Vice President of Partnerships

Buffy Filippell (Founder, TeamWork Consulting) is leading this search. Please contact her at buffy@teamworkonline.com with any questions. This position is located in Knoxville, TN. It is not a remote position. Position primarily reports to One Knoxville SC Managing Partner, Drew McKenna.

About One Knoxville SC

One Knoxville SC is a professional soccer club that is in love with Knoxville, TN. We compete in USL League One and exist to build a more dynamic, more united, more prideful future for our City. In addition to our Men’s professional side, we have a Women’s First Team competing in the USL W League, 1,600 Knoxville kids in our youth soccer club, and 2,000+ Knoxville adults competing in our Adult Rec Leagues. We are using soccer to create WINNING experiences for families, fans, and Knoxville.

Our Front Office is a team of motivated self-starters who are unflinchingly committed to bettering our City, our Club, and ourselves. We are competitive in succeeding off the field so we can build a winner on the field. We are seeking a strategic, driven, and relationship-oriented sales leader to spearhead our partnership efforts and drive organizational growth.

PRINCIPAL FUNCTION

The VP of Partnerships leads the strategic vision, execution, and growth of the club’s corporate partnerships program. This leadership role oversees all aspects of sponsorship sales, activation, and partner relations, driving revenue generation through innovative sales campaigns, lead generation, and long-term strategic relationships. The Vice President will supervise and mentor the Partnership Sales & Activation Manager, ensuring the department operates efficiently and effectively while aligning partnership initiatives with the organization’s broader goals.

FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Strategic Leadership & Revenue Delivery

• Develop and execute a comprehensive partnerships strategy aligned with the club’s business objectives.
• Identify, target, and secure new sponsorship opportunities while managing high-level negotiations with prospective partners.
• Drive revenue growth through acquisition, renewal, and expansion of local, regional, and national partnerships.
• Stay informed on market trends, competitor activity, and emerging sponsorship models to maintain a competitive advantage.
• Lead long-term forecasting, planning, and strategy development for future partnership initiatives.

Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and support a partnership team of two, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and performance.
• Oversee daily operations and provide the Partnership Sales & Activation Manager with guidance and resources for success.
• Set performance goals, monitor progress, and facilitate professional development opportunities.

Partner Relationship Management

• Serve as the senior point of contact for key accounts, ensuring all deliverables exceed expectations.
• Oversee fulfillment, reporting, and execution of partnership assets and contractual obligations.
• Proactively identify upsell, renewal, and customization opportunities that add value for partners and the club.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with marketing, community relations, operations, and ticketing departments to deliver integrated partnership activations.
• Ensure cohesive partner messaging across all channels—digital, in-stadium, community, and broadcast.
• Participate in matchday and event operations to support partner activations and relationship-building.

Reporting & Analysis

• Track, analyze, and report on partnership performance metrics and ROI to internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Maintain accurate records in CRM and other sales tools to manage the pipeline, track activation timelines, and forecast revenue.
• Provide insights and strategic recommendations based on data to enhance partnership performance and value creation.

DEVELOPMENT

• Implement new systems, technologies, and processes that increase departmental efficiency and data-driven decision-making.
• Explore innovative sponsorship categories and non-traditional revenue opportunities. Champion professional growth within the partnerships team through coaching, mentorship, and skill development.
• Represent One Knoxville SC in the community and at industry events to expand the club’s network and visibility.

OTHER

• Ensure compliance with all league, organizational, and ethical standards.
• Serve as a visible and professional ambassador of the organization in all community and media engagements.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by executive leadership.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds for setup and teardown of activations.
• Ability to work in both office and stadium environments.
• Regular weekend and evening work required during the season.
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, CRM systems, and presentation tools.
• Flexible schedule with availability for evenings, weekends, and matchdays.

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.