Manager, Global Partnerships (Business Development)

Position Title: Manager, Global Partnerships (Business Development)

Department: Global Partnerships

Status: Full-time/Permanent

Reports to: Associate Vice President, Global Partnerships

Location: Toronto, ON (Hybrid)

Application Deadline: Friday, July 24th 2026

Company Descripton

The Canadian Football League is Canada's home for professional football. With over a century of rich history and nine member teams across the nation, the CFL provides world-class entertainment and excitement to a passionate and dedicated fan base. A season-long journey of unforgettable moments and must-see-TV broadcasts culminates in Canada’s largest single-day sporting event – the Grey Cup, where the newly crowned champions earn the right to hoist the iconic emblem of Canadian football.

The CFL is dedicated to entertaining fans in Canada and abroad. The league pursues that goal through a continuing commitment to modernize and elevate both the game and the business. The CFL is transforming its digital ecosystem and maximizing fan engagement through captivating content, data analytics, personalized marketing, and more.

Just as important as its industry-leading operations, the CFL proudly champions the values on which Canada was built – unity, diversity, inclusion, strength, and service to the community. The league is supportive of all peoples, cultures, and backgrounds, offering a respectful and inclusive working and playing environment, centered on acceptance and understanding. The CFL's successes are measured not only on the field and within its ranks, but also in its unparalleled impact in affecting positive change and bettering Canadian communities and lives.

Position Summary

The Manager, Global Partnerships will be responsible for cultivating new relationships with brands and must be seen as a problem-solver who is consistently focused on possibilities versus limitations, along with employing a positive, collaborative approach to all negotiations across a variety of different internal and external stakeholders.

The role requires a problem-solver who focuses on possibilities rather than limitations, and employs a positive, collaborative approach to all negotiations across a variety of internal and external transactions. The candidate must be skilled at identifying and engaging contacts at brands and agencies, across various categories, in addition to generating a robust pipeline of qualified national prospects year-round.

In addition to the intense desire to learn and succeed, the successful candidate has a background in packaging-up and selling-through IP-based partnership programming, with integrated media solutions designed to deliver against client brand goals and business objectives.

Key Responsbilities

• Proactively prospect, qualify, grow, and maintain a robust partner list.
• Present CFL Ventures products and initiatives to Clients on an on-going basis.
• Identify, develop and negotiate partnership agreements, leveraging all CFL Media & CFL Ventures assets.
• Assist AVP, Global Partnerships on budget forecast analysis and projections.
• Understand client needs and develop partnership marketing solutions that exceed their expectations.
• Work in conjunction with CFL Marketing, Content and Global Partnerships to develop and maintain customized sales proposals.
• Responsible for maintaining and evaluating current revenue along with anticipated revenue growth.
• Cultivate strategic client-side + agency relationships to secure revenue growth opportunities and build credibility in the marketplace.
• Identify, understand and communicate trends within client markets and industries.

Qualifications & Skills

• Self-starter, curious and driven to excel.
• Hunter mindset, with the ability to drive the sales cycle from initial prospect engagement through to contract negotiation and campaign execution.
• Working knowledge of media & sponsorship marketing with a specific focus on best practices and principles related to the sale and implementation of corporate partnerships and creative digital & experiential activations, including:
• Intellectual Property Rights
• Digital and social media platforms
• Brand activation and promotion across all key touchpoints (events, retail, multimedia) and key stakeholders (consumer, employee, trade)
• Working knowledge of other key marketing concepts and functions including Media (TV, Radio, Print, Digital, Mobile); brand strategy and positioning; marketing metrics (broadcast ratings, research in brand and promotion tracking)
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple tasks concurrently.
• A creative thinker, strategic seller with exceptional interpersonal skills.
• A compelling communicator and presenter with strong written and verbal skills.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in business/commerce/marketing or equivalent experience.
• Combination of 3+ years in a marketing, sponsorship and/or business development role.
• Established relationships and experience within the sports and media agency industry in Canada is a definite asset.

Expected Compensation

The expected compensation range for this position is $70,000- $80,000 which includes base pay plus bonuses and variable incentive pay, if eligible. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position and should serve simply as a guide. The specific compensation offered may vary based on factors such as candidate experience, skills, budget, location.

Other Considerations

Hybrid Model: The incumbent will be required to attend the office in accordance with the CFL Hybrid Work Policy. In addition, you are required to attend meetings and other business events at the office or other venues as business needs dictate.

Work Schedule: Due to the nature of the business, the incumbent must be available and willing to work evenings, weekends and holidays, as required.

Travel: As required.

Contact

To be considered for this opportunity, please submit your cover letter and resume.

The Canadian Football League is an equal opportunity employer, and we are working to create a more diverse and inclusive work environment. We welcome applications from traditionally underrepresented groups such as women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, people living with disabilities and people identifying as LGBTQ2S+.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The CFL may use artificial intelligence to screen, assess, and/or select applicants for an interview.

For additional information on the Canadian Football League, please visit our website at