Partnership Director

About the role

The Partnerships Director leads the partnership sales function for a portfolio of brand and property clients within the underdog venture team (UVT), with full ownership of strategy, pipeline, and revenue results. This is a senior dealmaking seat: part strategist, part closer, part team leader.

This role is based in New York (Remote/Hybrid) and reports to the VP, Partnerships.

About Underdog & Company. underdog & company (UDCO) is a network of sports marketing and experiential agencies, including BeCore, Altius Sports Partners, B. Partners, 40 Love Agency, Wide Angle Group, and the underdog venture team. Together we help brands, leagues, teams, and athletes build partnerships that move culture and business.

What you'll do

Partnership sales strategy

• Set and execute partnership sales strategy and direct revenue generation across a portfolio of clients, aligned to each client’s revenue goals.

• Serve as a senior point of contact and trusted advisor to client leadership, delivering recommendations on inventory, pricing, and packaging.

• Identify new client opportunities and contribute to new business pitches.

Dealmaking

• Own the full partnership sales cycle, from prospecting to proposal creation to contract execution, for the most strategic and highest-value opportunities.

• Lead negotiations of partnership terms, sponsorship packages, and revenue agreements independently.

• Develop and maintain senior-level relationships with brands, agencies, and rights holders across sports, media, and entertainment.

Team and business leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop Partnership Managers and Coordinators, setting goals and reviewing pipeline and performance.

• Own pipeline forecasting and revenue reporting for leadership and clients.

• Collaborate with sister agencies across UDCO to facilitate company-wide growth.

• Represent underdog & company at industry conferences, panels, and networking events.

What you bring

Required

• 7–10 years of experience in partnership sales, business development, or strategic partnerships, including experience leading a team. Ideal candidate with have sports/entertainment experience in a property or agency setting.

• Proven track record of closing large, complex partnership or sponsorship deals and consistently meeting revenue targets.

• Proficiency in proposal building, deck creation, and strategic storytelling.

• Established network of brand, agency, and property decision-makers.

• Expert negotiation and relationship-building skills, with comfort engaging C-level stakeholders.

• Experience managing a portfolio of clients and advising them on partnership strategy.

• Strong business acumen, including inventory valuation and pricing.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Preferred

• Experience with CRM platforms (HubSpot, Salesforce, etc.) and pipeline forecasting.

How success is measured

• Partnership revenue closed against client and team targets.

• Pipeline health and forecast accuracy.

• Client retention and satisfaction across your portfolio.

• Development and performance of the team you manage.

What we offer

Health, dental, vision, 401(k), unlimited PTO

Equal opportunity

underdog & company is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Salary Range: $85,000 - $100,000