Senior Director of Business Development

The Seneca Nation, through its business subsidiary, Seneca Holdings, is now the proud owner of the Rochester Knighthawks, ensuring the franchise’s future in a city where the roots of lacrosse run deep.  

At Seneca Holdings, we believe that a great workplace starts with a strong sense of purpose and community. As a company wholly owned by the Seneca Nation, a federally recognized American Indian Tribe, our culture is built on the values of quality, integrity, teamwork, professionalism, and connection.  Every business we build plays a role in ensuring long-term economic self-sufficiency for members of the Seneca Nation. What sets us apart is we’re guided by the Seneca Nation’s Seventh Generation Principle, based on the philosophy that all decisions should be made with purpose, ensuring a positive impact on the future seven generations.

The Rochester Knighthawks are seeking a Senior Director of Business Development in Rochester, NY.

The Senior Director of Business Development will be responsible for leading and overseeing the Rochester Knighthawks business development department.  The Senior Director will be responsible for driving revenue growth and establishing mutually beneficial partnerships for the organization. This position will be responsible for generating and developing new as well as existing corporate partnership opportunities and revenue for the Rochester Knighthawks. In addition to negotiating and re-negotiating specific benefits to be included in and the investment of the sponsorship, suite, and ticket packages. This role will oversee the department’s activation strategy and efforts to ensure the understanding and execution of each corporate partnership agreement. This position will work cohesively with other departments of the organization to develop and execute corporate partnership campaigns and activations that generate meaningful corporate relationships and revenue for the organization.  This role requires a strategic individual who can collaborate and lead across departments, while building meaningful relationships with brands and organizations in the community. This position reports to the President & General Manager.

Duties & Responsibilities 

• Direct and manage all aspects of the business development department
• Work with leadership on short and long-term development efforts and optimization of corporate revenue and staffing for business development department
• Tactical planning for growth of the business development department and staff through continued development, coaching, and training
• Continuously review business processes and make improvements to workflows and operations of business development department as needed
• Research and identify corporate partnership prospects locally, regionally, and nationally within key open and emerging categories
• Lead and direct ongoing corporate partnership presentations with internal and external partners; develop meaningful and positive relationships with corporate partners to execute against short and long-term strategic business development plans
• Prospect, conduct sponsorship presentations / meetings, and close corporate partnerships in support of individual and department revenue / sales goals for organization
• Strategic planning to enhance and renew corporate partnerships for organization
• Oversee the development and implementation of marketing strategies for new business, renewals and growing existing corporate partnerships
• Build strong, meaningful relationships with existing partners by delivering a high-level of customer service
• Manage and oversee all corporate partnerships, renewals, and the retention effort, including proposals, planning, execution, customer service strategy, entertainment plans and proof of performance for the department
• Oversee servicing team and all partnership fulfillment and execution of all corporate partnership agreements
• Work collaboratively with other departments to improve performance, communication, corporate partner offerings and shared capabilities
• Collaborate with departments to develop and create new inventory to support new revenue streams for the organization
• Maintain weekly internal and league reports including prospect tracking, account / revenue / financial status, and relevant partner interaction
• Manage, plan, and direct budget and forecast for business development department
• Strong focus on relationship sales, development, customer retention and satisfaction
• Other duties as assigned by President & General Manager as determined by business needs

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required with preferre