VP Athletics Corporate Partnerships

Position Summary:

The Vice President, Athletics Corporate Partnerships is responsible for leading new business development efforts and securing corporate sponsorship revenue for University of South Florida Athletics. This position drives the identification, cultivation, and execution of multi-year partnership agreements with regional, national, and international organizations. The role collaborates closely with internal stakeholders to develop integrated, solution-based partnership opportunities aligned with institutional priorities.

Essential Functions:

• Leads new business development efforts, including identification, cultivation, and solicitation of prospective corporate partners.
• Develops and executes strategic plans for category development, platform ideation, and revenue generation across new and existing partnership opportunities.
• Secures and conducts partnership development meetings with prospective clients through relationship management and proactive outreach.
• Researches and identifies target industries, companies, and decision-makers to expand the Athletics sponsorship portfolio.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with key stakeholders, including corporate executives, marketing leaders, and agency partners.
• Collaborates with internal University and Athletics stakeholders to design integrated partnership opportunities that align with partner marketing objectives and institutional goals.
• Develops and delivers high-level sales presentations, proposals, and pitch materials, including vision decks and customized partnership concepts.
• Presents University of South Florida Athletics to prospective partners and develops solution-based sponsorship packages that drive value and revenue.
• Negotiates and closes sponsorship agreements, including multi-year and high-value deals, and coordinates with legal counsel through contract execution.
• Works collaboratively with the Corporate Partnerships team to support overall revenue growth, client strategy, and departmental initiatives.
• Represents University of South Florida Athletics in a professional manner with external partners, agencies, and the broader business community.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support the success of the Corporate Partnerships unit and Athletics department.

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of sponsorship sales strategy, partnership development, and integrated marketing solutions.
• Ability to identify opportunities, develop innovative partnership concepts, and deliver customized solutions.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships at all levels internally and externally.
• Ability to communicate the value of sponsorship as a strategic marketing investment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, results-driven environment.
• Demonstrated leadership, initiative, and competitive drive to achieve revenue goals.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in corporate partnerships, sponsorship sales, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience in revenue generation, including negotiating and closing high-value sponsorship agreements.
• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with senior-level corporate stakeholders.
• Strong communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.

 

Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.
• Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
• SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
• A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
• (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
• (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
• (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
• (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
• (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
• Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
• Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in collegiate athletics, professional sports, media, or entertainment industries.
• Established network (“book of business”) with corporate decision-makers and sponsorship buyers.
• Experience with new facility development, capital projects, or large-scale partnership platforms.
• Demonstrated success in selling six- and seven-figure sponsorship agreements.

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 at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: 

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.  This job description does not constitute an employment contract.