Manager, Partnership Development

Powered by Passion. United by Purpose. Build for Impact. 

At Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Partnership (MLSE), we exist to deliver the ultimate fan experience by lifting trophies, spirits, and communities – united as one. 

We're more than a workplace. We are a team of passionate people, boldly building the future of sport and entertainment, together. We believe in the power of play, the strength of collaboration, and the energy that comes from showing up with purpose. 

From the ice to the pitch, the hardwood to the digital arena, we’re proud to be the driving force behind the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), the Toronto Raptors (NBA), Toronto FC (MLS), Toronto Argonauts (CFL) and development teams with the Toronto Marlies (AHL), Raptors 905 (NBA G League), Toronto FC II (MLS NEXT Pro League) and Raptors Uprising Gaming Club, the Toronto Raptors Esports franchise in the NBA 2K League.  

We bring these teams – and world-class entertainment – to life at our iconic venues, including Scotiabank Arena, BMO Field, Coca-Cola Coliseum, Ford Performance Centre, BMO Training Ground, and OVO Athletic Centre. Off the field, we serve up elevated dining at e11even, Real Sports, and our signature club spaces like Hot Stove Club, ScotiaClub, and Platinum Club. 

Through MLSE Foundation and MLSE LaunchPad, we use the power of sport to help youth facing barriers reach their full potential. Since 2009, we’ve invested more than $45 million into Ontario communities -- and we’re just getting started.  

This is what it means to be One MLSE: a culture where everyone plays a role, everyone belongs, and everyone contributes to something bigger than themselves. 

So, if you're ready to play with purpose, grow with passion, and win as one, we’d love to have you on our team. 

** We know that great candidates come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Even if you do not meet every qualification listed, we encourage you to apply. Your unique perspective, transferable skills, and lived experience may be exactly what we’re looking for. **

Job Description

MLSE is seeking a partnership sales professional to join the Global Partnerships team. MLSE’s Global Partnerships team is known for producing award-winning marketing programs that raise the bar for creativity and strategic delivery.  Reporting to the Senior Director, Global Partnerships, this revenue-generating role will focus on identifying, developing, negotiating, and closing new brand partnerships across MLSE’s portfolio, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC, and Toronto Argonauts. 
The successful candidate will combine strong business development instincts, strategic marketing thinking, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams in building creative, insight-led partnership solutions.  The ideal candidate is a seasoned professional who is exceptional at identifying and engaging contacts at brands and in categories MLSE does not currently work with, generating strong prospect volume, and creating new relationships that ultimately drive MLSE’s revenue targets. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Reimagine continually the status quo and build breakthrough marketing partnerships for new and existing MLSE partners. 

• Initiate discussions with potential new partners, including client-direct and agency contacts, to understand objectives and budgets; build trusted relationships with senior clients up to and including C-level. 

• Manage client expectations honestly and with integrity. 

• Provide thought leadership to partners during the ideation phase; develop customized, integrated, and creative partnership proposals that demonstrate insight and knowledge of the client’s business and MLSE’s unique value proposition. 

• Lead presentations to new prospects and negotiate partnerships with potential MLSE partners. 

• Mobilize internal cross-functional experts and lead working teams through the development and sales process, both within the MLSE Global Partnerships team and across the broader company. 

• Use data and research tools to identify and prioritize prospects in new categories, and demonstrate how MLSE’s values and properties align with a prospect’s target markets and corporate values. 

• Develop a deep and thorough understanding of each partner or prospect’s business and competitive environment, building partnerships that deliver against business objectives for the partner and drive affinity for MLSE’s teams in the marketplace. 

• Proactively identify and manage critical issues; demonstrate resilience and adapt to evolving plans and strategies; where conflicting partnership issues arise, work with internal teams to find solutions. 

• Stay current with all facets of the dynamic marketing mix, including digital, social media, experiential, print, and broadcast; bring creativity and innovative ideas to partnership development. 

• Achieve revenue targets and provide regular status reports. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• 7+ years of demonstrated success in a revenue-generating partnerships, sponsorship, business development, or integrated marketing role. Partnership sales experience is considered a strong asset. 

• Self-motivated to set and chase ambitious goals; works well with minimal supervision and is motivated by results. 

• Solid comprehension of general marketing and partnership principles, with a mindset for client service. 

• Professionalism, sound judgment, integrity, confidentiality and discretion. 

• Strong understanding of digital, social, content and emerging media platforms. 

• Ability to build and maintain professional relationships both internally and externally. 

• Thrives in a dynamic team environment, with the ability to productively manage multiple priorities and perform well under pressure. 

• Available to work occasionally during evenings, weekends and events as required, consistent with the sports and entertainment calendar. 

Please apply by: Monday, July 13. 

Job Posting Compensation Range/Rate:

$85,000 - 105,000

Bonus, vacation, competitive benefits, and many exciting perks are also included.