Events & Partnership Activation Manager

WORK OPTION: The NBA currently provides eligible employees the option of working remotely one day per week.

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Job Summary:

The Manager, Events & Partnership Activation, is a key member of the Marketing Partnerships and Media team, dedicated to advancing innovation and delivering measurable business outcomes for the NBA and its partners. This role is responsible for managing partner deliverables, ensuring cross-functional collaboration, and securing necessary inputs and approvals from relevant stakeholders. The incumbent will play a pivotal role in supporting revenue growth and will serve as the primary point of contact for all NBA internal departments and properties.

Major Responsibilities:

• Support the team on ways to monetize and commercialize intellectual property, events, activities and initiatives undertaken by the company by assisting in the development of sales materials
• Align event communication and activation plans with broader commercial objectives, ensuring all partner touchpoints are designed to drive measurable value, support upsell opportunities, and reinforce renewal narratives.
• Exhibit a solid understanding and wholistic view of open inventory and the ability to navigate feasibility & ultimately obtain approval of benefits that are included in new business proposals, upsells, and renewals, in alignment with overall GPM targets
• Oversee and coordinate comprehensive communication and activation plans for major domestic and international NBA and affiliate league events
• Deliver compelling presentations to inform and engage both internal and external stakeholders—including account teams, affiliate leagues, colleagues, partners, agencies, and vendors—regarding event opportunities, renewals, and upsell initiatives.
• Cultivate and maintain strong global relationships to ensure fulfillment of contractual benefits and high levels of partnership satisfaction, thereby supporting renewal discussions and contributing to increased league revenue.
• Provide project and event-based support to account teams, demonstrating flexibility, a solutions-oriented mindset, teamwork, and the ability to manage and prioritize multiple deliverables across concurrent events and deadlines.
• Continuously evaluate and recommend enhancements to programming, processes, and operational procedures for tentpole events, with a focus on optimizing partner activation.

Required Education/Professional Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Advertising, Sports Management, Communications, or a related field is preferred.
• 4–6 years of professional experience in experiential marketing, account management, brand management, or a related discipline.

Required Skills/Knowledge Attributes:

• Comprehensive knowledge of sponsorship activation, including marketing rights, event and experiential marketing, media, brand management, hospitality, and content development.
• Exceptional relationship management skills, with the ability to build trust, credibility, and adapt to diverse personalities and working styles.
• Advanced presentation and communication skills, with experience leading discussions and engaging with senior executives both internally and externally.
• Highly motivated, proactive, and energetic self-starter with a strong sense of team spirit.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues creatively and effectively, particularly in high-pressure environments.
• Strong organizational skills, with the capacity to prioritize tasks efficiently.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Salary Range:

$95,000 - $110,000

Job Posting Title:

Manager

Employees currently are eligible to receive an annual discretionary performance bonus, awarded at the sole discretion of the Company and subject to any terms and conditions set by the Company. Employees and/or eligible dependents may be eligible to participate in the following Company-sponsored employee benefit programs: medical; dental; vision; life/AD&D insurance; short- and long-term disability; fertility and family-forming assistance; wellbeing allowance; educational assistance; mental health coaching/therapy; tax advantaged accounts such as HSA and healthcare/dependent care FSAs; a 401(k) retirement plan; and time off benefits that include vacation, sick time, and personal days.

We Consider Applicants For All Positions On The Basis Of Merit, Qualifications And Business Needs, And Without Regard To Race, Color, National Origin, Religion, Sex, Gender Identity, Age, Disability, Alienage Or Citizenship Status, Ancestry, Marital Status, Creed, Genetic Predisposition Or Carrier Status, Sexual Orientation, Veteran Status, Familial Status, Status As A Victim Of Domestic Violence Or Any Other Status Or Characteristic Protected By Applicable Federal, State, Or Local Law.

The NBA is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace. To safeguard our employees and their families, our visitors, and the broader community from COVID-19, and in consideration of recommendations from health authorities and the NBA’s own advisors, any individual working onsite in our New York and New Jersey offices must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The NBA will discuss accommodations for individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.

About the NBA

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. Built around five professional sports leagues: the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in 60 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2024-25 season featured a record-tying 125 international players from a record-tying 43 countries. NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.3 billion likes and followers globally across all leagues, team and player platforms. NBA Cares, the NBA’s global social responsibility platform, partners with renowned community-based organizations around the world to address important social issues in the areas of education, inclusion, youth and family development, and health and wellness.