Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

Under the direction of the Director of Partnerships, the Manager of Partnerships is responsible for driving new sponsorship business, activating sponsor agreements, and maintaining client relationships to achieve department revenue goals for OVG at McCormick Place, Wintrust Arena and the Arie Crown Theatre.

The Manager of Partnerships is responsible for generating revenue through the sale of integrated sponsorship, entitlement spaces, digital advertising, premium seating, and hospitality packages throughout the property. We are looking for hard-working, creative individuals who have a passion for the entertainment industry. Suitable candidates for the role are commercially aggressive professionals who have a proven track record in the sponsorship sales space of delivering high value deals to regional and national brands with creative activation strategies. Strong candidates will have experience selling sport and entertainment sponsorships or advertising in Chicago and possess the capability to work collaboratively with multiple business stakeholders.

This role pays a base salary of $75,000 to $85,000 plus sales commission.

Benefits for FT roles: Health, Dental and Vision insurance, 401(k) savings plan, 401(k) matching, and paid time off (vacation days, sick days, and 12 holidays).

This position will remain open until December 31, 2024.

McCormick Place, located in downtown Chicago, is the largest convention center in North America. With over 2.6 million square feet of exhibition space, the campus proudly hosts some of the world’s largest and most prestigious conventions, meetings, and trade shows, welcoming approximately 3 million visitors to Chicago every year. 

• Responsible for growing revenue via new and existing business partnerships and through accomplishing individual and departmental sales
• Support the department’s new business sales process from start to finish – identify and manage individual account prospect list, CRM input, relationship development, client objective-based ideation, proposal building, pitching, negotiating, closing, contract execution.
• Relentlessly prospect new business weekly to set meetings with qualified prospects, fill the pipeline and advance business relationships quickly and efficiently.
• Host and entertain existing and prospective clients during events.
• Manage ticketing distribution and hospitality for clients.
• Work with Director of Partnerships to help develop and execute a strategic plan to drive revenue for OVG and McCormick Place.
• Create and manage high-value, fully-integrated advertising and sponsorship packages that are in line with a partner’s marketing and business objectives.
• Set appointments, meetings, and presentations with C-suite executives to secure sponsorship contracts in order to meet and exceed revenue goals.
• Proactively identify and collaboratively assess partnership opportunities while establishing new client relationships utilizing various sales strategies, including but not limited to, research, cold calls, site visits, and outside sales calls.
• Provide partners with Proof of Performance and Recaps to assist renewal and upsell opportunities.
• Create new sales collateral or modify existing collateral as required for both OVG and your Facility.
• Meet and exceed sales revenue quota as well as other goals set by your manager.
• Effectively communicate client expectations and contractual obligations to appropriate internal departments to properly execute contracted sponsorship agreements.
• Establish and maintain complete and efficient records of all partner/prospect contacts that are accessible by OVG.
• Work with internal departments to develop and execute programs that support partnership programs and elements.
• Provide regular reports as required by your manager for sales pipeline, revenue achievements, prospecting, and forecasting through proper recording methods provided by your manager.
• Conduct business during non-traditional hours, taking advantage of opportunities to interact with clients and prospects during games, events and off-site gatherings.
• Day of event responsibilities such as sponsorship activation setup, coordination, entertaining clients, premium seating preparation and fulfilling necessary sponsorship contract obligations.
• Sell the full suite of OVG Global Partnerships assets on a local and national scale incorporating your property, other OVG 360 properties, 3rd Party, Arena Alliance, Owned & Operated and other OVG opportunities.

• Ideally 3-5 years of sponsorship sales experience, preferably in the sports and entertainment or advertising and brand sales industries.
• Entrepreneurial mindset to take ownership of your role and improve those around you.
• Knowledge of the sport/event sponsorship sales and advertising industry.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and presentation skills.
• Ability to quickly establish personal relationships through trust, knowledge, and empathy.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Must be available to work flexible hours including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• A self-starter that has the ability to multitask, reacts well under pressure, and is able to work in a fast-paced environment.
• A hard worker who values integrity and respect for others, and a team player who also understands how to lead.
• Exceptional organizational skills with an ability to handle multiple assignments in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Strong working knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams).

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.