Manager, Partnership Activation

As the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Corporate Partnerships team, we pride ourselves in providing the best client service and partner activations in the league. We are looking for a driven and knowledgeable Manager, Partnership Activation to join our team and help make this dynamic department successful.

The Manager, Partnership Activation plays a key role in overseeing the management and fulfillment process for Oklahoma City Thunder corporate partner accounts to maximize the sale of sponsorships and return on investment for corporate partners. This position manages a team to ensure the execution and achievement of sponsor objectives while maintaining world-class client service.

In this role you will:

• Manage the fulfillment of sponsored assets within a number of top-tier partnership accounts
• Act as a marketing and advertising consultant to sponsor contacts to ensure effective campaigns are crafted and executed via Thunder inventory
• Manage and provide leadership for staff while maintaining a focus on the department’s strategic goals
• Be fiscally responsible, ensuring that promotional activations are within the established budget
• Produce creative solutions and problem-solve for clients, staff, and job duties
• Organize and execute sponsor’s special hospitality events (both at Paycom Center and at sponsor locations) involving various Thunder departments, while adhering to budget guidelines
• Play a meaningful role in maintaining collateral, photographs, press releases, videos and statistics for use in preparing and presenting inclusive sponsor recaps to key decision makers during the contract renewal process
• Serve as an asset to Corporate Partnerships sales team on day-to-day partnership proposals, implementation and maintenance
• Execute and monitor sponsor promotions and activities during Thunder game nights and other Thunder functions
• Manage and track all account history, relationship details and partnership activation details in CRM on a consistent basis
• Other duties as assigned

What you’ll bring to the role:

• Bachelor’s degree in sports business, marketing, or advertising preferred; equivalent relevant work or military experience considered
• 5 years of experience in sponsorship and/or client services preferred, preferably handling multi-million-dollar client accounts
• At least 2 years of leadership or management experience preferred
• Experience in, or general knowledge of, client management and sales strategies
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Skilled in managing multiple priorities with strong attention to detail
• Strong organizational, time management, and administrative skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook; experience with Photoshop a plus
• Ability to work with many different personality types
• Self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment

Additional details:

Work schedule will include office hours plus game-night responsibilities on evenings, weekends and holidays and may include working for extended periods of time with consistent interpersonal interactions. Primary work location is Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. This role requires a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and reliable transportation for local travel. Physical requirements of the position include, standing for extended periods of time, the ability to lift and carry boxes up to 50 pounds, and work in-arena in the presence of loud music or crowd noise and flashing or strobe lighting. This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Director, Corporate Partnership Activation.

We offer a positive office environment and a robust benefits package including excellent medical, dental and vision coverage, 401k with matching funds, paid downtown parking, tuition reimbursement, employee ticket options, family gym membership subsidy, parental leave, team shop discount, and much more!

The Thunder recognizes that teams with a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills make a stronger company. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, the Thunder organization considers applicants fairly on the basis of qualifications, experience and business needs and provides equal opportunity regardless of race, color, age, sex, ancestry, ethnicity, national origin, religion, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. Applicants are considered regardless of past legal system involvement, based upon the needs of the role, nature of and recency of legal history. The Thunder is committed to a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees through its RAVE culture – Respect and Value Everyone.