Partnerships Manager, Events

About Topnotch Events

Topnotch Management is a leading events agency specializing in management and execution of professional tennis and squash events. We are dedicated to running successful and profitable events that showcase brands, partners and our community in the best possible way. Our team is passionate about sports, innovation, and building lasting commercial and professional relationships that drive success both on and off the court.

Job Summary

We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven Partnership Manager to lead partnership sales initiatives for our portfolio of professional tennis and squash events. This role is pivotal in identifying, negotiating, and securing sponsorships, endorsements, and collaborative opportunities that align with our event brands and values, and is responsible for revenue generation across event portfolio. The ideal candidate will have a strong network in the sports industry, exceptional sales skills, and a passion for tennis and professional growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic partnership sales plans tailored to individual events in tennis and pickleball, focusing on revenue generating sponsorships and marketing collaborations.
• Negotiate and close deals that maximize revenue and exposure for our events while ensuring mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Stay abreast of industry trends in tennis, pickleball, and sports marketing to identify emerging opportunities.
• Attend industry events, tournaments, and networking functions to represent Topnotch Management and scout new partnerships.
• Support the new business sales process from start to finish – build and manage an individual prospect list, lead thoughtful introductory calls, foster meaningful relationships with brand marketers, ideate creative solutions-oriented platforms, manage proposal and pitch process, and participate in the negotiation and execution of new partner contracts.
• Drive significant corporate partnership revenue across focus properties.
• Identify prospects in a thoughtful and strategic manner to secure meetings and dialogue opportunities.
• Regular tracking and reporting of pipeline progress across identified properties, with the expectation of refining and optimizing strategies based on data and performance.
• Work closely with internal team to create compelling pitch and proposal materials, and to fulfill and execute partnership activations and deliverables.
• Develop and maintain relationships within the sports, agency and entertainment industries.
• Act as a representative of Topnotch Events by attending events, networking opportunities, and partner meetings.
• Must be located or willing to be located in Cleveland, OH.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Sports Management, or a related field
• 3+ years of experience in partnership sales, sponsorship management, or business development
• Proven track record of closing high-value deals and generating revenue through partnerships.
• Strong understanding of the tennis ecosystem, including event branding, sponsorship trends, and market dynamics.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities, paired with an ability to collaborate deeply across event colleagues and partners.
• Proficiency in CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce), Microsoft Office Suite, and data analytics platforms.
• Passion for sports and a network of contacts in the athletic, branding, or entertainment sectors is a plus.
• Willingness to travel for events and meetings, including during non-traditional hours and weekends.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and commission structure based on performance.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, 401K and paid time off.
• Opportunities for professional growth in a supportive and innovative environment.
• Access to exclusive sports events and networking opportunities.
• A collaborative team culture focused on excellence and event success.

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.