General Manager (San Jose State University)

GENERAL MANAGER, SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS PROPERTIES

San Jose, California

On-site

THE RUNDOWN

Playfly Sports is looking for a General Manager to join our team in San Jose, CA.

The General Manager will serve as the on-site leader for Playfly Sports at San Jose State University Athletics and will be responsible for executing Playfly’s strategy to generate and grow partnership revenue. This role will lead the sports property team, drive new business, maintain and maximize revenue opportunities from existing partner relationships, and oversee the development, sale, and execution of integrated partnership marketing campaigns.

The General Manager will work closely with the Athletics Director and senior athletics leadership, as well as Playfly Sports Properties leadership, to identify new revenue opportunities, develop strategic partnerships, strengthen and grow existing relationships, and build long-term relationships with regional and national brands. The General Manager will also be responsible for leading, managing, and developing the on-site Playfly Sports Properties team while ensuring the property meets or exceeds its annual revenue goals.

WHAT YOU’LL ACCOMPLISH

· Serve as Playfly Sports’ on-site leader, working closely with San Jose State Athletics leadership to develop and execute the property’s overall partnership strategy and achieve or exceed annual revenue goals.

· Lead all partnership revenue efforts for the property, including new business development, renewals, retention, and growth of existing partner relationships.

· Develop and execute an annual sales plan, including revenue targets, prospecting strategy, category development, renewal strategy, and pipeline management.

· Personally prospect, develop, negotiate, and close significant new and renewal partnership agreements with local, regional, and national brands.

· Maintain and maximize revenue opportunities from existing partner relationships by identifying opportunities to renew, expand, and deepen partnerships.

· Manage the property’s P&L, revenue forecasting, expenses, and budget performance to achieve or exceed EBITDA goals.

· Lead, manage, coach, and develop the on-site sales and partnership services team, establishing clear expectations, individual goals, accountability, and professional development.

· Build and maintain a strong working relationship with the Athletics Director, senior athletics leadership, coaches, university stakeholders, and other key campus constituents.

· Collaborate with Playfly Sports Properties leadership and San Jose State Athletics to develop partnership inventory, pricing, revenue projections, category strategies, and new revenue opportunities.

· Build and manage a robust sales pipeline by leveraging university relationships, networking, referrals, research, and consistent prospecting of local, regional, and national companies.

· Develop compelling partnership marketing campaigns, presentations, and proposals based on research, category dynamics, audience insights, and a thorough understanding of each prospective partner’s business and marketing objectives.

· Lead a consultative sales process that identifies partner objectives and connects those objectives to customized San Jose State Athletics assets and marketing solutions.

· Draft, negotiate, and manage partnership agreements in coordination with Playfly Sports Properties, university leadership, and legal teams.

· Cultivate strong relationships with current and prospective partners through meetings, events, hospitality, networking, and other relationship-building opportunities.

· Ensure existing partners receive a high level of service, fulfillment, communication, and measurement, including annual partnership recaps and renewal planning.

· Oversee the property’s audio and broadcast platform, including digital distribution and management of broadcast talent and related partners.

· Develop a strong understanding of Playfly Sports’ broader capabilities and business units to identify cross-functional solutions, new categories, leads, and incremental revenue opportunities.

· Stay current on the sports marketing and partnership landscape, including industry trends, emerging categories, competitive properties, market conditions, and new revenue opportunities.

· Represent San Jose State University, San Jose State Athletics, and Playfly Sports professionally and in alignment with each organization’s standards and values.

· Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

· Bachelor’s degree required

· 6-8 years of direct sales experience in the sports multi-media environment required

· 10 years of experience in a sales role preferred

· Experience managing a team of direct reports

· Proven ability in managing, meeting & exceeding budget & revenue goals

· Familiarity with KORE or similar CRM system

· Strong experience and understanding of integrated and “conceptual” sales

· Ability to generate and present ideas and concepts succinctly and provide creative solutions to prospects/clients

· Outstanding verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills

· Demonstrated professional sales presentation skills

· Must be driven and coachable to execute the Playfly Sports Properties revenue model and to understand the distinctive relationship with university Athletics

TRAVEL, LIFTING, PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

· Must be available for game days and evening athletic events and coaches shows

· Must be available to travel for client presentations

· Must be able to work nights and weekends around sporting events

COMPENSATION