This position supports Marketing, Sales and Production initiatives of the Events & Sponsorships Team.  This individual will work closely with the Marketing & Sales team to compile information & support sales through proposal generation; including creative development, collecting and formulating research information, and building compelling presentations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepare and provide optimal pre and post- sales support for all Sponsorship programs.
• Lead the creation and idea generation of compelling and innovative sponsorship proposals.
• Write integrated proposals for revenue driven programs, sponsorships, and partnerships.
• Create promotional recaps and present to internal staff at end of each sold program.
• Work with senior team members to identify potential advertisers and sponsors, fostering new business development.  
• Research clients using internal database to identify appropriate contacts and facilitate communication.
• Research new and existing clients for sponsorship prospects while preparing research, anticipating the client’s needs to prepare informed and strategic insights that can be applied to the sponsorship sales process.
• Lead inter-departmental and cross-market communication: update all sales materials and event calendars.
• Develop and maintain internal and external sales collateral, including but not limited to sales materials, presentations, marketing kits and websites.
• Manage internal communication across various departments (creative, marketing, editorial, advertising) in order to maintain current promotional & sponsorships information to be posted internally and externally.
• Understand assigned categories in sufficient depth to help support category initiatives through appropriate marketing programs and added value concepts for the team. 
• Manage and facilitate promotional campaigns ranging from $50,000 – 750,000
• Research new and existing clients for sponsorship prospects while preparing research, anticipating the client’s needs to prepare informed and strategic insights that can be applied to the sponsorship sales process.
• Collect and explain insights and best business practices for key categories to team members, sales managers and sales representatives.
• Assist with the development of timelines and updating event P&L’s.
• Responsibilities include taking direction from team Producers and Managers with the execution of on-site components of sponsorship at designated events; including physically setting up and tearing them down, hanging banners, assembling signage holders and distributing premiums.
• Attending events to help facilitate the execution of sponsorship deliverables.
• Transporting materials for use at events, such as premiums and sales materials, either using personal vehicle or rental truck.
• Analyze audience demos and recommend ways to reach targets in the market.
• Research trending marketing techniques and apply findings in a promotional context.
• Act as "Marketing Brand Ambassador" at events; includes talking with sponsors, event producers and general public. 
• Research talent contacts and speaker fees, assist with securing of talent and coordination of talent logistics
• Oversee events social media feeds, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, working with marketing teams on messaging and posting calendars
• Maintains department’s key account lists.
• Manage ticketing and RSVP sites for events
• Monitor consumer-inquiry-focused events email box and provide timely and professional answers and feedback to consumers
• Research programming ideas and talent contacts, to ensure a constantly growing database of programming ideas and contacts
• Provide administrative account & event related support.
• Lead cross-departmental communication to facilitate event sponsorship revenue billing.
• Write contractual agreements for added value programs, sponsorships, partnerships and outside vendor relationships in order to achieve the greatest benefits for the Chicago Tribune Media Group.

REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 4-year undergraduate liberal arts, business or marketing degree or equivalent related experience.
• Experience in Advertising &/or Events industry preferred.   Solid understanding of Advertising &/or Events industry essential.
• Ability to organize, multi-task and maintain professional customer service skills.
• Excellent analytical, written and oral communication skills
• Strong technology skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) are a must; (Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator) experience is optimal.
• Must have exceptional time-management skills
• Must be able to work any shift, early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as necessary.