Job Description

About NYRR

New York Road Runners (NYRR) was founded in 1958 when a small group of passionate runners vowed to bring running to the people and has grown from a local running club into the world’s premier community running organization. NYRR’s vision is to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running.

NYRR’s year-round offerings of races, community events, programs, and training resources provide hundreds of thousands of people with the motivation, know-how, and opportunities to start running and keep running for life. NYRR’s premier event, the famed TCS New York City Marathon, attracts the world’s top professional runners and committed amateurs alike, while also raising millions of dollars annually for charity and driving economic impact for New York City.NYRR is equally committed to the runners of tomorrow, passionately providing youth fitness programs that educate and inspire children in underserved communities in New York City, nationwide, and around the world.

Headquartered in New York City, NYRR is a 501(c)(3) organization.To learn more, please visit www.nyrr.org.

At New York Road Runners, we are committed to building an inclusive, diverse workplace by finding the best candidate for the job. We understand that skills come from a variety of different backgrounds. Checking off every single requirement on our job description is not necessary to apply. If you think you are a good fit and have a passion for the work we do, please submit your application. We are eager to learn about your experience and skills! You may be the right candidate for this or other open positions.

New York Road Runners is an Equal Opportunity Employer

About the Department

The Strategic Partnerships & Runner Products Department includes the Business Development and Strategic Partnerships team, the Runner Products and Services team, and the Professional Athlete Group.

The Business Development and Strategic Partnerships team secures and manages mission-aligned partnerships providing revenue, value-in-kind and strategic support for advancing NYRR's mission. The team collaborates across NYRR departments to maximize partnership value and runner engagement through strategic programming. Additionally, the department oversees licensing of NYRR IP rights, including production of co-branded product and apparel.

The Runner Products and Services team enhances the training, racing, and community experience through in-person runner training, tailored customer service, and community engagement at the NYRR RUNCENTER. NYRR’s Official Charity Partner Program includes more than 600 official charity partners raising over $80 million annually, while the International Tour Operator (ITO) Program spans 100+ countries and brings more than 13,000 international runners to the TCS New York City Marathon each year.

The Professional Athlete Group develops and manages programs for professional and sub-elite runners, including wheelchair athletes, working closely with athletes, agents, coaches, and federations, and leading recruitment strategies for elite participation in NYRR events.

About the Position

The Director of Strategic Partnerships reports into the Head of Strategic Partnerships.   This is a highly visible leadership position within the organization which requires multi-tasking, good and decisive judgment, patience, a high level of professionalism and collaboration. Key responsibilities are built upon the intersection of client strategy, NYRR brand strategy and top-notch client service in a high-paced, fluid environment.   The Director of Strategic Partnerships will play an essential role leading a partner portfolio, and serve as a thought leader, driving innovative, integrated, ideas to solve our partner’s business challenges.   

The Director of Strategic Partnerships is responsible for all areas of sponsorship delivery and overall relationship health. Candidates must be prepared for a fast-paced environment and be comfortable making decisions.   This person must be team-oriented and possess excellent problem solving, interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.   A key function of the role is leading internal and external cross-functional teams to deliver work that meets partner objectives and goals, including effectively managing a team of direct reports and delegating responsibilities with a growth mindset.  

The Directors work together to foster a culture of growth and development with the team. They regularly demonstrate initiative in all areas of improving the management and growth of all partnerships, demonstrating a sense of ownership and the ability to manage independently.    

Job Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the day-to-day management and long-term strategic development of assigned accounts and projects, adding value and ensuring the partner is getting best results from the sponsorship  
• Build trusted partner relationships and articulate organizational point of view  
• Serve as the “thought leader” between NYRR partners and NYRR’s internal teams, and lead cross-functional planning to achieve partner goals  
• Prioritize and goal-set effectively  
• Collaborate to offer innovative solutions to challenges and drive alignment   
• Plan and conduct high-level meetings effectively showcasing presentation skills  
• Create strategic documents leveraging insights and innovative approach to growth  
• Manage financial aspects of partner relationships, including assisting Department Head with budgeting process, tracking sponsorship payments and conducting financial analysis of current corporate and community partnerships  
• Liaise with VP of Business Development on partner deals and renewal agreements  
• Attend partner events and sponsored races, oversee execution and represent NYRR with partners  
• Effectively multi-task and handle wide-variety of responsibilities, both client-facing and administrative  
• Proactively lead departmental and organizational initiatives that align with NYRR growth plan  
• Represent organization at external events  
• Additional duties as assigned   

Supervisory Responsibilities  

• Mentor, motivate and develop team members through coaching, training and identifying areas for growth  
• Effectively manage employee performance through communication of expectations and standards  
• Prepare goals and performance appraisals. Work with next level management (heads of or senior leader as applicable) when employee performance does not meet standards  
• Encourage an environment of transparency, support, creativity, development, and growth  
• Showcase effective listening for impact  
• Delegate and distribute tasks and responsibilities appropriately  
• Ensure employees and staff adhere to company policies and procedures  
• Serve as a role model within the department and organization, providing leadership and creative problem solving  

Job Requirements:

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of account management, or sponsorship experience, which may include agency (integrated marketing) or brand-side marketing experience
• This role is ideal for an experienced senior manager who can expertly manage a robust portfolio of brands  
• Experience successfully managing and developing multiple direct reports  
• Experience executing special/live events   
• Proven experience negotiating contract agreement   
• Sales and sponsorship valuation experience preferred  
• Previous exposure to quantitative and qualitative research - not in leading, but knows what they are, and how they work  
• CRM experience is beneficial  

Education & Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field preferred

Skills and Attributes:

• Demonstrated track record of success in providing strategic thinking to clients, including identifying, analyzing, problem-solving, and responding to opportunities and challenges with the ability to translate into practical plans of action  
• Ability to manage complex relationships and handle difficult situations in calm and professional manner  
• Ability to establish effective interdepartmental relationships, manage multiple contacts and projects, and drive business  
• Collaborative and solutions-oriented  
• Detailed-oriented and articulate; highly developed communication skills, both verbal and written, to communicate effectively and persuasively  
• Strong project management skills focused on organization, time management and planning  
• Ability to think strategically across multiple relationships and balance organizational and partner objectives  
• Passion for understanding partners’ business and being a trusted advisor in their day-to-day challenges  
• Highly motivated, self-starter with high energy and team spirit  
• Ability to craft presentations and present and pitch effectively  
• Excellent problem solving, decision-making and interpersonal skills  
• Confident leadership presence and professional demeanor  
• Can operate autonomously without guidance  
• Proactive approach to upsell opportunities and business development  
• Availability to work weekends and extended hours as needed  
• High-level Microsoft office skills (Excel, PowerPoint) required, Salesforce experience a plus  
• Passion for NYRR’s mission  

Other Requirements:

• Ability to work occasional weekends or evenings (Add to all Job Descriptions)
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (Add to all Job Descriptions)
• Operate on a hybrid schedule, with two days per week in the NYRR office in NYC (Add to all Job Descriptions)
• All staff are required to work the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon, RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon, and the TCS NYC Marathon

Salary: $100,000/year