What are the responsibilities and job description for the Corporate Sponsorships Manager position at Kalamazoo Growlers?
JOB TITLE: Corporate Sponsorships Manager
REPORTS TO: Vice President of Business Operations
COMPANY: Kalamazoo Growlers
About The Organization
The Kalamazoo Growlers are a summer collegiate baseball team in the Northwoods League. The Growlers are two-time Northwoods League Champions (2022, 2024) and four-time Northwoods League Organization of the Year recipients (2016, 2020, 2022, 2024). The baseball team consistently finishes in the top 5 in attendance in the league each year and has been ranked the #2 ballpark in the country. Over the years the team is known for its outrageous promotions including our 6-year old Manager "Coach Drake", 2014's Ballpark Digest's Promotion of the year "Salute to Selfie Night" and more. The Growlers play their games at Honor Credit Union Stadium, a 3,500 seat ballpark located just outside of downtown Kalamazoo.
Position Summary
The Kalamazoo Growlers are looking for an energetic and passionate Corporate Sponsorships Manager to be the heart of our Sponsorship Sales team. This role will primarily be focused on meeting with businesses, creating custom partnership packages and promotions, and cultivating relationships with current partners and prospects.
This is an outside sales role, meaning you'll be responsible for generating new business revenue by prospecting and selling Growlers sponsorship packages while utilizing a consultative and creative approach to meet the needs of potential partners. This position will focus on prospecting and selling to businesses in the Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan region.
What You'll Be Doing
About The Organization
The Kalamazoo Growlers are a summer collegiate baseball team in the Northwoods League. The Growlers are two-time Northwoods League Champions (2022, 2024) and four-time Northwoods League Organization of the Year recipients (2016, 2020, 2022, 2024). The baseball team consistently finishes in the top 5 in attendance in the league each year and has been ranked the #2 ballpark in the country. Over the years the team is known for its outrageous promotions including our 6-year old Manager "Coach Drake", 2014's Ballpark Digest's Promotion of the year "Salute to Selfie Night" and more. The Growlers play their games at Honor Credit Union Stadium, a 3,500 seat ballpark located just outside of downtown Kalamazoo.
Position Summary
The Kalamazoo Growlers are looking for an energetic and passionate Corporate Sponsorships Manager to be the heart of our Sponsorship Sales team. This role will primarily be focused on meeting with businesses, creating custom partnership packages and promotions, and cultivating relationships with current partners and prospects.
This is an outside sales role, meaning you'll be responsible for generating new business revenue by prospecting and selling Growlers sponsorship packages while utilizing a consultative and creative approach to meet the needs of potential partners. This position will focus on prospecting and selling to businesses in the Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan region.
What You'll Be Doing
- Meet or exceed yearly sales goals as established by the Vice President of Business Operations.
- Meet or exceed weekly activity and touchpoint goals including meeting set (10 per week), calls (20-30 per day), emails, etc.
- Research and identify potential categories and specific companies to target via direct phone contact, email, networking, and events.
- Develop and present customized sponsorship proposals that may include signage, custom promotions, digital/social, premium hospitality, and more.
- Collaborate with the sponsorship activation team to fulfil sponsorship agreements and deliverables once the new sponsor has been signed.
- Assist in revenue growth and retention efforts during renewal campaigns.
What We're Looking For
- You have a positive attitude and an amazing phone presence. You can make anyone smile through the phone.
- You are passionate about connecting with the community and love the idea of working with businesses.
- You're super organized and can juggle multiple conversations and deals at once without breaking a sweat.
- You're a self-starter with a competitive drive, but you thrive as part of a team.
- You're a "people person" in the truest sense. You're not afraid to strike up a conversation and can build rapport with anyone.
- You're organized, self-motivated, and know how to manage your time to get the best results.
- You understand that working in sports isn't a typical 9-to-5, and you're excited about the energy of game days.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Sport Management, Marketing, or related field
- 1-2 years of corporate sponsorship sales experience
- Hunter style salesperson, taking ownership of the entire sales process from prospecting, cold calling, meeting, follow up, and closing.
- Strong presentation skills (written and verbal)
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
- Demonstrates strong negotiating and closing skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
- Willingness and ability to work long hours, including holidays and weekends as required
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive salary with an aggressive commission structure
- Health, dental, and vision benefits
- 401(k) matching program
- Unlimited PTO Policy* (time off requests must be approved in advance by management)
- Free gym membership
- Monthly social and group outings with front office staff
Questions? Please feel free to email denny@growlersbaseball.com.
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.