Account 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 looking for a strategic thinker with a revenue-driving mentality to join the Global Partnerships team. Reporting to the Director, Global Partnerships, this role will focus on building and developing partnerships for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Raptors, Toronto FC, and Argonauts. MLSE’s Global Partnerships team are industry leaders known for producing award winning marketing programs that raise the bar of creativity and strategic delivery. 

The ideal candidate will be a creative, energetic and organized teammate with a strong aptitude for big ideas and business development. You must be skilled at identifying brands and in categories MLSE does not currently work with, generating prospect volume, and creating new relationships that ultimately drive MLSE’s revenue targets. 

If you are truly interested in creating impact through marketing in sports – we want to hear from you. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Continually reinvent the status quo and build breakthrough marketing partnerships for new and existing MLSE partners. 

• Proactively develop new partnership revenue opportunities through prospecting, existing personal network, marketplace analysis or other means to identify prospective partnership candidates. 

• Initiate discussions with potential new partners (client direct & agencies) to understand objectives and budget; able to build strong and trusted relationships with senior clients up to and including C-level. 

• Lead client expectations honestly and with integrity. 

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

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

• Mobilizing internal cross-functional professionals, leading an internal working team through the development and sales process, both within the MLSE Global Partnerships team and more broadly across the company, creating advocates for new partnerships and unlocking new opportunities. 

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

• Develop a deep and thorough understanding of the 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 issues on partnerships arise, able to find solutions along with the internal team. 

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

• Achieve revenue targets and provides regular status reports. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Post-secondary degree or diploma preferred, preferably in a business-related subject area 

• 3-5 years of related and meaningful experience in business development, marketing, strategy, and/or partnership marketing. Partnership sales experience is considered a strong asset. 

• Self-motivated to set and chase ambitious goals, works well with minimal direction, motivated by results 

• Solid comprehension of general marketing and partnership principles and an attitude for client service 

• A positive, winning approach, incorporating integrity, confidentiality and discretion 

• Deep understanding of new media and a desire to stay current on emerging digital platforms 

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

• Thrives in a dynamic team environment, with ability to productively handle multiple priorities 

• Shown to perform well under pressure; handle multiple priorities at the same time 

• Ability to build and develop professional relationships both inside and outside of the organization with ease 

• Available to work evenings and weekends as required/when applicable due to the nature of our events and industry

Job Posting Compensation Range/Rate:

$70,000 - 85,000 annual base

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