Chicago Blackhawks

**Job Title:** Account Executive, Corporate Partnerships Business Development
**Department:** Corporate Partnerships
**Reports To:** Manager, Corporate Partnerships Business Development
**Location:** Chicago / United Center (In-Office)
**Hours:** 9:00 am - 5:00 pm / Monday - Friday
**Status:** Fulltime, Exempt
**# Direct Reports:** None
**Compensation:** The annual budgeted salary for this position is $60,000-$70,000. Offers are made within this range and are based on relevant experience, skills, and qualifications.

*The Chicago Blackhawks is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, religion or religious creed, color, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, local law, ordinance, or regulation and will not be discriminated against on these bases. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities.*

**Role Summary:**

The core responsibility of this Corporate Partnerships Business Development role will be generating revenue via the development of high-level partnerships across the enterprise (Chicago Blackhawks, United Center, Fifth Third Arena, Rockford Ice Hogs, Chicago Steel). This position requires a highly energetic and self-motivated individual with a strategic mindset to drive their team to annual success. This role will focus on prospecting and developing impactful partnerships that are high in monetary value while also aligning with our organizational philosophies.

**Primary Responsibilities:**

* Identify qualified partnership prospects via research, prospecting, outreach, networking and maintain a consistent pipeline of potential businesses in assigned categories.
* Prospect local, national, and international companies from leads provided through internal processes, individual research, outreach, and networking.
* Sell partnership assets including tv-visible signage, in-arena signage and videoboard placements, social and digital content, one-of-a-kind experiences, tickets, etc.
* Communicate with new prospects to book meetings and conduct a marketing needs analysis.
* Conduct strategic conversations with prospects to understand their business objectives, ultimately building partnership proposals based on their objectives that drives value for both the Blackhawks and the partner.
* Manage the sales process from initial touchpoint through contract execution while meeting and exceeding individual and team goals.
* Maintain diligent and real-time Salesforce CRM and KORE entry.
* Collaborate with peers to obtain necessary deliverables for presentations and contracts.
* Develop relationships through networking, events, social functions, and game attendance.
* Game day responsibilities include: entertaining potential partners in the Blackhawks marketing suite, assisting other department functions as needed in execution and monitoring of partner activations.
* Lead category strategy and proposal development with the ability to present partnership opportunities in a professional and persuasive manor.
* Assist in various organizational functions, special projects, and other duties as assigned.

**Qualifications & Requirements:**

* 2-3 years of sponsorship selling experience and a track record of success.
* Partnership or advertising selling experience with a professional sports team preferred.
* Enthusiastic collaborator and belief that varying perspectives and contributors create an improved outcome.
* Proven ability to prospect with a track record of scheduling initial meetings and calls.
* Superior written and verbal communication skills both externally with prospects and internally with individuals at every level of the organization.
* Strong public speaking and presentation skills.
* Ability to solve problems independently with customized solutions.
* Strong computer skills with Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, CRM (Salesforce) and the internet.
* Experience with SponsorUnited, Salesforce and SportsDigita preferred.
* Possessing professional contacts in the Chicagoland and surrounding areas is a plus.
* Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays as event schedule commands.
* Ability to address, adapt to, and overcome challenges in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
* Demonstrated aptitude for driving results.
* High attention to detail.
* Passion for sports and hockey.
* Demonstrates Chicago Blackhawks core values of integrity, curiosity, empathy, collaboration, and originality.

**What It’s Like Working Here:**

The Chicago Blackhawks experience isn’t just on the ice. Our office, located in the United Center, promotes a fun, engaging, fast-paced and collaborative atmosphere where we can celebrate both hockey and each other. Our commitment to curating an environment where all individuals feel empowered to bring their best self to work each day can be seen throughout our organization. Whether you are a job seeker looking to join the organization, a current member of our amazing team, or someone looking to help support our mission, our goal is the same – to reimagine the potential of hockey through memorable, inclusive experiences.

**Perks and Benefits:**

Competitive total rewards package, full benefits (medical, dental, vision, 401k matching, paid life insurance), employee assistance program (EAP), comprehensive PTO package, social events, volunteer opportunities, and learning and development. Employer-paid breakfast, lunch, parking, on-site gym and training classes, employee ticket program, and more.

**The Team**:

The Chicago Blackhawks started their journey as one of the NHL’s “Original Six” professional ice hockey teams in 1926. Members of the Central Division in the NHL’s Western Conference and six-time Stanley Cup Champions (1934, 1938, 1961, 2010, 2013, 2015), the team calls the United Center home.

Each day the Team works to uphold our mission to reimagine the potential of hockey. At its core, the team and greater organization uphold its mission through its core values centered around integrity, curiosity, empathy, collaboration, and originality. They are fiercely dedicated to evolving and delivering new and legendary fan experiences and captivating new and diverse audiences, both on and off the ice. As part of their unwavering commitment to drive impact and purpose in the Chicago community, the organization opened the Fifth Third Arena (the team’s official practice facility and community space for youth hockey development), continues to make expansions to the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation, and acquired the AHL team the Rockford IceHogs.

The Chicago Blackhawks continue to grow in its commitments to honor and celebrate Black Hawk's legacy by offering our platforms, making meaningful contributions, collaborating with Native American people, and reimagining ways to support the many Native American people and communities they live amongst and alongside. They engage in this work through their formal partnership with Black Hawk’s ancestral tribe, the Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma, which the tribe established with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2021.

Account Executive, Corporate Partnerships Business Development

Chicago Blackhawks

@NHLBlackhawks

Job Description