Co-Executive Director, Strategic Partnerships - Cincinnati

Overview

The Association of Pickleball Players | The APP Tour (APP) is dedicated to providing the best pickleball tournament experience for all. The APP, owned by Intersport, was founded in 2019 and serves professionals, senior professionals, and amateurs in the fastest-growing sport in the country. The first and only tour officially sanctioned by USA Pickleball, the 2025 APP Tour slate boasts 12 tournament stops, in addition to Showcase Series, International, and Collegiate Series events. The APP also prides itself on developing the next generation of champions through its APP Next Series and other youth initiatives. You can view the 2025 Tour schedule here: and 2026 Tour schedule here:

Location: work-from-home/must be located in the Cincinnati market • Type: Full-time, permanent position • Division: Strategic Partnerships • Reports to: Chief Revenue Officer

The Position

The APP is seeking to add a smart and driven Co-Executive Director (C-ED) to its Strategic Partnerships team. The C-ED will be responsible for generating revenue for the APP and, along with the existing C-ED, will be a leader of the APP’s presence in Cincinnati. The right candidate will have proven success in a combination of sales across sponsorship, hospitality, naming rights, ticket, and Pro-Am. Additionally, the C-ED must have relationships with key clients regionally and locally in the Cincinnati DMA, have the ability to create new relationships among buyers, and a strong client-direct/agency network in the Cincinnati marketplace. A candidate must possess a consultative selling approach and be able to detail success in having sold six- and seven-figure sponsorship agreements.

Responsibilities

• General
  • Embody and reflects the APP’s performance-based culture and commits him/herself and team to the highest standards for all work
  • Work effectively with cross-functional teams to deliver executional excellence
• Business Development
  • Prospect, pitch, and close six- and seven-figure sponsorship and media agreements with clients and agencies locally, regionally and nationally
• Team Management
  • Apply a genuine eagerness to mentor, grow, and learn from a diverse and talented team
  • Play a lead role to hire, and ultimately train select team members with responsibility for goal setting, feedback, and constructive guidance
  • Potential team will consist of:
    • Existing Co-Executive Director, Strategic Partnerships (C-ED)
    • Manager, Strategic Partnerships (sponsorship and hospitality sales)
    • Coordinator, Partnership Marketing (sponsor management/servicing)

Qualifications

• Minimum of ten (10) years’ full-time experience in sponsorship, hospitality, and/or media sales
• Strong understanding of the sales process with a passion for pitching and closing new business
• Ability to detail a history of having sold numerous six- and seven-figure sponsorship, hospitality, and/or media sales agreements
• Ability to develop new relationships with sponsorship and/or media buyers
• Must have a strong client-direct/agency network of sponsorship marketing decision-makers in the Cincinnati marketplace
• Experience managing, training, and mentoring junior-level staff
• Exemplary verbal and written communication skills with high-level presentation ability
• Flexibility to work both independently and collaboratively in an entrepreneurial environment
• Proficiency in PowerPoint, Word, Excel

Salary and Benefits

The targeted salary range for this position is $125,000 to $175,000 and includes sales target bonuses.

This position includes medical, dental, vision, parental leave benefits and 401(k) with company match for qualified employees.

Equal Opportunity

The APP is an Equal Opportunity Employer