At Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Partnership (MLSE), we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that is representative of our community and where all employees feel they belong and can reach their full potential. We are Canada’s preeminent leader in delivering top quality sport and entertainment experiences and one of North America’s leading providers of exceptional fan experiences. We are the parent company of the National Hockey League’s Toronto Maple Leafs, the National Basketball Association’s Toronto Raptors, Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC, the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts and development teams with the Toronto Marlies (American Hockey League), 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.  

MLSE owns and/or operates all the venues our teams play and train in, including Scotiabank Arena, BMO Field, Coca-Cola Coliseum, Ford Performance Centre, BMO Training Ground, and OVO Athletic Centre. We also provide fans in Toronto with incredible live music and entertainment events, as well as exceptional culinary experiences through our restaurants (e11even and RS) and clubs (Hot Stove Club, ScotiaClub and Platinum Club). Through MLSE Foundation, we have invested more than $45 million into Ontario communities since 2009 and with MLSE LaunchPad, we provide a place where youth facing barriers use sport to recognize and reach their potential. 

We achieve all of this through our Common Purpose - to unite and empower our employees to create extraordinary moments for our fans and each other. Come be a part of the team.

MLSE is looking for a strategic sales manager with strong marketing acumen to join the Global Partnerships team. Reporting to the Director, Global Partnerships, this is a sales role that will focus on the development of partnerships for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Raptors, Toronto FC, and Argonauts through innovative marketing solutions.

MLSE’s Global Partnerships team are industry leaders known for producing award winning marketing programs that sets the standard of creativity and strategic delivery. The ideal candidate will be a creative, energetic, and organized thought leader with a strong foresight for business development.

You must be skilled 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:

• Use 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 corporate values. 
• Initiate discussions with potential new partners (client direct & agencies) to understand objectives and budget; able to build strong and positive relationships with senior clients up to and including C-level.
• 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.
• Continually reimagine the status quo and build breakthrough marketing partnerships for new and existing MLSE partners. 
• Develop a deep and detailed 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.
• Lead presentations to new prospects and negotiate partnerships with potential MLSE partners. 
• Manage client expectations honestly and with integrity.
• Mobilizing internal cross-functional experts, 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.
• 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.

Note: Before reviewing the qualifications listed below, we want you to know that we understand you may not meet all the qualifications described and have other relevant expertise and experience.  We invite you to please share this with us in the "Message to the Hiring Manager" section of our online application.

• Post-secondary degree or diploma, preferably in a business-related field an asset
• Proven related and meaningful experience in sales, marketing, strategy, business development and/or partnership marketing. Partnership sales experience is considered a strong asset.
• Strong presentation and storytelling skills
• Outstanding communication skills with the ability to negotiate with internal and external partners
• Self-motivated to set and chase ambitious goals, works well with minimal supervision, motivated by results
• Solid comprehension of general marketing and partnership principles and an approach client service
• A positive 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 efficiently balance multiple priorities and perform well under pressure
• 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 – this is the sports and entertainment business, after all

Apply by: May 12, 2023

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. 

At MLSE, we are committed to building an equitable, diverse and inclusive organization. We are an equal opportunity employer and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. MLSE will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in the job application process. If you have difficulty using our online application system and you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email [email protected]. Please note this email is only for accommodation requests. Resumes sent to this email address will not be considered.