Senior Coordinator, or Manager, Partner Management

Background
Location: 303 E Wacker Dr., Suite 2200, Chicago, IL
Type: Full-time, permanent position
Division: Strategic Partnerships
Reports to: Director, Partner Management

Overview
The Association of Pickleball Players | The APP Tour (APP) is dedicated to providing the best pickleball tournament experience for all. The APP, owned by Intersport, was founded in 2019 and serves professionals, senior professionals, and amateurs in the fastest-growing sport in the country. The first and only tour officially sanctioned by USA Pickleball, the APP Tour boasts tournament stops, as well as Showcase Series, International, and Collegiate Series events. The APP also prides itself on developing the next generation of champions through its APP Next Series and other youth initiatives. You can view the 2026 Tour schedule here:

The Position
The APP is seeking to add a smart and driven Senior Coordinator, or Manager, Partner Management to its Strategic Partnerships team. The Strategic Partnerships team leads the APP’s sponsorship and media sales efforts. The SC, or Manager, will be responsible for ensuring the flawless execution and fulfillment of all contracted marketing rights and benefits to corporate partners while providing strategic, creative, and responsive client management and service to partners. As such, the right candidate will have experience in sponsorship marketing and experiential/event marketing. Working in collaboration with our partnership sales professionals, the SC, or Manager, will be expected to retain and grow partner commitments within their portfolio. The right candidate must possess a consultative approach to client management and ideally be able to detail success in having successfully managed corporate partners with six, and seven-figure sponsorship (annual fee) agreements.

Responsibilities
General

• Embody and reflect the APP’s performance-based culture and commit him/herself and team to the highest standards for all work
• Work effectively with cross-functional teams to deliver executional excellence

Partner Management & Communication

• Lead and set an example for responsive and astute management and support of the APP’s corporate partner clients
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding and a passion for his/her corporate partner clients’ industries, businesses, consumers and brands, including an understanding of their competitive set and industry
• Maintain a comprehensive and detailed knowledge of each partner client’s rights and benefits (i.e. contractual assets) inclusive of delivery status and related project management and corresponding communications
• Establish himself/herself as a trusted strategic business partner and “go to” resource for both the partner client and internal partnership sales team members
• Demonstrate leadership and presence in all partner client interaction – meetings, calls/video conferences, correspondence, etc.
• Lead coordination and administration of regular conference calls
• Actively contribute to brainstorming and idea generation sessions to conceptualize and develop new and enhanced activation platforms for current and prospective partners

Program & Project Management

• Create and maintain administrative documents in a clear, concise and detailed manner for client and agency backup including points of view, recaps, reporting, agendas, and timelines
• Manage and oversee the creative and production briefing process
• In collaboration with partnership sales colleagues, provide accountability for managing internal legal process and agreement/contract administration

Team Management

• Apply a genuine eagerness to mentor, grow, and learn from a diverse and talented team
• When necessary, help manage and train junior-level team member(s) and select other team members, with responsibility for goal setting, feedback, and constructive guidance

Deliverables Oversight

• Oversee junior team members’ production of:
  • PowerPoint presentations (e.g. decks) with a high-level aesthetic and an exacting level of detail
  • Research and project management for a variety of ad hoc assignments for the Strategic Partnerships team
  • Administrative support and prep and follow-up materials for prospect/client meetings and following events and administrative documents in a clear, concise and detailed manner
  • Benefits summaries, program/event recaps, etc.

Event Execution

• Assist in the oversight of APP events including coordination and communication between internal departments and external prospects/clients

Salary and Benefits
The targeted salary range for this position is $55,000 to $75,000, depending on full-time, non-internship professional relevant experience. Senior Coordinator requires 2 to 4 years’ experience; Manager requires 4 to 6 years’ experience.

This position includes medical, dental, vision, parental leave benefits and 401(k) with company match for qualified employees. This position does not include bonuses, commissions, or other incentives.

Qualifications

• Senior Coordinator : two (2) to four (4) years’ professional, relevant, non-internship, full-time experience in a marketing role at an agency, brand, media company, sports or entertainment property, or related organization
• Manager : four (4) to six (six) years’ professional, relevant, non-internship, full-time experience in a marketing role at an agency, brand, media company, sports or entertainment property, or related organization
• Proven success in the sports/entertainment/lifestyle marketing landscape, specifically sponsorship management/servicing and experiential/event marketing
• Demonstrated ability to lead a high-level partner/client management function
• Experience working in a collaborate manner with partnership sales team members
• Experience leading the flawless delivery of a broad range of contractual rights and benefits (i.e. marketing assets)
• Ability to manage multiple programs/projects concurrently, inclusive of a detail oriented and organized approach
• Application of superior prioritization and time-management skills
• Ability to produce high quality work at a fast pace
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Proactive, team player with a strong work ethic
• Exemplary written and oral communication skills
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint and Word; proficiency in Excel
• Graphic design capabilities (e.g. Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign) a plus
• Ability to travel for frequent business trips typically lasting between four (4) days to five (5) days per event

The Association of Pickleball Players, LLC. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.