Sales Manager

Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) is now accepting applications for a contractual Sales Manager position for the Chicago Tempest. Candidates must be excited to work in a startup league while building the foundation for the future.

WER is the newest women’s professional league on the US landscape. Formed as a single-entity league, WER is focused on delivering an entertaining brand of rugby to the US market and providing the highest standard of rugby available to our players. With the U.S. slated to host the 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup, all eyes are on WER to set the tone around the sport’s competitive and business success.

The purpose of this position is to serve as the point person for strategic sales and revenue generation specific to corporate sponsorships that align with the league's brand and business goals to ensure consistent communication and client satisfaction.

Specific Duties: The specific responsibilities include

• Develop and execute sales strategies to meet or exceed annual sponsorship revenue targets.
• Renew and upsell existing partnerships through relationship building and value demonstration.
• Build long-term relationships by understanding client needs and aligning them with sponsorship opportunities.
• Host and engage sponsors during games, events, and networking functions to strengthen partnerships.
• Negotiate sponsorship agreements, ensuring favorable terms for both the team and the sponsor.
• Ensure all contractual obligations are fulfilled, including signage, digital content, media exposure, and game-day experiences.
• Work closely with marketing, community relations, ticket sales, and game operations to maximize sponsorship value.
• Manage sponsor activations during games and special events, ensuring premium client experience.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Sports Management, Communications, or a related field.
• Experience: 3–5 years of sales experience, ideally in corporate partnerships, B2B sales, advertising, or media; Demonstrated success in prospecting, building relationships, and closing revenue-generating deals; Experience in account management and servicing clients.
• Valid driver’s license (for travel to sponsor meetings and events).

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Effective communicator, comfortable providing direct feedback, and experience leading and communicating within high pace and pressure environments
• Collaborator, effective listener and solution-oriented
• Ability to be a self-starter and work independently in a startup environment.

Preferred Education/Experience:

• Education: Master’s degree (MBA or related field) with a concentration in marketing, sales, or sports management. Additional coursework or certifications in sponsorship sales, negotiation, or sports marketing.
• Experience: 5–7+ years of experience in corporate sponsorship sales, preferably with a professional or collegiate sports team, sports marketing agency, or entertainment property; Proven track record of securing major sponsorship deals (naming rights, presenting partners, category exclusivity); Experience supervising or mentoring junior sales staff; Familiarity with CRM systems, sponsorship valuation tools, and ROI reporting platforms.

Application Instructions: Please include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references. Send application materials to: Careers@womenseliterugby.us

Screening of Applications Begins: For best consideration submit application materials by Monday, November 24, 2025.

Anticipated start date: The selected independent contractor is expected to start in December

Salary range: Commission based work

Contracted position: December 2025-August 2026

Background Screening Statement: A background check will be required.

Equal Opportunity Statement: WER is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications from women, minority group members, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Accommodation: If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact WER at careers@womenseliterugby.us

Work Authorization: As required by the 1986 Immigration Act, be prepared to present acceptable documentation upon hire showing your identity and that you are a U.S. citizen or an alien who is authorized to work.