The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) is the labour union for the professional hockey players in the National Hockey League. Established in 1967, and with its headquarters in Toronto, the NHLPA’s principal role is to represent NHL players and to guarantee that their rights are upheld under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.
The NHLPA has a current permanent opportunity for a Sponsorship Manager at its downtown Toronto location.
The Sponsorship Manager will lead the day-to-day management of select NHLPA corporate partnership accounts, overseeing relationship management, player activations, and partner deliverables. Plan and execute player-focused activations, review and approve partner promotional materials, develop sponsorship sales materials, and support new business development and sales initiatives. Collaborate across the Business Group to ensure successful delivery of partnership objectives and organizational priorities. Provide regular updates to the department on outstanding deliverables, active opportunities, and emerging prospects, while identifying opportunities to strengthen existing partnerships and develop new corporate relationships.
Job Duties:
·Manage corporate partner relationships to ensure an elevated level of service, effectively represent NHLPA interests, and keep the department informed of all key partnership activities, deliverables, and opportunities.
·Manage ongoing partner communications and maintain accurate partner contact charts, meeting logs, and related account documentation.
·Lead and support the execution of commercial shoots, partner events, activations, and other partnership initiatives.
·Maintain administrative and contractual details of NHLPA corporate partnership agreements and player payment processes, ensuring all parties fulfill their respective contractual obligations and receive agreed-upon entitlements.
·Regularly update the department and relevant stakeholders on outstanding deliverables, upcoming priorities, concerns, and opportunities with corporate partners to strengthen and expand business relationships.
·Review and approve partner deliverables to ensure quality standards, NHLPA requirements, contractual obligations, and partner expectations are met accurately and on schedule.
·Provide monthly status reports outlining partner activity, deliverables, opportunities, and outstanding issues.
·Maintain partnership program tracking charts to ensure accurate and up-to-date reporting.
·Participate in partnership meetings, program update meetings, providing timely updates and follow-up on relevant action items.
·Assist in the preparation of presentations for internal and external meetings and participate in presenting partnership updates and initiatives.
·Collaborate closely with the Business Group to maintain a comprehensive understanding of requirements and opportunities related to digital engagement, player integration, public relations, and other partnership initiatives.
·Support annual events and initiatives across other NHLPA departments, including Licensing, International, and other organizational programs, as required.
·Proactively identify opportunities for partnership growth, new business development, and expanded commercial opportunities, communicating relevant prospects to appropriate NHLPA business team members.
·Monitor hockey and industry social media channels, trends, strategies, and emerging opportunities to identify relevant partnership and business development opportunities.
Qualifications & Skills Required:
·Undergraduate degree, diploma, certificate in related field of project management, marketing, sports management and/or business administration.
·5 + years of experience in a coordinator or manager role in a similar level position.
·Documented account management skills required to create, maintain, and enhance NHLPA corporate relationships.
·Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
·Strong understanding of partnership agreements and deliverables.
·Account and project management experience.
·Proven contributions to sponsorship strategy and development of new initiatives.
·Proactive idea generation for both internal and external stakeholders.
·Genuine passion and energy for marketing.
·Highly organized and resourceful.
·Promote, and thrive in, and a collaborative environment.
·Professional attitude, appearance, demeanor.
·Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
·Ability to work independently and carry out responsibilities with minimal direction.
·Strong understanding of NHL players, the NHL, its teams, and hockey in general is an asset.
·Ability to work under pressure, in the public eye, with professional athletes.
·Flexible to work occasional nights and weekends, as well as travel.
Salary Range: CA$75,000-95,000 (based on experience)
All interested applicants can submit their resumes to careers@nhlpa.com.
No agencies please.
NHLPA is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment process.
