Organization: MDE Tennis

Position Title: Vice President, Sponsorship & Partnership Sales, Mubadala Citi DC Open

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer, Mubadala Citi DC Open

Location: Washington D.C – Baltimore Area

Search Contact: Prodigy Search

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BACKGROUND

The Mubadala Citi DC Open tournament, played in Washington D.C., is one of the world’s premier tennis events and benefits the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation (WTEF). The tournament was founded in 1969 by Donald Dell, John Harris and Arthur Ashe in its current location in Rock Creek Park with a vision of making pro tennis accessible for all athletes and fans in the Washington community. 

Beginning in 2019, venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and DC native Mark Ein’s organization, MDE Tennis, began managing and operating the tournament under an agreement with WTEF. The organization provides underserved children in the D.C. area with a safe environment to learn critical life skills both on and off the courts through academic and athletic enrichment. The Mubadala Citi DC Open tennis tournament is the only combined ATP and WTA 500 level event in the world on the tour calendar and one of only five combined ATP/WTA tour events in the United States. After 53 years, it is also the longest-running professional tennis event at the same site in the United States.

SUMMARY

The Vice President, Sponsorship and Partnership Sales will be responsible for leading the strategic development, acquisition, and management of high-value sponsorships and partnerships for the Mubadala Citi DC Open, one of the world’s premier tennis events. This role will focus on building and maintaining long-term relationships with corporate sponsors, government entities, and philanthropic partners, driving revenue growth and maximizing the tournament's impact in the Washington, D.C. community. 

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in sponsorship sales, exceptional relationship-building skills, and a deep understanding of the sports and entertainment landscape. In addition to securing and negotiating new sponsorship opportunities, the VP will oversee the activation of existing partnerships, ensuring all deliverables are met, and aligning sponsor objectives with the tournament’s mission of benefiting the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation (WTEF). This position will also collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, operations, and community outreach teams to create innovative and engaging partner activations that enhance the overall event experience.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead new business sales efforts for partnerships globally, for the Mubadala Citi DC Open, a combined ATP/WTA 500 tournament, heavily focusing on the Mubadala Citi DC Open.
• Create the overall strategy for commercial partnerships, develop the annual budget, and establish performance metrics for sponsorships and advertising operations.
• Take an active role in the key category development and platform ideation for the Mubadala Citi DC Open.
• Experience using data and insights to make business decisions and connect insights to strategy and positive business outcomes.
• Leverage network, relationships, and cold outreach to identify potential new business.
• Build and maintain relationships with key decision makers of potential new business partners.
• Monetizes organization-wide assets including, but not limited to, all forms of content, Mubadala Citi DC Open intellectual property, special events, new business opportunities, and more.
• Serve as a key member of the MDE Tennis executive team.
• Attend daily staff meetings with senior-level executives and provide routine sales updates as needed.
• Ability to quickly earn and maintain trust.
• International outlook and ability to work with diverse cultures.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, the candidate must be able to perform each essential duty above at the highest levels. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. 

• Degree in Business, Management, Sales or Marketing, required
• Seven (7) plus years of high-level partnership sales experience
• Three (3) plus years of management experience with a demonstrated ability to effectively lead a direct report, including developing sales strategies, managing performance, incorporating ongoing education, and providing measurable results
• High-level contacts at large and midsize corporations, particularly companies with partnership portfolio
• Proficient in Microsoft PowerPoint with a strong focus on creating and refining high-impact proposals
• Strong interpersonal and leadership abilities with excellent communication skills

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CONTACT INFORMATION

Founded in 2007, Prodigy Search, located in the New York City suburb of Freehold, NJ, boasts over 80 years of experience in the sports and entertainment business. As a renowned nationwide leader in senior-level executive search, Prodigy Search has honed its business principles and expertise, establishing itself as the largest boutique recruiting agency in North America. Simply, Prodigy Search is Where the Best Brands Come for the Best Talent.

No phone calls please. For any additional questions, please email info@prodigysearch.net.