Director of Partnerships

What You’ll Do In this role, you will lead Prep Network's partnership and sponsorship business end-to-end. You'll own high-value partner sales, from packaging and proposals through negotiation and contract execution, and you'll manage the relationships that keep those partners renewing, upgrading, and growing with us year over year. Beyond sales, you'll own the ad infrastructure and product roadmap that scales our sponsorship and media revenue across nine brands and 500+ annual events. You'll coordinate partnership and ad operations across the company to keep execution tight, and you'll manage departmental budgeting and resource allocation to protect margins while driving sustainable growth. This is a role for someone who can sell a six-figure partnership on Monday and review a product roadmap or a budget variance on Tuesday. Who We Are Prep Network is a sports company that connects high school athletes with college coaches. Through our nine brands, we publish over 4,000 articles each month and actively scout talented athletes across the U.S. We aim to discover and promote promising prospects who aspire to play at the collegiate level. In addition to our content, Prep Network is the top event operator in the U.S., hosting 200+ tournaments annually. We offer a combination of top-tier competitions and extensive media exposure for attending teams. Our 250+ showcases each year provide a platform for over 10,000+ prospects to compete in front of colleges, scouts, and media outlets. We’re pumped to have been named one of the "Best Places to Work" by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal for five years running, and to land a spot on the 2026 Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies. Prep Network isn’t your average sports company; we’re all about we’re all about helping student-athletes succeed and creating an awesome workplace. Core Responsibilities Lead high-value partner sales through packaging, proposals, negotiation, and contract execution across our brand portfolio. Manage key partner relationships to drive renewals, upsells, and long-term account growth. Shape and advance an enterprise partnership strategy that supports growth, visibility, and long-term brand objectives across multiple markets. Attend Marquee events and support on-site activation delivery for high-end partnerships. Own departmental budgeting and resource allocation to optimize margins and drive sustainable revenue growth. Must-Haves in a Candidate Partnership or Sponsorship Sales Expertise: Proven track record structuring, negotiating, and closing high-value partnerships in sports, media, or live events. Established Network: Existing book of business or contacts in the youth, high school, or collegiate sports space. Cross-Functional Coordination: Skilled at aligning sales, events, and creative teams around a shared calendar and set of deliverables. Financial Acumen: Experience owning a budget, allocating resources, and making tradeoffs to protect margin while growing revenue. Contract Fluency: Comfortable leading negotiation and execution of partnership agreements, ideally with input from legal or finance partners. Nice-to-Haves in a Candidate 5+ years of experience in brand partnerships, sponsorships, or business development, ideally within sports, media, or entertainment. Familiarity with the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS/Traction) framework. Understands ad infrastructure and revenue systems, including inventory and delivery, with experience in ad tech. Background in youth sports, collegiate recruiting, or media rights. Bachelor's degree. Experience with Slack and Asana systems is also a plus. Work Eligibility Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship. Only U.S. citizens will be considered for this role at this time. Benefits and Perks At Prep Network, we take pride in our culture and commitment to creating an exceptional workplace environment. Here are some of the benefits and perks you can expect when you join our team: Vibrant Culture. Prep Network has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work for five years running, thanks to our vibrant and inclusive culture. We’re passionate about bringing on board curious, self-motivated individuals who work hard and genuinely enjoy their work. Autonomy. We trust our team members to excel in their roles. Rather than micromanaging, we provide you with the tools and processes needed for success, allowing you the freedom to bring your role to life and make a meaningful impact. Professional Growth. We prioritize your professional development. We actively support and encourage you to invest in your personal and professional growth. Comprehensive Benefits. We offer comprehensive health benefits, a 401(k) with Safe Harbor matching, long-term disability, and Basic Life Insurance. Work arrangements are flexible; whether you're in our Plymouth, MN office or working remotely from your home, we trust you to do great work from wherever you do it best. Competitive Compensation. Targeted salary is $100,000 to $120,000, along with an incentive plan. The starting salary will depend on the skills and applicable experience you bring to this role. Prep Network's success is driven by its people. By hiring and supporting A-players, you will directly influence the experience of thousands of athletes and coaches we serve annually. Join our dynamic team, where we value your individuality, foster professional growth, and provide a diverse range of benefits. Discover a workplace where you can thrive, learn, and make a meaningful impact on our shared journey.