JOB TITLE: Senior Director, Partnership Activation + Merchandising

REPORTS TO: VP, Partnership & Premium Experiences

EXEMPT STATUS: Exempt

SALARY RANGE: $132,000-$140,000

ABOUT US: As one of the most storied franchises in the NFL, the Minnesota Vikings are an iconic team with a passionate fanbase and a mission to advance the Vikings legacy through the passionate pursuit of excellence. Our values anchor our us – we stive to achieve, we put the team first, we seek to learn, we exhibit high character, and we are committed to a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment. We are headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota and we operate as a fully integrated organization dedicated to driving success both on the field and in the community.

SUMMARY: This role leads the Partnership Activation and Merchandising Teams, driving strategies for corporate partnerships, merchandising (internal and external), and marketing. The leader will collaborate across departments, including Revenue, Video, Legal, Finance, Brand Marketing, Community Relations, and Strategy & Insights, ensuring alignment with the overall team sports strategy.

The role sets annual goals for partnership activation and merchandising, focusing on integrated marketing, contractual fulfillment, financial oversight, and best practices in partner management. The leader will leverage organizational assets to deliver impactful activations and media solutions, while enhancing fan engagement and creating memorable experiences.

A strong strategic planner with business acumen, this leader should have a deep understanding of the sports industry, be proactive in decision-making, and possess excellent communication and relationship-building skills. They must inspire, mentor, and develop a high-performing team with a focus on collaboration and accountability, all while thriving within a dynamic sports environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The duties include, but are not limited to, managing the day-to-day partner relationships, fulfillment, recap and renewal process as well as managing the U.S. Bank Stadium, TCO Performance Center and team asset inventories to ensure all revenue opportunities are exposed as well as fulfilled. The role also oversees the relationships, strategy and planning of internal merchandise and gifting, as well as external retail and limited license strategies. Specifics include:

• Demonstrate strong expertise in partnership strategy, negotiations and management within the evolving marketing and media landscape to provide thought leadership and best practices to the organization.
• Oversee all aspects associated with the transfer of management of new accounts from Revenue team to Activation team, as well as lead and the onboarding of corporate partners to the relationship with the Vikings.
• Identify and lead the implementation, activation, reporting and delivery of all marketing partnership agreements, including the facilitation of year-end recap process and reviews with existing partners while identifying and negotiating additional opportunities regarding the renewal process to maximize our assets and inventory.
• Identify and lead projects individually and through leaders: defining operational & project scope, collecting requirements, providing analysis/development plans, and ensuring that leaders are working closely with project teams during execution of operations and projects.
• Keep the available and executable asset inventories up to date and track availability and new assets by media type.
• Assist in research of new business opportunities and support with the proposal and contract process on new accounts for the U.S. Bank Stadium, TCO Performance Center and team asset and the team by reviewing proposals and providing input
• Oversee all aspects of Internal Merchandising, Gifting, and Special Projects drive brand engagement by curating premium products, exclusive gifts, and custom initiatives that celebrate the Vikings’ identity, enhance team culture, and create meaningful connections with employees, partners, and fans.
• Drive our strategic partnership with Fanatics, delivering a best-in-class retail and e-commerce experience, offering Vikings fans premium merchandise, exclusive collections, and seamless shopping across digital and in-store channels
• Build talent strategies to attract, engage, retain and develop talent across the Partnership Activation and Merchandising teams, which includes managing and training the Activation and Merchandising Team of Senior Managers, Managers, Coordinators and Associates.
• Internal team lead with Legal, Finance and Ticketing departments – meet weekly to follow up on open items and share timely updates/follow ups
• Manage team budget and trade fulfillment tracking, as well as monthly activation expense accounting
• Work closely with VP, Partnership Activation, Merchandising, Premium and Guest Experience, and Events & Hospitality Teams and leaders to maintain a continuous knowledge of project status in order to stay on schedule and identify potential issues and/or opportunities within or related to the various projects and deliverables

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience managing teams
• 5+ years of sponsorship/account management at a senior-level or executive-level experience, including strategic decision-making, overseeing large or complex accounts, and managing high-profile partnerships in sports, entertainment, or similar industries.
• Degree in related field or equivalent work experience preferred
• Culture-first leader with a track record of hiring, developing, motivating and leading successful diverse and inclusive teams with a proven understanding of the business imperative around inclusivity and belonging
• Experience working in team sports environments, with a demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively in team-oriented settings.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Extremely customer focused (both external and internal customers)
• Influential leader with the ability to engage and negotiate with business leaders and teams
• Continuous improvement mindset with structured problem-solving skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to influence senior leadership
• Strong collaborator with highly effective relationship and partnership skills. Proven history in managing relationships with key stakeholders (internal, partners, agencies, suppliers, executives
• Demonstrated ability to be strategic and proactive, taking an integrated and data-driven approach

CONFIDENTIALITY REQUIREMENTS: This position may require the individual to have access to confidential records and information. To successfully perform this position, confidentiality of the information with which the individual has contact must be maintained.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to perform physical tasks such as lifting and moving boxes etc.
• The ability to sit at a desk for long periods of time.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Standard office for regular office hours

The Minnesota Vikings are committed to creating and sustaining a culture for you. Whoever you are, we are an organization that embraces and empowers people of all backgrounds and experiences and incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion into the foundation of everything we do. We are proud to have a culture that empowers our people to harness their uniqueness to develop their full potential as a contributor to the success of the organization and the communities we serve. The Minnesota Vikings are an equal opportunity employer, and we continue to commit to creating equitable opportunities by ensuring that our place can be anyone’s place.