Senior Director of Business Development

The Seneca Nation, through its business subsidiary, Seneca Holdings, is now the proud owner of the Rochester Knighthawks, ensuring the franchise’s future in a city where the roots of lacrosse run deep.  

At Seneca Holdings, we believe that a great workplace starts with a strong sense of purpose and community. As a company wholly owned by the Seneca Nation, a federally recognized American Indian Tribe, our culture is built on the values of quality, integrity, teamwork, professionalism, and connection.  Every business we build plays a role in ensuring long-term economic self-sufficiency for members of the Seneca Nation. What sets us apart is we’re guided by the Seneca Nation’s Seventh Generation Principle, based on the philosophy that all decisions should be made with purpose, ensuring a positive impact on the future seven generations.

The Rochester Knighthawks are seeking a Senior Director of Business Development in Rochester, NY.

The Senior Director of Business Development will be responsible for leading and overseeing the Rochester Knighthawks business development department.  The Senior Director will be responsible for driving revenue growth and establishing mutually beneficial partnerships for the organization. This position will be responsible for generating and developing new as well as existing corporate partnership opportunities and revenue for the Rochester Knighthawks. In addition to negotiating and re-negotiating specific benefits to be included in and the investment of the sponsorship, suite, and ticket packages. This role will oversee the department’s activation strategy and efforts to ensure the understanding and execution of each corporate partnership agreement. This position will work cohesively with other departments of the organization to develop and execute corporate partnership campaigns and activations that generate meaningful corporate relationships and revenue for the organization.  This role requires a strategic individual who can collaborate and lead across departments, while building meaningful relationships with brands and organizations in the community. This position reports to the President & General Manager.

Duties & Responsibilities 

• Direct and manage all aspects of the business development department
• Work with leadership on short and long-term development efforts and optimization of corporate revenue and staffing for business development department
• Tactical planning for growth of the business development department and staff through continued development, coaching, and training
• Continuously review business processes and make improvements to workflows and operations of business development department as needed
• Research and identify corporate partnership prospects locally, regionally, and nationally within key open and emerging categories
• Lead and direct ongoing corporate partnership presentations with internal and external partners; develop meaningful and positive relationships with corporate partners to execute against short and long-term strategic business development plans
• Prospect, conduct sponsorship presentations / meetings, and close corporate partnerships in support of individual and department revenue / sales goals for organization
• Strategic planning to enhance and renew corporate partnerships for organization
• Oversee the development and implementation of marketing strategies for new business, renewals and growing existing corporate partnerships
• Build strong, meaningful relationships with existing partners by delivering a high-level of customer service
• Manage and oversee all corporate partnerships, renewals, and the retention effort, including proposals, planning, execution, customer service strategy, entertainment plans and proof of performance for the department
• Oversee servicing team and all partnership fulfillment and execution of all corporate partnership agreements
• Work collaboratively with other departments to improve performance, communication, corporate partner offerings and shared capabilities
• Collaborate with departments to develop and create new inventory to support new revenue streams for the organization
• Maintain weekly internal and league reports including prospect tracking, account / revenue / financial status, and relevant partner interaction
• Manage, plan, and direct budget and forecast for business development department
• Strong focus on relationship sales, development, customer retention and satisfaction
• Other duties as assigned by President & General Manager as determined by business needs

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required with preferred areas of study including sales, marketing, business, or sports management
• 5-7 years’ experience in business development / corporate sponsorship sales, marketing, media, or advertising
• 3+ years’ experience leading, coaching and developing a team
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office required
• Knowledge of KORE / Microsoft Dynamics CRM is a preferred
• Knowledge of corporate sales prospecting platforms is a plus
• Ability to demonstrate consistent history of generating corporate partnership / sponsorship revenue
• Experience developing and selling fully integrated corporate partnership / sponsorship packages utilizing a variety of assets including (i.e., in-venue, digital media, broadcast media, social media assets, etc.)
• Experience developing impactful sales presentations, promotional campaigns, proposals and handling associated contract negotiations
• Effective and strong writing, verbal / communication, and presentation skills
• Ability to thrive in highly visible, high-pressure environment
• Strong attention to detail, grammar, and proofreading skills
• Must be dependable, willing to take initiative and adapt to a variety of situations
• Possess strong time management, organizational, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills
• Ability to work independently and in a group setting
• Track record of developing talent and building strong team culture across all levels of the organization
• Ability to work non-traditional hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed

Benefits and Compensation:

Our team of talented individuals is what makes us successful. To support our team, we provide a balanced mix of benefits and programs. Your total rewards package includes competitive pay, benefits, and perks, flexible work-life balance, professional development opportunities, and performance and recognition programs. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability, voluntary benefit programs (critical illness, hospital, and accident), health savings and flexible spending accounts, and retirement 401K plan. One of our fundamental principles is to offer competitive health and welfare benefits to our team members, providing coverage and care for you and your family. Full-time employees working at least 30 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in our benefits and paid leave programs.  We pride ourselves on our collaborative work environment and culture, which embraces our mission of providing financial and non-financial benefits back to the members of the Seneca Nation.