National Account Manager - Olympic Sponsorships

Most companies claim to have the best people. We say to them, "Keep dreaming." Our people are second to none. They set us apart with their entrepreneurial spirit and ambition. They come to us from the likes of Amazon, Microsoft, Nordstrom, Starbucks and the sports world, bringing energy, bold ideas and a willingness to dive into the unfamiliar. It's our people that make BDA the top global Merchandise Agency to work for.

ABOUT BDA

BDA brings the world’s biggest brands to life through promotional merchandise. Fortune 500 companies and major sports leagues and teams come to us looking to connect with their consumers on an emotional level. We create three-dimensional advertising that people invite into their homes, offices, cars and classrooms. We let people see, touch, feel, own and interact with a brand in a way no other marketing permits. It’s what we like to call the Power of Merchandise.

We give our team members the creative freedom and foster the entrepreneurial spirit necessary to champion our clients’ branding goals utilizing cutting-edge ideas. Our people are our No. 1 asset, and we remain committed to making our company a great place to work for our team and family.

We take great pride in our company culture—one that inspires teamwork, fun and excellence across our organization. We’re energetic people who love what we do—churning out more than 50 million units each year for the world’s most admired brands in a fun, fast-paced environment that rewards high achievement.

BDA is especially known for its deep partnerships with professional and collegiate sports organizations, major events, and sponsorship activations. We’re looking for candidates who understand the dynamics of the sports industry and have direct experience managing sponsorship-driven programs.

OVERVIEW

As a National Account Manager – Sports Sponsorships at BDA, you will be the primary driver of large-scale client success. You’ll lead internal teams, mentor up-and-coming talent, influence supplier partnerships, and steer brand direction, all while ensuring smooth, scalable delivery for Olympic sponsors. Your ability to guide through change with positivity and resilience will help maintain and evolve a strong, results-driven culture through periods of company growth and transformation. You will focus on understanding clients’ needs and objectives, recommending suitable merchandise solutions and programs, and ensuring the successful execution and on-time delivery of projects. You will collaborate with various internal teams to meet customer expectations and contribute to the overall growth and success of BDA while meeting your client’s needs.

This role requires prior experience in the sports industry, including working with or within professional teams, leagues, collegiate athletics, or sports sponsors. A strong understanding of how sponsorship impacts fan engagement, branding, and merchandise strategy is essential.

The role of National Account Manager at BDA is dynamic and customer focused. Success in this position requires a combination of sales acumen, relationship building, creativity, project management, product knowledge, and the ability to consistently deliver excellent service to clients. It requires sharp strategic thinking, inspiring leadership, and polished executive presence—along with the agility to thrive in an extremely fast-paced, high-growth environment. By fostering strong relationships and providing valuable promotional solutions, the National Account Manager significantly contributes to the growth and success of BDA and the client’s marketing and branding goals.

LOCATION:

• This position requires candidates to live within a commutable distance to downtown Los Angeles, California, for frequent in-office meetings

• Relocation assistance in the form of a sign-on bonus may be provided, with the amount commensurate with need and within reasonable parameters.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the day-to-day relationship and strategic direction of Olympic sponsorship accounts

• Manage, mentor, and inspire a team of 1-2 account management professionals, creating a collaborative culture focused on delivery and development.

• Guide clients through customized promotional merchandise solutions that reflect their goals, brand, and evolving market needs.

• Will travel to various customer sites and for various events -- as much as 25% travel.

• Drive change management efforts, maintaining team morale and positive outcomes during growth, restructuring, or evolving priorities.

• Represent BDA with polish and credibility in executive-level presentations, business reviews, and strategy discussions.

• Deliver business insights and performance results through compelling proposals and data-driven storytelling.

• Serve as an escalation point for both clients and internal stakeholders, resolving issues with urgency and professionalism.

• Collaborate across internal teams (logistics, production, design, etc.) to ensure timely and high-quality program execution.

• Analyze financial reports, gross margins, and client sales performance to inform smart, scalable decision-making.

• Support hiring, performance management, and ongoing development of your direct reports.

• Partner with the Director on forecasting, business planning, and revenue growth for your account portfolio.

• Manage contact and opportunity database

• Build and develop and nurture relationships with current clients, opening up organic opportunities within portfolio

• Assist in developing proactive strategy, presentation and pitches for Client and large opportunities

• Ability to execute Strategic Account Plans

• Translate client sponsorship objectives into compelling merchandise programs that drive fan engagement and brand visibility

• Understanding our client’s financial needs from revenue, costs to margin

• Monitor competitive products and marketing activities

Qualifications

• 10+ years of positive enterprise account management, sales leadership, or national program oversight in the Sports Sponsorship category

• 5-8 years, proven success leading or mentoring teams through periods of rapid company growth and organizational change

• Experience in sales, marketing, or account management capacity supporting sports teams, leagues, events, or sponsors

• Demonstrated experience executing or supporting branded merchandise and sponsorship activations

• Proven track record of increasing sales and business opportunities through client development

• Strong knowledge of supplier relationship management, particularly across merchandise and brand strategy initiatives

• Executive-level presentation skills with a commanding, polished presence and a strategic, creative communication style

• Experience in promotional merchandise is highly preferred

• Ability to manage multiple complex projects under tight deadlines in a dynamic, high-velocity environment

• Demonstrated track record of maintaining positive culture and team performance during times of ambiguity or change

• Financial acumen including margin analysis, forecasting, and sales performance tracking

• Proficiency with CRM and order management systems (Salesforce preferred) and Microsoft Office Suite

Key Competencies

• Strategic relationship building

• Consultative selling and solution development

• Strong business acumen and analytical skills

• Team leadership and collaboration

• Exceptional customer service orientation

• Always in learning mode and coachable

• Accountability & Passion

• Hunter sales mentality

• You are an Inspiring leader who leads by example with clarity, optimism, and decisiveness

• Expert multitasker who thrives in fast-paced, results oriented, performance culture

• Creative thinker with sharp business instincts and brand alignment savvy

• Client-first attitude and strong collaboration skills

• Adaptable, accountable, and driven to deliver world-class results—every time

We are pleased to share the base salary range for this position is $110,000 to $125,000. If you are hired at BDA, your compensation will be determined based on factors that may include geographic location, skills, education, and experience. In addition to these factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as a part of any offer. In the spirit of pay transparency, the range listed is the full base salary range for the role and hiring at the top of the range would not be typical, in order to allow for future salary growth. The range listed is just one component of BDA’s total compensation and rewards programs, which includes: robust PTO; vacation, a paid volunteer day, holidays and summer Fridays, Benefits; medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance, 401k; tuition reimbursement, mental health and financial wellness programs and professional development opportunities including tuition reimbursement. Certain revenue-generating positions may be eligible for incentive compensation.

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BDA is more than a workplace - it’s a family. For more than four decades we’ve promoted a vibrant and welcoming culture that not only accepts but demands you to be different. The quirky, the bold, the creative and the unique make up the foundation of a company that the most iconic brands in the world look to help tell their story through the power of merchandise.

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Must be 18 years or older to apply.