Position: Director, Partnership Solutions – Full Time/Exempt
Department: Corporate Partnerships – Partnership Solutions
Reports to: Vice President, Partnership Solutions
Location: Arizona Cardinals (Tempe, AZ) NOTE: Starting 2028, this role will be based at the new Arizona Cardinals Training Facility in north Phoenix, AZ (https://www.azcardinals.com/news/new-arizona-cardinals-practice-facility-on-target-for-opening-in-2028).
Format: In-person
Note: Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of a student or employment Visas (including, but not limited to F-1, M-1, J-1, H-1B, OPT and/or CPT programs, etc.).
Cardinals Organizational Summary:
The Arizona Cardinals Football Club is a professional football team within the National Football League (NFL). We compete in the National Football Conference (NFC) West division and call State Farm Stadium, in Glendale, Arizona, our home.
As one of the oldest pro football franchises in the U.S., the Club has established itself as a sport and cultural hallmark within Arizona, as well as a trailblazer for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives and firsts around the League. Our vision is to build a leading sports organization that competes for championships, drives business results, creates loyal fans, develops proud employees, and inspires hope in our community. We are relentless in our pursuit of greatness on and off the field, while positively impacting our people, our fans, and our community.
If you want to join an organization that values putting the team first, doing what is right, growing with positivity, valuing every voice, while driving performance, we would love for you to join our team. Learn more about the Arizona Cardinals and see what’s happening here (https://www.azcardinals.com/community/).
Summary:
The Director, Partnership Solutions serves as a senior strategic leader within the Corporate Partnerships department, responsible for driving revenue growth, shaping partnership strategy, and delivering innovative, data-driven solutions that maximize value for the Arizona Cardinals and its corporate partners. This role leads to the development and execution of integrated partnership strategies across the organization, working collaboratively with executive leadership, Partnership Marketing, Sales, Content, Community Relations, and other key business units to align partner objectives with Club priorities and long-term business goals.
The Director will oversee the Partnership Solutions function and directly manage a high-performing team, while fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and professional development. This role is responsible for leading strategic initiatives related to partnership storytelling, inventory optimization, valuation and packaging strategy, market and industry analysis, CRM oversight, and the creation of impactful sales and renewal materials that support both revenue generation and partner retention efforts.
Additionally, this position will play a key leadership role in identifying new business opportunities, developing processes efficiencies, and elevating the overall sophistication of the Club’s partnership strategy through insights, analytics, and creative solution development. The Director, Partnership Solutions will serve as a trusted internal partner and thought leader to the Partnerships Leadership team.
Primary Job Duties:
The Director, Partnership Solutions role will have daily responsibilities including, without limitation, to include the following:
Leadership, Strategy & Team Development:
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing Partnership Solutions team, establishing clear priorities, accountability, and opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
- Oversee department workflows, strategic planning initiatives, and resource allocation to ensure alignment with Corporate Partnership revenue goals and organizational priorities.
- Serve as a key strategic partner to Corporate Partnership leadership, contributing to long-term planning, revenue strategy, operational efficiencies, and department-wide initiatives.
- Foster a collaborative and innovative team culture focused on creativity, excellence, and continuous improvement.
Partnership Strategy & Creative Leadership:
- Serve as the strategic and creative lead for the Corporate Partnerships department, driving the development of innovative, insight-led partnership platforms and integrated marketing programs.
- Lead cross-functional ideation sessions and strategic planning efforts that support new business pitches, partner renewals, and revenue-generating initiatives.
- Develop breakthrough partnership concepts and scalable activation platforms that align with partner objectives, strengthen brand alignment, and maximize organizational revenue opportunities.
- Oversee the development of all partnership storytelling and sales enablement materials, including pitch decks, one-sheets, valuation narratives, case studies, and sizzle videos, ensuring a high level of creativity, strategy, and brand consistency.
- Provide leadership and strategic direction to creative resources to ensure all partner-facing content reflects organizational standards and delivers compelling, market-leading presentations.
- Manage and prioritize the department’s strategic and creative pipeline, ensuring efficient execution, resource optimization, and alignment with business priorities and timelines.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Operational Oversight:
- Partner with leadership and stakeholders across Marketing, Digital, Social, Game Presentation, Community Relations, Events, Operations, and other departments to develop integrated partner solutions and ensure alignment with Club initiatives and priorities.
- Support the Partnership Marketing team through the development of strategic renewal materials, upsell opportunities, valuation frameworks, and data-driven recommendations that enhance partner retention and growth.
- Participate in and help lead meetings with current and prospective corporate partners, presenting strategic concepts, partnership platforms, and innovative ideas that support relationship development and revenue objectives.
- Oversee Corporate Partnership inventory strategy and management processes, ensuring accurate tracking, optimization, and alignment with organizational and revenue priorities.
- Lead departmental reporting and analytical processes, including inventory analysis, valuation tracking, market research, and league reporting requirements, ensuring timely and accurate deliverables.
- Identify and implement process improvements, operational efficiencies, and scalable workflows that enhance collaboration, communication, and overall departmental effectiveness.
- Support additional strategic initiatives and organizational priorities as assigned by Partnerships Leadership.
Qualifications/Requirements:
- Education: Bachelor's degree preferably Marketing or Sports Management, or equivalent experience
- Experience: At least seven (7) years of full-time professional experience
- Experience with CRM (Salesforce/KORE) and data visualization (Power BI) preferred.
- Ability to meet deadlines, handle and prioritize simultaneous requests, manage laterally and upwards, all with a professional and courteous attitude.
- Ability to work collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders, consultants, and vendors.
- Excellent business communication skills.
- Outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong work ethic and drive to improve.
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays; hours may vary depending on business needs.
- Must complete all pre-employment forms and successfully pass a background check.
Cardinals Benefits/Perks Summary:
The Arizona Cardinals Football Club has developed a comprehensive benefits package that provides economic and inclusive benefits to full-time employees. The Cardinals benefits offer care, protection, and support for employees and their loved ones. The Cardinals organization encourages an environment that is conducive to living a healthy, productive, and flexible lifestyle.
Benefits and Perks include, but are not limited to:
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance options; effective the first day of hire
- 401 (k) retirement option with employer match contribution
- Paid Time Off Accruals (including sick time accruals)
- Paid Time Off for most Federal holidays
- Time off for Maternity, Paternity, Military, and Bereavement
- MDLIVE: 24/7 medical support
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) & Health Care Saving Account options
- Discounts on Cardinals gear & paraphernalia
- Tuition reimbursement & Professional Growth opportunities
- Daily free lunch
- Complimentary season tickets
- Subsidized gym memberships
The Arizona Cardinals Football Club is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.
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Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
