Account Manager, Partnership Activation

Title: Account Manager, Partnership Activation Employee Status: Regular Full Time Work From Home Option: Hybrid - 2 Days/Week (40% Remote) FLSA Status: Exempt Job Overview: The New York Racing Association (NYRA) is seeking a highly organized, energetic, and collaborative Account Manager, Partnership Activation to support the execution and management of NYRA’s growing portfolio of corporate partnerships. This role will focus primarily on the activation, fulfillment, and day-to-day servicing of partnership agreements across NYRA’s premier racing properties, including Belmont Park, Saratoga Race Course, and NYRA’s expansive national broadcast coverage on FOX. The Account Manager will work closely with NYRA’s Partnership Sales team, corporate partners, and internal departments to translate sponsorship agreements into detailed activation plans and ensure all contractual assets are delivered effectively, on time, and to a high standard. This individual will play an important role in creating best-in-class partner experiences, supporting long-term partner relationships, and helping maximize the value and impact of NYRA’s corporate partnership platform. Essential Functions: Partnership Activation & Execution • Support the planning and execution of corporate partnership activations across on-site, digital, broadcast, experiential, and hospitality platforms. • Serve as a day-to-day point of contact for assigned corporate partners and assist with ongoing partnership servicing and communication. • Translate partnership agreements into detailed activation plans, timelines, deliverables, and internal tracking documents. • Coordinate fulfillment of contractual assets, including signage, branding, digital content, broadcast integrations, experiential activations, promotions, and hospitality. • Work cross-functionally with NYRA departments, including Marketing, Facilities, Communications, Operations, Broadcast, Digital, Ticketing, Hospitality, and Guest Services, to execute partnership commitments. • Coordinate the production, approval, and placement of branded assets, including signage, LED displays, in-venue branding, collateral, and experiential elements. • Manage activation timelines and ensure partnership assets are delivered accurately, on brand, and according to contractual requirements. • Coordinate on-site partner activations during race days, special events, and marquee racing events. • Assist partners with on-site logistics, credentials, hospitality, deliveries, vendor coordination, and other activation needs. • Support the development of creative activation concepts designed to enhance fan engagement, brand visibility, and partner value. • Maintain detailed records of partnership fulfillment and activation status throughout the season. Account Management & Partner Success • Develop strong working relationships with assigned corporate partners and serve as a reliable resource for day-to-day partnership needs. • Coordinate regular partner communications, status updates, meetings, and activation planning sessions. • Assist with the development of partnership recaps and presentations highlighting asset fulfillment, activation results, exposure, and overall partnership performance. • Track partner feedback and help identify opportunities to improve activations and enhance the overall partner experience. • Work with Partnership Sales leadership to identify potential renewal, upsell, and incremental activation opportunities within existing accounts. • Support partner hospitality and client entertainment during race days and marquee events. • Maintain a high level of responsiveness and professionalism in all partner interactions. Partnership Sales & Business Development Support • Support the Partnership Sales team with proposal development, presentations, research, and other materials as needed. • Assist with prospect and category research to support new business development efforts. • Help develop creative partnership concepts and activation ideas for prospective and existing partners. • Participate in partner and prospect meetings, venue tours, race-day hosting, and industry events as appropriate. • Maintain accurate partnership information, activation records, and account notes within NYRA’s internal tracking systems. • Assist with additional partnership initiatives tied to marquee events, the new Belmont Park, Saratoga Race Course, and other NYRA platforms. • Ensure all partnership elements are delivered on time, on brand, and to a high standard Qualifications: - 3–6+ years of experience in sponsorship sales, corporate partnership activation, or sports marketing - Strong understanding of integrated marketing platforms (experiential, media, digital, hospitality) - Experience executing sponsorship activations and managing partner deliverables preferred - Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills - Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, high-energy environment - Passion for sports, live events, and/or the racing industry is a plus Preferred Skills: • Pipeline management and forecasting • Relationship building and networking • Strategic thinking and account planning • Proposal development and storytelling • Client needs assessment and solution selling • Cross-functional collaboration (sales, marketing, activation) • CRM management • Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook) • Data analysis and insights interpretation • Time management and organization • Event hosting and client entertainment • Experiential marketing and brand activation execution • Project management and timeline coordination • Adaptability in fast-paced environments Summary of Physical Requirements and Work Environment: This role is primarily sedentary and performed in an office or office-like environment with no special physical demands required. The position involves extended periods of sitting with intermittent standing and walking, as well as occasional bending, reaching, and other routine movements typical of a professional workplace. The role requires regular hand manipulation, including daily typing and repetitive hand movements while working on a computer. Occasional light lifting (generally up to 10 lbs., and infrequently up to 30 lbs.) may be required. The work environment does not typically expose the employee to hazardous conditions. There is minimal exposure to environmental hazards such as moving mechanical parts, fumes, extreme weather, or high-risk work areas. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role. Pay Range / Salary: $27.94 - $32.09 per hour