Director, Partnership Marketing

Job Title: Director, Partnership Marketing

Department: Partnership Marketing - Corporate Partnerships

Reports to: Vice President, Corporate Partnerships

Job Summary

The Director of Partnership Marketing will lead the Partnership Marketing Team in building strong relationships with key internal stakeholders and corporate partners while establishing processes and procedures that effectively support partner service, activation, implementation, and fulfillment. This position will also collaborate closely with the Revenue Team to develop proactive activation ideas, strengthen partner relationships, and maximize the value of partner investments with FC Cincinnati.

The preferred candidate is a commercially minded leader with strong relationship management and operational experience. This individual is a connected, solution-oriented, results-driven leader who has strong attention to detail.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead the Partnership Marketing Team in driving the success of all corporate partnerships through strategic oversight, strong partner relationships, and consistent execution.
• Provide day-to-day leadership, development, and mentorship to the Partnership Marketing Team, establishing clear expectations, best practices, and accountability across partner management, activation, fulfillment, and renewals.
• Drive partner growth by identifying opportunities to create meaningful value for corporate partners and FC Cincinnati.
• Operate with autonomy and ownership in managing priorities, solving challenges, and advancing partner objectives with limited day-to-day direction.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships across FCC departments to ensure seamless integration and execution of partner assets, programs, events, and initiatives.
• Identify and develop new revenue opportunities across existing partnerships through upsell opportunities, new inventory, programming, activations, and other strategic solutions.
• Partner with Partnership Sales and Solutions to support business development efforts, including identifying, pitching, and helping close new FCC partnerships and incremental opportunities.
• Work closely with Partnership Solutions to evaluate partnership performance, account health, asset utilization, and partner objectives through ongoing reporting, mid-season reviews, and end-of-year business reviews.
• Collaborate with Partnership Solutions to oversee corporate partnership inventory, including signage, digital and social media, promotions, community initiatives, hospitality, tickets, suites, content, and other partnership assets.
• Develop compelling partner presentations, strategic recommendations, and activation concepts that clearly communicate the value and impact of partnering with FC Cincinnati.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior-level and C-Suite partner executives while effectively navigating multiple stakeholders throughout partner organizations.
• Maintain consistent communication with senior leadership regarding account health, renewal outlook, partner feedback, activation progress, incremental revenue opportunities, and potential risks.
• Represent FC Cincinnati and assigned partners at matches, partner events, community programs, hospitality functions, and other business-related activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Supervisor/Management.
• This position may require the employee to work extended hours, weekends and/or holidays.

What You’ll Need:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Business, Sports Management, Communications, or a related field required.
• Minimum of six (6) years of experience in partnership marketing, sponsorship, brand marketing, account management, client services, or a related field within a sports property, brand, agency, or comparable organization.
• Minimum of two (2) years of people-management experience, with demonstrated success developing, mentoring, motivating, and holding direct reports accountable.
• Proven ability to manage and grow high-value client relationships while identifying opportunities that drive partner satisfaction, retention, and incremental revenue.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (ie. Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) as well as Salesforce and partnership/CRM platforms (ie. Agilitek, KORE, SponsorCX, or similar systems).
• Highly organized and detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple high-priority accounts, projects, deadlines, and live events in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to establish processes, workflows, and team best practices that improve efficiency, accountability, and overall partner service.

 What You’ll Bring:

• Strong commercial mindset with an understanding of sponsorship strategy, activation, asset development, account growth, and partnership measurement.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with C-Suite executives, senior decision-makers, internal leadership, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strategic and creative problem-solver with the ability to anticipate partner needs, navigate complex challenges, and develop solutions that create value for both partners and FC Cincinnati.
• Strong leadership, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across multiple departments and levels of an organization.
• Comfortable utilizing data, reporting, and business insights to evaluate partnership performance and inform strategic recommendations.

Why You’ll Love FCC:

• Generous paid time off and holiday time
• Option for one work from home day per week (by department and schedule)
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 401k plan with company match
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Maternity & Paternity Leave and Family Building Benefit
• Employee Assistance Program and free subscription to the Calm App
• Discount off merchandise in the FCC team store
• Community volunteer opportunities
• Professional development and Frequent team building opportunities
• Employee recognition programs and referral programs
• Opportunity for complimentary staff tickets to home FC Cincinnati matches

About FCC

Founded in 2015, FC Cincinnati is a Major League Soccer team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. After achieving significant growth and success in the United Soccer League, the team joined MLS in 2019. FCC won the 2023 Supporters’ Shield – the annual award given to the team with the most points in the regular season – and clinched a spot in the 2023 MLS Playoffs for the second straight year. With a diverse ownership group with strong ties to Cincinnati, the club strives to unite the community both on and off the pitch through FCC Foundation, and its dedication to improving the lives of children through soccer and those in the West End Community . FC Cincinnati are committed to ongoing growth and recognizing the vital importance of company culture. The club’s DNA code, created by the staff for the staff, is actively implemented every day. FCC have been recognized locally and nationally as one of Sports Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in Sports 2023, named to the Honor List as one of “75 Great Sports Companies to Call Home.”; on the Business Courier’s Fast 55 as one of Greater Cincinnati’s fastest growing private companies; and named to The Enquirer’s Top Workplaces 2024.

Learn More!

TQL Stadium: learn more

Mercy Health Training Center: learn more

MLS NextPro:  learn more

FC Cincinnati is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.