Manager, Partnership Strategy & Innovation

If you are interested in sports jobs with the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, you’re in the right place!

Reports to: Director of Partnership Strategy and Innovation

Direct Reports: Coordinator of Partnerships and Innovation

FLSA Status: Full-Time Salaried Non-Exempt

Application Deadline: Rolling Application

Work Location: Metairie, LA

Our Mission and Your Impact

The New Orleans Saints and Pelicans proudly represent both the NFL and NBA, using our platform to uplift the Gulf Coast and create lasting community impact. Rooted in the vibrant spirit of New Orleans, we celebrate diversity, embrace culture, and unite people through the power of sports. Guided by our core values—community, teamwork, celebrating individuality, people first, integrity, and excellence—we foster an inclusive culture and seek people who share these values to help strengthen the bond between our teams and the city we call home.

Position summary

The Manager of Partnership Strategy and Innovation works closely with the Director of Partnership Strategy and Innovation to develop partnership platforms, category narratives, and go-to-market plans that support new business, retention, and incremental revenue across the Saints, Pelicans, and Laketown Squadron.

Within the strategic direction established by the Director, this individual contributes original ideas, applies research and commercial judgment, and manages approved initiatives from concept through launch. The Manager develops and coaches the Coordinator of Partnership Strategy and Innovation, setting priorities for the internal processes, information resources, and workflows that support effective delivery.

What you will be doing:

Partnership platforms and category strategy

• Build a strong knowledge of organizational priorities and capabilities across Marketing, Digital, Content, Community, Premium, Venue Operations, and other business units; translate those priorities into partnership platform concepts and category recommendations aligned with the Director’s strategic direction.
• Conduct whitespace analysis and evaluate sponsorship trends, emerging categories, audience behaviors, and new technologies. Assess opportunities using market potential, brand investment signals, existing relationships, rights availability, and exclusivity constraints to inform the Director’s prioritization decisions.
• Originate and test innovative approaches to packaging, storytelling, prospect engagement, cross-property selling, and partner value creation; define the business case, implementation needs, and success criteria.
• Manage cross-functional development and approval processes for agreed initiatives, resolve routine roadblocks, and present options and recommendations for decisions. Maintain working knowledge of applicable NFL, NBA, and G League partnership policies and involve Legal in rights and category questions.

Go to market planning and commercial development

• Develop sponsorable platforms that connect audience intelligence, category research, brand objectives, and organizational assets. Define partner benefits, asset mixes, property roles, delivery requirements, cost assumptions, and pricing recommendations; secure internal alignment before market launch.
• Develop actionable GTM plans covering target brands, buyer profiles, platform positioning, category narratives, seller guidance, launch timing, and evaluation of market response. Establish reusable strategic frameworks that Sales can adapt to individual opportunities.

Category narratives and sales enablement

• Develop category narrative frameworks, strategic briefs, and evidence-backed value propositions aligned with approved direction. Sales owns individual pitch preparation and customization, using these resources with Creative support.
• Advise Sales on applying category narratives and insights; contribute strategy expertise in selected pitches and use feedback to refine platforms and GTM approaches.

Retention and partnership insights

• Develop an ongoing partnership measurement approach with account leads and BI, linking partner objectives to KPIs, evidence sources, review milestones, and optimization recommendations.
• Interpret partner results, audience research, media measurement, and industry benchmarks to recommend asset changes, renewal positioning, upsell opportunities, and new platforms.
• Oversee the business use of approved measurement vendors and tools, with the Coordinator supporting daily workflows; present insights in selected partner meetings alongside account leads.
• Use commercial performance, inventory, pipeline, and retention trends to inform recommendations; apply agreed standards for shared insights, approved sources, definitions, and refresh schedules.

CRM improvement and BI collaboration

• Manage agreed-upon CRM improvements with BI, translating departmental needs into requirements, testing, and adoption. Diagnose workflow and data issues, recommend fixes, and manage delivery against approved priorities.
• Document field definitions, required inputs, reporting standards, and record ownership with BI and department users for Director review. Coach the Coordinator on approved data quality controls; BI owns technical configuration and integrations, and Finance governs financial records.

What you’ll bring:

• Five or more years of relevant experience in sponsorship strategy, partnership marketing, integrated marketing, commercial planning, or agency strategy, including independent ownership of complex initiatives.
• Demonstrated success originating platforms, shaping category or GTM strategies, and turning recommendations into implemented work. Ability to explain your contribution and commercial outcomes.
• Strong analytical, creative, writing, and presentation skills; experience translating audience research, media measurement, and brand objectives into persuasive commercial recommendations.
• Required CRM experience, including workflow improvement, data quality, reporting requirements, and partnership with technical teams. EngageRM or comparable experience is welcome. Commercial fluency in packaging, pricing, and delivery economics; strong spreadsheet and research skills.
• Ability to influence cross-functional leaders, challenge constructively, make sound decisions, and coach a junior colleague. Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.

What We Offer:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance options
• 401K with employer contributions
• Paid parental leave
• PTO and paid holidays
• Wellness Program

Applications must be submitted online. Please do not mail or email resumes to the Saints/Pelicans. All qualified candidates will be contacted by phone and/or by email. Please do not contact the Saints/Pelicans Human Resources or Hiring Manager to check the status of your application. When applying, please be sure your updated contact information is provided.

The New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans ("Teams") are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for candidates and employees regardless of their membership in any protected classifications. The Teams will not discriminate in violation of the law on the basis of race, color, age, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, and pregnancy), religion, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, familial status, status as a victim of domestic violence, and/or any other legally protected class under applicable federal, state, or local laws. This anti-discrimination policy applies with respect to all employment decisions, including but not limited to hiring, promotion, discipline, and discharge. The Teams are committed to equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in compliance with the Americans Disabilities Act and state law.  If you feel you need an accommodation for a disability, please inform us.  Requests for accommodation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  If you request an accommodation, it is essential that you participate fully in the interactive process.