
Platform Development & Commercial Packaging
- Asset Development: Collaborate with the VP of Corporate Partnerships to conceptualize and build new sellable platforms (e.g., a new community initiative, a halftime show concept, or a digital content series).
- Sales Enablement: "Package" these platforms into compelling sales materials and decks that the sales team can use to pitch new business or upsell existing partners.
- Inventory Management: Monitor clear inventory of all sellable assets to ensure the sales team is pitching available real estate.
Reporting, Analytics & Retention
- Data Strategy: Lead the partnership reporting process. Move beyond standard recaps to create data-rich presentations that demonstrate ROO (Return on Objectives) using media value, social engagement metrics, and fan demographic data. Ideally has experience with platforms such as Zoomph, VisionInsights, and SponsorCX.
- Renewal Support: Utilizing performance data, proactively identify "at-risk" accounts and work with leadership to develop retention strategies.
- Account Growth: Work with Partnership Development team and VP of Corporate Partnerships to identify, pursue, and close upsell opportunities collaboratively.
Qualifications:
- Experience: 7+ years in sports sponsorship activation with a team, league, or agency.
- Management Experience: Minimum 2 years of experience managing direct reports is required.
- Commercial Mindset: Demonstrated ability to understand what "sells" and how to package assets for revenue generation.
- Availability: Must be available to work all Washington Spirit home matches and select partner events.
Compensation:
- Washington Spirit offers a competitive compensation package, medical, dental, vision, disability insurance, life insurance and 401k retirement plan.
All applicants must pass a pre-employment background check.
Equal Opportunity Statement:
Washington Spirit is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.