VP Athletics Partnership Activation

Position Summary:

The Vice President, Athletics Partnership Activation is responsible for the strategic leadership, execution, and oversight of all corporate partnership activation efforts within University of South Florida Athletics. This position serves as the primary relationship manager for corporate partners and their agencies, ensuring successful implementation, fulfillment, and optimization of partnership agreements. The role provides leadership to activation staff, drives revenue retention and growth through renewals and upsell opportunities, and ensures alignment between partner objectives and departmental priorities. 

Essential Functions:

• Serves as the primary liaison for assigned corporate partners, managing relationships and ensuring successful execution of integrated partnership agreements.
• Leads the development and execution of partnership activation strategies, including ongoing client engagement, performance tracking, and identification of new opportunities.
• Oversee the implementation and fulfillment of all partnership assets, including intellectual property rights, game day activations, digital/social media, print, hospitality, and special events.
• Direct and supervise full-time and part-time partnership activation staff, including hiring, training, performance management, and professional development.
• Manages the partnership renewal and upsell process, including development of proposals, presentations, and end-of-year recap materials.
• Collaborates with internal stakeholders across Athletics and the University to align partnership deliverables with institutional priorities and partner marketing objectives.
• Develops and communicates timelines, creative requirements, artwork specifications, and implementation deadlines to ensure timely execution of partnership elements.
• Prepares, reviews, and processes documentation related to partnership implementation, activation tracking, and annual reporting.
• Oversees coordination of ticketing, hospitality, and event logistics for corporate partners at Athletics events.
• Ensures compliance with University policies, NCAA regulations, and contractual obligations related to corporate partnerships.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support the success of the Corporate Partnerships unit and broader Athletics department.

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of partnership activation strategies, marketing principles, and client service best practices.
• Ability to develop creative solutions that align partner objectives with organizational goals.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships at all levels internally and externally.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• High level of attention to detail, organization, and problem-solving ability.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in partnership marketing, activation, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing staff, including performance oversight and team development.
• Proven ability to manage complex client relationships and deliver high-level service and activation execution.
• Strong organizational, project management, and communication skills.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in collegiate athletics, professional sports, or a related industry.
• Demonstrated success in partnership renewals, revenue growth, and client retention strategies.
• Experience developing and executing integrated marketing and activation campaigns.
• Familiarity with digital, social, and experiential marketing platforms.

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF 

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe a