The Client Strategist develops and executes sponsorships and brand partnerships, playing a key role in marketing strategies and client collaboration.
Playon is looking for a highly creative, growth-minded Senior Client Strategist to help lead development and execution of sponsorships and brand partnerships for the company’s National Ad Sales division. This candidate will play a key role in developing our brand story and associated marketing materials, building sponsorship opportunities, conceptualizing and executing research initiatives, optimizing client execution workflows, and more. Reporting to the VP, Client Strategy, the ideal candidate will be a strong storyteller with experience developing brand partnerships and can operate cross-functionally to help the team drive revenue against MaxPreps and the broader Playon portfolio of brands including GoFan and NFHS Network.
The Outcomes You’ll Deliver
• Partnership Strategy – Participate in the development of MaxPreps’ GTM strategy informed by research, analytics, and creative storytelling
• Sponsorship Development – Work with internal teams to turn existing and net-new editorial content and franchises into compelling sponsorships for brand partners
• Research & Innovation – Derive impactful audience data and insights to be used for brand pitches and marketplace engagement
• Sales Collaboration & Client Execution – Collaborate with Sales to influence revenue pipeline and activate with clients during key pre-and post-sale workflows
In this role, you can expect to
- Partner cross-functionally to develop proactive and reactive sponsorship opportunities and tentpole calendars that leverage multichannel content / editorial
- Lead ongoing management and creative development of media kit and marketing materials / templates / decks
- Influence optimization of pre- and post-sale workflows that champion quickness, efficiency, and exceptional client service
- Undergo ongoing analyses tied to brand ethos, marketplace story and supporting marketing materials
To thrive in this role, you have
- Bachelor's Degree and 5+ years sales marketing and/or client strategy experience
- Demonstrated track record of building creative, visual sales materials and informed brand stories
- Experience collaborating with teams and/or managing projects with strong performance and results with a passion to collaborate with team members
- Ability to thrive in multiple environments and effectively work with others to achieve broader business outcomes
- Organized, strategic thinker who’s able to take concepts to reality for brand partners
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Interest in and enthusiasm for high school and broader sports marketplace
- Proficient in Figma Slides, Pitch.com, PowerPoint, Keynote, and other design / presentation tools (e.g. Canva)
- Understanding of the digital landscape including Display, Video, Audio, Social, Branded Content, Events, Data/Targeting, Ad Measurement, and more
How You Play
- Ownership over Participation- You take responsibility for achieving holistic outcomes, prioritize key objectives, and adapt quickly when situations require a different approach. You follow through even against the toughest challenges.
- Team over Stars- You are a bridge builder, establishing processes and relationships with teams outside your own. You work to rally around common goals, find win-win solutions, compromise when necessary, and help others succeed.
- Growth over Comfort- You are driven by a desire to grow and actively seek opportunities to expand your comfort zone, skills, and confidence. You embrace new challenges with curiosity, accepting discomfort and failure as opportunities to learn.
- Fairness over Popularity- You approach decisions with a scientist’s mindset, challenging your assumptions and remaining objective. You consider long-term impact rather than relying on short-term gains, proactively seek others’ perspectives, and manage emotions in decision-making.
Company Overview
PlayOn is a dynamic growth-stage company dedicated to championing the spirit of play in the high school space. Backed by KKR, our family of brands—including GoFan, NFHS Network, and MaxPreps—empowers schools with innovative solutions and exceptional service. Our fan engagement platform is the only one that offers event ticketing, streaming, fundraising, concessions, merchandise sales, and website management in one place. We save administrators time so they can focus on what truly matters: supporting the students, staff, and fans who bring their programs to life.
Trusted by thousands of schools across the country, we're here to help create more instant replays, hold-your-breath moments, last-minute comebacks, and games you want to watch over and over again.
When being there means everything, we make sure you never miss a moment.
Why you’ll love working at PlayOn
Product, potential, and people. We’re a leader in the high school event space, constantly evolving our product to meet the needs of administrators. We focus on solving real challenges, learning quickly, and creating impactful solutions.
This is a growth-stage company, meaning your contributions have real impact. You’ll have opportunities to grow your skills, tackle meaningful problems, and make a difference in the lives of schools and the students and fans they serve.
Our culture is built on accountability, collaboration, growth, and fairness. We don’t just show up—we show up for each other. Everyone wears the same jersey, and we play hard, make the extra pass, and cheer one another on. Losses teach us, challenges motivate us, and persistence drives us forward. We value integrity over shortcuts, choosing to do what’s right even when it’s hard. Together, we strive to be better every day—because we know that’s how we win as a team.
The Benefits We Offer
Multiple medical insurance plans to choose from
Dental, vision life and disability insurance
Employee Emergency Fund
Company equity (stock options)
Open PTO policy
401K plan with company match
Hybrid/flexible work environment
Note: Must be a full-time employee to participate in the company’s employee health benefit plan. Part-time employees and interns are not eligible to participate.
Top Skills
Canva
Figma Slides
Keynote
Pitch.Com
PowerPoint
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