National Sales Manager

FOR MORE INFORMATION: DAN ROSSETTI, ASCENSION SPORTS PARTNERS, DAN@ASCENSION-SPORTS.NET

POSITION OVERVIEW

POSITION OVERVIEW: Does the opportunity to help be an essential part of developing the future of a young, exciting, and leading-edge company in the tech/athlete endorsement space excite you?

Do you live and breathe all sponsorships at local, regional, and national levels?

Do you understand and enjoy the impact of managing a team of remote sales leaders?

If you’re interested in combining your passion for sports with a successful track record in sponsorship sales leadership, we want to speak with you! The National Sales Manager will directly contribute to the revenue development and the overall growth of the Blueprint Sports business by helping lead teams at each property through sports marketing and sponsorship opportunities with the student-athletes at each school. The vision and business plan you install around each property will help the staff understand the right businesses and brands to reach out to in the community.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Support the general manager and associate general manager at each property to exceed top-line sponsorship sales and bottom-line EBITDA goals.
  • Provide strategic direction to properties (including 2–3-year growth plan, new content, asset development, etc.).
  • Establish pipelines, sales goals, sales collateral, and more to help the local team be successful.
  • Participate in negotiations and meetings with key sponsors in and around the properties locally or nationally.
  • Help structure and manage collaboration across properties and Blueprint Sports Leadership.
  • Lead and support training and development initiatives.
  • Participate in industry-related events or associations that will enhance the organization’s reputation and potential for success.

Qualifications, Skills, and Education Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree from a four-year accredited college or university
  • 5+ years of experience in a sponsorship sales leadership role in the sports/entertainment industry
  • Previous experience in collegiate sports preferred
  • Demonstrated ability to inspire, manage, and motivate remote sales teams
  • Experience negotiating deals and managing strategic partnerships
  • Proven track record of developing and maintaining strong, lasting relationships with relevant stakeholders
  • High energy level coupled with a strong drive for results
  • Able to create and execute strategic plans to meet both short and long term business objectives
  • Must demonstrate a high level of integrity and honesty
  • Ability to take complex solutions and make them simple to explain and digest
  • Effective communication, organizational, presentation, and listening skills
  • Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Suite(s)
  • Willingness and ability to travel domestically where needed

Nate Brown

General Manager

Nate Brown is the General Manager of Zags Collective, leading the charge to help amplify the opportunities for the Gonzaga student-athletes through NIL partnerships with local charities, fans and businesses. With over a decade of experience in the professional sports industry and as a former business owner in Spokane, Nate is a seasoned professional who knows what it takes to succeed. Most recently, he served as the National Sales Director for a prominent west-coast real estate company, where he was responsible for driving growth and retention. With a deep understanding of sales and marketing, Nate brings a wealth of knowledge to the table and is always seeking innovative ways to drive revenue and create partnerships.With a passion for ensuring the success of student-athletes both on and off the field, Nate is dedicated to providing the necessary resources to keep Gonzaga competitive on the national stage. He understands the importance of building and maintaining strong relationships with the community and local businesses, and works to maximize opportunities for Gonzaga’s student-athletes. As the son of two Gonzaga alumni, including a father who was a baseball pitcher and also a coach for the school, Nate has a great connection to the university and a passion for ensuring its continued success. Outside of work, Nate enjoys spending time with family, including his wife Jessica and their 16-year-old daughter Brooklynn and 12-year-old son Marcus. When not working or spending time with family, you can find Nate at any one of the amazing golf courses in Spokane, honing his swing!

Mike Smith

General Manager

Mike Smith joined Micconope 1851 in March 2023 and is excited to be the General Manager and looks forward to working with Blueprint Sports increase NIL revenue generation for Florida State University student-athletes. Smith comes to Micconope 1851 from Catawba College where he held the title as the Senior Director of Athletics, Development. Prior to working in Athletics at Catawba College, Mike served as the Associate Athletics Director for External Relations at Charleston Southern University. Smith has an impressive background in the collegiate athletics industry, having held senior level development and corporate sponsorship sales roles at The University of Southern Mississippi, Limestone University, the Sun Belt Conference, Florida Atlantic University, and with multimedia rights-holders Tele South Communications at the University of Mississippi, Learfield Sports at UNC Chapel Hill, and with International Sports Properties at Georgia Tech. Smith is a graduate of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina, and holds a master’s degree in Business Management from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In his new role here at Micconppe 1851, Smith will be responsible for raising major gifts for NIL deals as well as securing NIL corporate sponsorships for Florida State University student-athletes. Mike looks forward to helping ensure the FSU student-athletes have the resources and leadership opportunities to remain competitive nationally and positioned for success well beyond graduation. Mike is married to Katy Smith; the couple looks forward to relocating to Tallahassee, Florida, and becoming a part of the Micconope 1851 and Seminole family!

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