Sr Manager, Partnership Sales - Academy of Country Music

LEGENDS

LEGENDS GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS

Delivering for the world’s largest and most complex projects, Legends Global Partnerships experts deliver innovative solutions to create integrated and meaningful partnerships, connecting our partners with the world’s premier and emerging brands in a transformational way. Our comprehensive slate of consulting and sales execution services includes delivering naming and venue entitlement positions, jersey sponsorships, premier events partnerships, emerging entertainment platforms, universities, mixed-use real estate developments and more

ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC

Founded in Southern California in 1964 as a regional trade organization, the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC (ACM) has grown to become a leading association for the Country Music industry over the last 60 years. Now headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., and boasting record-high membership of more than 5,000 worldwide, the Academy serves as a powerhouse advocate for Country fans, artists, and all facets of the business, as well as a supporter of philanthropic work through charitable partner ACM LIFTING LIVES, dedicated to improving lives through the power of music and providing aid in times of need, with a focus on health initiatives. 2024 has been another monumental year for the Academy, with the 59th ACM Awards, hosted by entertainment icon Reba McEntire, broadcast live from Texas for a second consecutive year on Prime Video. The Academy also remains relentlessly committed to creating a more inclusive environment for underrepresented groups in Country Music, from the boardroom to the stage, and proudly presents both ACM Level Up, a two-year professional development and enrichment curriculum for rising leaders, and OnRamp, a guaranteed income program for Black members of the Nashville music community, in partnership with the Black Music Action Coalition. For more information, visit or.

THE ROLE

The Sr Manager, Partnership Sales with Academy of Country Music will act as a high-level individual sales contributor, helping to identify, source, negotiate and close new business. They will connect directly with brand decision makers on a regular basis to increase market awareness of the new stadium opportunities and solicit new partnership engagements. The ideal candidate possesses a strong passion for sales development and positive enthusiasm for collaboration with teammates.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Be accountable for annual revenue goals, pipeline management and growth goals.
• Individual contributor yet strategic thinker to drive long-term partner opportunities, while executing against short-term go-to-market sales strategies.
• Self-starter who likes to develop and build partner opportunities from the ground up.
• Leverage network, relationships, and cold outreach to identify potential new partnerships.
• Flexible and nimble to work within an ever-changing and ever-growing environment.
• Create newsworthy innovative partnerships that pioneer new categories, inventory, campaigns/platforms, and/or partner integrations.
• Develop a deep understanding of target partner categories.
• Ability to prospect through extensive company and executive research for strategic market engagement.
• Ability to construct a brand prospect pipeline and creative outreach plan (via targeting and qualifying leads. through calls and referrals) for potential opportunities with regional, national, and international companies.
• Ability to establish and maintain relationships with prospects and clients from VPs through the C-suite.
• Communicate with external executive staff and stakeholders to coordinate meetings and other touchpoints throughout the sales process.
• Collaborate with internal and external staff to plan, ideate, and develop strategic marketing platforms to present to new prospects.
• Coordinate with Legends Global Partnerships teammates to maximize efficiency and effectiveness of sales process, inclusive of managing and maintaining internal communication platforms (i.e., CRM).
• Self-motivated with entrepreneurial spirit.
• Possess an optimistic team attitude and competitive desire to be the best.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, the candidate must be able to perform each essential duty above at the highest levels. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Minimum of 6+ years of successful corporate sales, premium sales, or brand sponsorship sales experience directly in sponsorship/corporate partnerships.
• Proven track record in closing long-term, seven or eight figure integrated marketing partnerships.
• High-level relationships at large corporations, particularly companies with national and global sponsorship portfolios.
• Experience driving revenue growth with emerging opportunities and established partnerships.
• Demonstrates experience using sales materials and market insights to craft strategy and narrative.
• Storyteller with experience communicating the benefit of marketing opportunities to clients.
• Communication and presentation experience with an emphasis on translating insights, product information, and data into partner value
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills to develop strong working relationships with partners, teammates, and other stakeholders.
• Capacity to meet challenging sales objectives in a high profile, competitive marketplace.
• Ability to manage a high level of detail across multiple projects and to prioritize efficiently.
• Expertise in identifying opportunities, developing strategies, and negotiating creative solutions.
• Familiarity with digital media marketing and social media platforms.
• Creativity to develop strategic and purpose driven marketing platforms.
• Experience in building out innovative presentations in Keynote or PowerPoint.
• High emotional intelligence, intellectual curiosity and desire to grow professionally.
• Ability to prioritize and meet competing deadlines independently.
• Ability to manage multiple task simultaneously, while remaining organized, efficient and calm under pressure
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.

COMPENSATION

Competitive salary, commensurate with experience, and a generous benefits package that includes: medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, paid vacation, and 401k plan.

WORKING CONDITIONS

LOCATION: On Site - Nashville, TN

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, hear; use hands to finger, and handle controls. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to stand, walk, and stoop. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Legends is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or genetic information.

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