Senior Partnership Manager - Road Runner Sports

Join Road Runner Sports as our next Senior Partnership Manager, take the helm of a dynamic role that bridges the gap between brands and consumers seeking active lifestyles, shaping partnerships that inspire and elevate the local community? Welcome to Road Runner Sports (RRS), where every strategic collaboration is a journey towards fostering a culture that inspires everyone to get moving, stay active and live healthy.

As a Partnership Marketing Manager at Road Runner Sports in the Chicago area, you will be at the forefront of building relationships that promote active living and empower individuals to embrace a lifestyle of health and vibrancy. Imagine a role where your creativity and vision drive innovation, where every partnership forged is a step towards creating meaningful connections that resonate with our diverse audience.

Join us on a journey where your passion for cultivating partnerships can make a tangible impact on the world of active lifestyles. Whether you're a seasoned expert in brand collaborations or a dynamic relationship-builder looking to make your mark, at Road Runner Sports, we celebrate diversity and inclusivity in all partnerships. As we pave the way for a future where wellness and vitality are at the forefront of every interaction, we invite you to be a catalyst for change within our dynamic team. Get ready to unlock your full potential and embark on a career that's as inspiring and invigorating as the partnerships you'll cultivate.

We have 4 stores in the Chicago area with hundreds of Fit Experts who play a vital role in ensuring that customers find their perfect “fit”. They combine technology and expertise with empathy and preferences to recommend the ideal shoe every time. Guiding runners, walkers, hikers, pickleball platers, gym goers… everyone who wears shoes….toward comfort, performance, and joy, they inspire countless strides on the path to greatness. 

Your role is to create partnerships that drives new traffic to the Chicago stores and pioneer relationship that create “remote retail” opportunities through our mobile fitting solution.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and implement partnership marketing strategies to drive brand awareness and customer acquisition (both in our Chicago store and remotely)
• Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with like-minded brands, business and organizations both inside and outside the health and wellness space
• Collaborate with internal teams, the Chicago retail district manager and store leaders to align partnership initiatives with overall marketing objectives and brand messaging
• Negotiate partnership agreements and contracts to ensure mutually beneficial terms and conditions
• Manage day-to-day communication and relationship-building with partners to ensure smooth collaboration and successful execution
• Work with the Chicago retail district manager and store leaders to execute remote retail opportunities
• Track and analyze key performance metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of partnership campaigns and optimize future strategies
• Develop creative marketing campaigns and promotions in collaboration with partners to engage our target audience
• Stay informed about industry trends and competitor activities to identify new partnership opportunities and stay ahead of the curve
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to execute partnership marketing initiatives on time and within budget
• Act as a brand ambassador for Road Runner Sports in all partnership interactions to uphold brand values and integrity
• Provide regular reports and updates to senior management on partnership performance, ROI
• Monitor and manage partnership marketing budget to ensure efficient allocation of resources and maximize profitability
• Attend industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities to expand partnership network and stay connected with industry peers
• Stay up-to-date with best practices in partnership marketing and make recommendations for continuous improvement in processes and strategies
• Collaborate with the marketing and retail teams and to integrate partnership initiatives into overall marketing campaigns and messaging for a cohesive brand experience 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Minimum of 3-5 years experience in goal-driven sales environment
• Passionate about the running/walking/fitness community
• Accountability and ability to create and provide regular reports on your results and progress to your manager
• Natural competitive spirit and a winning personality with the ability to build relationships with a wide variety of personality types at all levels of an organization
• Team player who can work as well independently as you can partnering with your teammates
• Proficient in writing reports, business correspondence, and procedural manuals.
• Capable of delivering information effectively and handling inquiries from diverse audiences, including executives, managers, clients, and customers
• Skilled in data analysis to formulate strategic business plans based on insights.
• Strong problem-solving skills to define issues, gather data, establish facts, and draw sound conclusions
• Intermediate proficiency in Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Skilled in fostering a culture of transparent and positive communication and collaborating effectively with employees at all levels
• Open to regular and frequent communication with field teams and other departments to ensure operational efficiency

After acceptance of a potential offer, the successful completion of a background check will be required prior to start date. The offer is contingent upon the information received in this report, and will be carried out in accordance with Local, State, and Federal laws.

We’re committed to protecting your privacy rights. We collect personal information from you, including personally identifying information, professional or employment-related information, and educational information. The purpose of this collection is to assist in evaluating your application for employment.

To ensure your application is received as timely as possible, we encourage you to apply directly onto our Road Runner Sports Career page.

As you apply directly on our site, we will be reaching out to you within the next 10 days should your experience and qualifications meet our requirements for this position.

Road Runner Sports is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Road Runner Sports is an e-verify organization and an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.