Director of Business Development
Gainbridge Super League
Sales & Business Development
Spokane, WA, USA
USD 75k-95k / year
Posted on May 13, 2026
The Director of Business Development drives revenue growth by leading the partnership department's new business acquisition efforts and overseeing the renewal and expansion of existing corporate partnerships. This role identifies, pursues, and secures corporate partnership opportunities across all Aequus Sports, LLC assets—including traditional signage, livestream, radio, print, and internet—in close collaboration with the marketing and ticketing departments.
This position owns the complete sales lifecycle: from prospecting and pitching to negotiating and activating contractual agreements with corporate partners. Beyond deal-making, the Director cultivates lasting, high-trust relationships with sponsors to ensure retention, seamless activation, and exceptional customer service in every interaction representing Aequus Sports.
Key or Essential Functions
To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the duties listed below. The essential functions of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Meet and/or exceed assigned sales goals by developing and selling creative sponsorship packages. Directly close key accounts and responsible for selling and closing new business for consistent revenue generation.
- Research and build relationships with local and regional companies/brands to highlight the advantages of investing in Professional Men’s and Women’s soccer. Utilizes creativity, innovation, and research to identify corporate partnerships for Aequus Sports.
- Design, implement, and oversee the entirety of the sales process for the department: prospecting, building/presenting sales presentations and end-of-year recaps, creating proposals, creating/negotiating contracts, upselling/renewing current partners, and all other steps throughout the sales process.
- Manage an existing book of business and be responsible for the upselling and renewing of current partners.
- Build and maintain lasting relationships with our corporate partners and the organization’s stadium partners/vendors. Cultivates meaningful ongoing relationships with corporate sponsors and commits to a deep understanding of the needs and preferences of each sponsor.
- Entertain clients and work various game day events (including regular nights and weekends).
- Understand the sports sponsorship landscape including traditional, non-traditional, and digital marketing assets, and stay up to date on changes and advancements within the industry.
- Engage regularly with the fulfillment manager and collaborate internally with other departments as needed such as ticketing and marketing.
- Establishes and fosters strong and professional relationships with the Spokane Public Facilities District (PFD) and Spokane Public Schools staff. May interact with the Spokane PFD to maintain compliance with stadium related sponsorships assets. Follows all Spokane PFD approval regulations.
- Develops, writes, and presents dynamic corporate sponsorship proposals to current and potential clients that meet or exceed potential partnerships business goals. Continually customizes sales presentations to incorporate a clear understanding of the prospect’s goals.
- Provides ongoing excellent customer services to corporate partners, fields questions or concerns, maintains open lines of communication as needed, and always represents Aequus Sports in a professional manner with a focus on valuing others diverse perspectives and input.
- This position must be able to work flexible hours, which may include extended days, nights, weekends, and holidays.
Secondary Functions
The startup nature and growth of Aequus Sports requires highly skilled employees who can operate in a fast paced and frequently changing environment. All positions require an entrepreneurial spirit to identify new solutions, a can-do attitude with a goal of always finding a way to success, and the ability to thrive in an environment of ambiguity and change. As individual employees, members of a team, and part of the entire Aequus Sports eco system, a passion for solving complex problems and contributing to the overall success of all operations is key. Every single employee contributes to a culture of working collaboratively and contributing to all aspects of the club. Employees must contribute fully to their own position and more broadly to all areas of business as needed to support the mission and drive forward success on and off the field.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, marketing, sports management, or related field.
- Minimum of 3-5 years of corporate sales experience or other related industry. Sales experience should include:
- Strategic prospecting and pipeline management.
- Experience developing, writing, and presenting high-value, six-figure plus sales proposals.
- Demonstrated ability to design and execute effective sales campaigns while guiding a team to replicate success.
- Advanced public speaking and presentation skills, including experience presenting to C-suite executives and community stakeholders.
- Direct experience selling sports team or stadium-related sponsorships at the professional or Division I collegiate level required.
- Ability to pass a comprehensive background check, including a motor vehicle report.
- Possess and maintain a current and valid driver’s license and maintain legally required insurance.
- Proven ability to build respectful working relationships and effectively communicate with employees, management, vendors, contractors, and community partners.
- Ability to work collaboratively with a cross-functional team.
- High degree of personal initiative.
- Proven track record of personal and team achievements.
- Demonstrates superior customer service skills by ensuring each interaction leaves the individual feeling heard, appreciated, understood, and valued.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience selling multi-faceted advertising and sponsorship platforms to local, regional, and national companies. Experience should include selling building signage and team assets, which include the following: signage, promotions, experiential marketing opportunities, radio, web, and print.
Compensation and Benefits
- Compensation Range: $75,000 - 95,000 base plus commission
- Vacation and sick leave
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and ADD benefits
- Complimentary tickets and Parking Pass
- Spokane Club Membership
- Merchandise Discount