Manager, Global Partnerships

Who are we:
A professional basketball team and state-of-the-art arena/entertainment venue that specializes in creating memorable experiences for each guest we interact with. Some of our favorite things are live sports, concerts, comedy shows, family shows, and most any other world-class event you can think of, and we’re looking for someone who shares the same interests. We live for the fast-paced world of sports & live entertainment, and as such, we work hard, run fast, execute flawlessly, and party it up when it all comes together. Lastly, we strive to deliver wonderful experiences that create lasting memories, and we prefer to surround ourselves with those who are the best at what they do.

Who are you:
An enthusiastic lover of sports, live entertainment, and people. You have true passion for engaging in meaningful interactions and creating memorable experiences for all guests. You strive to be helpful, engaging, and knowledgeable of all things Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena. You enjoy being a part of an exciting and dynamic group, and you’re committed to continuously enhancing the productivity and effectiveness of your team. Lastly, you enjoy working hard and celebrating hard, and you’d be shocked if guests weren’t positively impacted by their interactions with you.

Job Summary:

The Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena are seeking a high-caliber, strategic B2B sales professional to join our Global Partnerships team. This role is dedicated to identifying and securing long-term sponsorships by leveraging the massive reach of an NBA franchise and a premier, top-tier global entertainment venue.

Unlike traditional transactional sales, this position follows a sophisticated, consultative-based sales process. You will be responsible for leading prospective partners through a comprehensive needs analysis to uncover their core business objectives, pain points, and marketing goals. By deeply understanding a client’s unique landscape, you will collaborate with our internal development team and senior level leadership to create a bespoke, solutions-based sponsorship platform.

Your success will be defined by your ability to move beyond "off-the-shelf" assets, instead engineering tailored partnerships that integrate digital media, in-arena branding, community programs and exclusive hospitality. We are looking for a relationship-driven closer who can articulate the value of the Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena’s brand to C-suite executives and deliver innovative marketing solutions that drive measurable ROI for our partners.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead Generation & Prospecting

• Proactively identify and research new business prospects, focusing on high-growth categories and brands that align with the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena.

Sales Support & Collaboration

• Partner closely with senior leadership to advance partnership opportunities; you will be responsible for the "groundwork" of the sale while receiving direct mentorship and support to help close deals.

Proposal Development

• Assist in the creation of customized, data-driven sales presentations and written proposals that address the specific marketing needs of prospective partners.

Consultative Learning

• Develop a deep understanding of the consultative sales process, learning to design integrated sponsorship platforms that deliver measurable business impact.

Pipeline Management

• Maintain meticulous records in our CRM (Salesforce/KORE), ensuring all outreach, meetings, and sales stages are accurately tracked and reported.

Market Research

• Stay current on industry trends, local market activity, and competitor partnerships to provide actionable insights to the sales team.

Event Execution

• Support the department’s relationship-building efforts through on-site activation and partner hosting at assigned team, league, and arena events.

Professional Development

• Actively participate in coaching sessions and team meetings, applying feedback to refine sales techniques and professional growth.

Requirements:

• 4 years of experience in sponsorship sales, media sales, or a related revenue-generating role
• Coachability: A high degree of self-awareness and a desire to learn; must be someone who actively seeks feedback and implements it quickly.
• Work Ethic: A "first-one-in" mentality with a relentless drive to hit activity goals and uncover new opportunities.
• Organization: Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and administrative priorities without things falling through the cracks.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent the brand professionally in person and over email.
• Technical Aptitude: Familiarity with CRM tools (Salesforce/KORE), LinkedIn Sales Navigator, and the Microsoft Office Suite (specifically PowerPoint and Excel).
• Passion: A genuine love for the "art of the sale" and a desire to build a long-term career in sports and entertainment partnerships.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, or a related field required

Working Conditions:

• Environment: Office setting, with occasional travel for meetings or events.
• Hours: Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, with flexibility to work outside regular hours as needed.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.

If this opportunity looks exciting to you, please complete the application process. Go Hawks!