Director, Sponsorship Activations

Position: Director, Sponsorship Activations Location: Dallas, TX Job Id: 356 # of Openings: 1

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Sponsorship Activations oversees high-value partner relationships, drives incremental revenue through renewals and upsells, and ensures best-in-class delivery of all contractual assets while staying true to the Dallas Mavericks brand and core values. This position serves as a senior activation leader and cross-functional connector, managing people, processes, inventory, and performance measurement across the full partnership lifecycle. The Director collaborates with clients and internal stakeholders to drive satisfaction, renewals, and long-term relationship growth.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead the strategy and execution of corporate partnership activations across all platforms including arena, digital, social, community, content, hospitality, and experiential assets Develop a deep understanding of partner business goals and proactively deliver activation strategies that drive value, performance, and renewal Serve as senior point of contact for assigned key partners, ensuring flawless execution, exceptional service, and high retention rates Oversee fulfillment of all contractual assets, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with NBA guidelines and arena restrictions Work Dallas Mavericks home games and special events, including nights, weekends, and holidays, to execute and monitor partner activations Account Renewal, Growth & Inventory Optimization Lead renewal strategy for assigned corporate partners by aligning performance with partner objectives and KPIs Identify upsell opportunities that strengthen existing partnerships and support long-term renewals Partner with Business Solutions, Marketing and Analytics to support renewal discussions, asset optimization, and deal structuring Utilize research, fan data, and performance insights to refine activations, reposition assets, and demonstrate proof of performance Partner Relationship Management & Reporting Build and sustain trusted relationships with partners and agency partners through consistent communication and executive-level service Lead partner planning meetings, mid-season check-ins, activation reviews, and renewal-focused strategy sessions Deliver comprehensive recaps, performance reporting, and ROI storytelling, including proof-of-performance and renewal support materials Plan and execute partner events, promotions, sweepstakes, VIP experiences, and hospitality programs Leadership & Team Development Directly manage, coach, and develop the Partnership Marketing team through regular one-on-ones, performance feedback, training, and development planning Serve as a real-time resource to troubleshoot challenges, support execution, and elevate team performance Oversee onboarding and training of new activation staff, establishing standardized processes and best practices Delegate accounts and responsibilities to ensure best-in-class service and professional growth opportunities for team members Activation Operations & Cross-Functional Collaboration Centralize and manage the activation calendar, ensuring all deliverables are tracked, communicated, and executed efficiently Lead cross-departmental collaboration with Ticketing, Game Operations, Marketing, Digital, Social, Community, Broadcast, Legal, Finance, and Analytics teams Ensure activation processes, approvals, and contractual obligations are followed consistently and accurately Partner with Business Analytics to support performance reporting, brand exposure valuation, and fan insights Maintain accountability for CRM and inventory management systems Review deal sheets for structural accuracy, asset availability, and execution feasibility prior to finalization Integrate into the sales process as an activation voice, supporting renewal and upsell conversations when needed Support departmental revenue reporting and league submissions

REQUIRED SKILLS & ABILITIES

Proven leadership and people management experience with the ability to coach, motivate, and develop talent Strong relationship management skills with a retention-first mindset Exceptional organizational skills with strong attention to detail and follow-through Strategic, solutions-oriented thinker with the ability to manage complex partnerships Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills with executive-level presence Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment High sense of ownership, accountability, and urgency

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s Degree required (Marketing, Sport Marketing, Advertising, Communications, or related field preferred) Minimum 5–8 years of professional sports partnership activation and/or account management experience Minimum 2 years of sales experience Minimum 1.5–2 years of people management experience Experience in arenas, stadiums, or high-volume live events preferred Proven experience managing senior-level partner and agency relationships

TECHNOLOGY & PLATFORM EXPERIENCE

CRM and inventory management systems (KORE, Salesforce) Microsoft Office Suite Project management platforms (Asana or similar) Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator preferred) Analytics platforms such as Nielsen Scarborough or custom fan data tools

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to work Dallas Mavericks home games and events, including nights, weekends, and holidays Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during eventsAbility to lift up to 25–50 lbs. as needed The Dallas Mavericks provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. #J-18808-Ljbffr Mavs Foundation