Sales and Sponsorship Manager
Next Level Sports & Entertainment · Detroit, MI · Yesterday
MarketingFull-time
About the role
The Sales & Sponsorship Manager will serve as a key revenue driver across NLSE, the NCL, and NLSE's suite of broadcast technology products. This role carries a dual mandate: driving sponsorship and advertising revenue across sports and entertainment properties, while simultaneously building a B2B client base for Cue, Vital, Verge, and Master Control solutions. This position requires a strategic thinker and relationship builder who can operate across two distinct but complementary sales tracks — consumer-facing sports sponsorship and B2B broadcast technology sales — while delivering best-in-class results across all revenue streams.
Responsibilities
Sponsorship & Advertising Sales
- Develop and implement a robust sponsorship and ad sales strategy aligned with the growth goals of NLSE and the NCL.
- Identify and target brands and agencies interested in reaching passionate sports fans across linear, digital, and social platforms.
- Build and manage a pipeline of advertising and sponsorship opportunities including media placements, branded content integrations, live event sponsorships, and promotional partnerships.
- Develop creative, tailored sponsorship packages that leverage NLSE's programming, live events, affiliate channels, and digital assets.
- Lead high-level presentations, pitches, and negotiations to secure long-term advertising deals, sponsorships, and brand integrations.
- Manage the full sales cycle from prospecting to close, meeting and exceeding annual revenue targets.
- Act as the primary point of contact for sponsor accounts, ensuring fulfillment of all contractual obligations and maximizing partner satisfaction.
- Manage relationships at the C-suite and senior marketing level.
B2B Technology Sales — Cue, Vital, Verge & Master Control
- Prospect, pitch, and close B2B sales of NLSE's full broadcast technology product suite to media companies, broadcasters, streaming platforms, sports networks, and content distributors.
- Develop a deep understanding of each product's capabilities and value proposition:
- Cue: Position and sell as a self-serve ad platform solution to media buyers, broadcasters, and digital publishers seeking streamlined ad management.
- Vital: Target content owners, broadcasters, and streaming services requiring live language translation and captioning to expand audience reach and meet accessibility standards.
- Verge: Sell to sports networks, news organizations, and content platforms looking for fast, efficient clipping and highlight distribution capabilities.
- Master Control Operations: Engage broadcast operators, regional networks, and streaming services in need of end-to-end playout, delivery, scheduling, and trafficking solutions.
- Build and maintain a robust B2B pipeline, managing the full sales cycle from initial outreach and product demonstration through contract negotiation and close.
- Identify and attend industry conferences, trade shows, and broadcast technology events to generate leads and build brand awareness for NLSE's technology products.
- Collaborate with internal operations and technology teams to ensure smooth client onboarding and ongoing satisfaction.
- Provide market feedback on product positioning, pricing, and competitive landscape to inform product development and go-to-market strategy.
- Develop case studies, sales collateral, and pitch materials that effectively communicate the ROI of each broadcast technology solution.
Strategy & Market Development
- Conduct market analysis to identify new revenue opportunities across both the sports sponsorship and broadcast technology landscapes.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, content, and operations teams to develop compelling sponsorship and product sales assets.
- Identify cross-sell and upsell opportunities between NLSE's media properties and its technology product suite.
Reporting & Performance
- Utilize CRM tools and analytics platforms to track pipeline, forecast revenue, and report on performance across all product lines.
- Present sales results, sponsorship recaps, and B2B technology sales updates to senior leadership.
- Continuously refine sales approaches based on data, client feedback, and market conditions.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Sports Management, or a related field.
- 5+ years of progressive sales experience, with demonstrated success in both B2B technology or SaaS sales and sports/media sponsorship sales preferred.
- Proven track record of meeting or exceeding revenue targets across multiple product lines.
- Experience selling advertising, sponsorships, or integrated marketing solutions to brands and agencies.
- Comfort selling technology solutions to media, broadcast, or streaming clients.
- Strong understanding of sports media, live events, and digital content ecosystems.
- Exceptional communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
- Proficiency with CRM systems and sales analytics tools.
- Willingness to travel occasionally and work weekends as needed.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience selling broadcast technology, ad-tech, or SaaS products to media companies or content distributors.
- Familiarity with master control operations, captioning/accessibility solutions, ad serving platforms, or content clipping tools.
- Experience working with minority-owned or mission-driven media platforms.
- Familiarity with collegiate sports, lacrosse, or niche sports sponsorship sales.
- Existing network of contacts across sports media, broadcast operations, or entertainment marketing.
- MBA or advanced degree in a related field.