The GIST is standing up a development program focused on giving young sales and account management professionals a 360 view of how brand partnerships come to life. We’re seeking a Partnerships Associate to join our team full-time and participate in this new and unique development program!

The Partnerships Development Program will offer development experiences across sales, integrated marketing, and account management, and will consist of two job rotations, with the total program spanning 12-18 months. Following completion of the program, it is expected that participants will step into a Partnerships Account Executive role.

What you’ll be doing in your first 6-9 months as an Associate Account Executive:

Prospecting strategy and operations:

• Research qualified leads to target for potential partnership opportunities

• Write and build outbound cadences utilizing research and insights, prospecting best practices, and performance metrics to guide cadence development

• Develop account- and category-level strategies for priority accounts, prospects, and industries

• Measure performance of our outbound emails, including A/B testing to inform our messaging strategy

• Maintain our Salesforce data architecture, including auditing for data accuracy, and identifying opportunities to enrich our data

• Research, test, and implement new prospecting technologies to drive results

Business development planning and execution:

• Lead the end-to-end planning and execution for our business development activity, including event planning, coordination, and communications

• Partner with the sales team on coordinating business development activities (e.g., lunch & learns), supporting on partner communications and fulfillment

• Develop and lead partner appreciation initiatives (e.g., year-end gifts) and lifecycle communications (e.g., quarterly updates)

Deal support:

• Support the Brand Partnerships Sales team in preparing for and joining prospective client calls, including research and post-call follow-ups

• Participate in the proposal / RFP process by helping prepare proposal outlines and contributing to proposals

• Develop media plans that are tailored to the client’s objectives and bring the best of The GIST’s branded offerings to the table

• Liaise with sales operations and account management to secure inventory and plan content accordingly

• Support the pre-sale process end-to-end, including preparing data and support for client questions, and leading the close of sale process

What we’re looking for:

• 2+ years of relevant work experience across sales, customer success/account management, marketing, or operations. Experience in the sports and/or media industries considered an asset

• Experience at or working with major media agencies (Omnicom, Publicis, Horizon, Digitas, etc.) or building media plans considered a major asset

• Exceptional problem-solving skills and attention to detail, with an ability to proactively identify solutions to potential roadblocks or challenges

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to draft and tailor communication styles across mediums: emails, slide decks, on calls, etc.

• Strong prioritization skills, with an ability to work quickly and efficiently, adapting to changing priorities as they arise; comfort with ambiguity

• Quick learner with a positive attitude, bringing energy to both internal and external conversations; confidence to speak up and provide input on internal and external processes

• Ownership and client-first mindset, with an ability to internalize the outcomes we are striving to achieve for our clients, audience, and business

• Comfort navigating a fast-paced, startup environment where flexibility, initiative, and wearing multiple hats is the norm

• Growth mindset with a drive to learn new skills, identify new opportunities, and proactively step into new projects

• Passion for our space and mission, and an ability to positively contribute to a culture of inclusion, ownership, and accountability

Ready to help level the playing field? Here’s what’s next:

Send an email to hiring@thegistsports.com with the subject line: “[Your Name] - Partnerships Associate”, and attach a 1-page resume. Please note that we are a small hiring team and may only contact applicants who are selected for an interview.

The GIST is strongly committed to diversity and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of color, women, Indigenous/Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

The GIST strives to make our entire hiring process as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities. For any recruitment related accommodation needs and/or requests please contact us via email at accessibility@thegistsports.com.