VP, Corporate Partnerships - St. Louis Cardinals

The Vice President of Corporate Partnerships will be responsible for driving the strategic direction and growth of the Cardinals' partnership marketing program and revenue. This role will focus on securing new partnerships, renewing and growing existing relationships, and collaborating across departments to deliver best-in-class marketing partnerships that benefit both the team and its partners. The VP will build out and lead a dynamic team, ensuring that partnerships enhance the Cardinals brand while meeting and exceeding revenue goals.

Strategy & Business Development:

• Lead the development and execution of a multi-year partnership strategy, driving significant revenue growth through new partnerships and renewal efforts.
• Implement a robust sales process through a combination of market/category research and relationship development and develop a pipeline of prospective partners across various industries.
• Develop compelling storylines and pitch materials driven by market research, third party data, and partnership case studies, with a clear understanding of the partner's brand marketing goals.
• Consistently meet or exceed annual revenue targets

Partnership Activation:

• Develop innovative and relevant partnership platforms across in-stadium branding, promotions, and activation, media (radio, linear/streaming, print, digital), Ballpark Village partnerships, fantasy camps, amateur baseball, and community engagement that align with the partner's goals and the Cardinals brand
• Design and implement a comprehensive annual engagement and reporting framework that optimizes touchpoints throughout our partner organizations and effectively articulates value delivered through the partnership

Client Relationship Management:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior decision-makers at partner companies to deliver unique integrated marketing solutions that drive business for both parties.

Organizational Leadership:

• Oversee the department including corporate partnerships team, radio broadcast operations, and alumni relations
• Recruit, hire, and lead a high-performing team of sales, strategy, and activation professionals.
• Foster a collaborative culture that prioritizes innovation, empowerment, and results.
• Work closely with senior leadership to provide revenue updates and adjust strategies based on KPIs and revenue goals.
• Partner with legal and finance teams to manage all partnership agreements.
• Serve as a key representative of the St. Louis Cardinals at league and industry meetings, positioning the organization as a premier partner for corporate sponsors.

Qualifications:

• Experience: 10+ years of experience in corporate partnerships, sponsorship sales, or business development, preferably within sports or entertainment.
• Leadership: 8+ years of experience managing teams, with a proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop talent.
• Track Record: Demonstrated success in negotiating and closing multi-year, high-value partnership deals and maintaining strong client relationships.
• Skills: Strong communication, presentation, and negotiation skills. Ability to think strategically and execute effectively across multiple platforms.
• Market Knowledge: Familiarity with the sports sponsorship landscape, particularly in the Midwest, is preferred. Experience working with regional, national, and international brands is a plus.
• Flexibility: Ability to work non-traditional hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as required by the Baseball schedule.