Business Development & Owned Media Manager - Peoria Civic Center

Position: Business Development Manager

Department: Sales

Reports to: Director of Sales  

Summary: The Business Development Manager for the Peoria Civic Center (PCC) is responsible for driving revenue growth through sponsorship sales, premium seating sales, and special event development. This position focuses on building strategic partnerships with local businesses, community organizations, and stakeholders while enhancing the PCC’s visibility, community engagement, and overall profitability. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize sponsorship, advertising, and promotional opportunities across all PCC assets, including digital platforms, LED displays, venue signage, and event-related inventory.

• Generate sponsorship revenue for all PCC-promoted events and activities, both within the facility and throughout the community.

• Develop, negotiate, prepare, and execute sponsorship agreements, sales contracts, and partnership proposals.

• Schedule and conduct meetings with prospective sponsors, delivering customized presentations and sponsorship packages tailored to client objectives.

• Lead and support negotiations with current and prospective venue sponsors while identifying and pursuing new revenue-generating sponsorship opportunities.

• Maintain and manage sponsor and prospect databases, ensuring accurate records and proactive follow-up to cultivate long-term business relationships and identify future sales opportunities.

• Collaborate in the creation and development of sponsorship and premium seating sales materials, including brochures, presentations, promotional pieces, advertisements, and marketing collateral.

• Prospect, sell, renew, and retain premium seating products, including Arena Suites, Lofts, Loge Boxes, and Theater Boxes, while delivering exceptional customer service to clients.

• Collaborate with Box Office Management to develop, implement, and manage premium seating ticket distribution strategies, ticketing solutions, and customer service processes that enhance the premium guest experience and maximize revenue opportunities.

• Enhance the PCC’s reputation within the community by developing innovative special events and strategic partnerships that increase attendance, engagement, and profitability.

• Provide leadership and strategic insight to identify growth opportunities, revenue initiatives, and business development strategies for the venue.

• Partner with the Director of Sales and other department leaders in strategic planning efforts related to marketing, sales, operations, and business growth.

• Collaborate with PCC directors and departmental teams to develop, coordinate, and execute special events and community initiatives.

• Monitor industry trends, competitive market activities, and emerging sponsorship opportunities to support ongoing business development efforts.

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

There are no direct reports for this position.

Minimum Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Submit an Application for Employment through the Legends Global career portal.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.

Education and / or Experience:

• Significant outside sales experience with a proven track record of profitable sales growth.
• Experience in convention center or event venue sales preferred.
• Experience in advertising sales preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing or related field preferred.
• Experience with Customer Relationship Management software preferred.

Skill and Abilities:

• Professional communication skills, verbal and written.
• Basic understanding of market demographics, layout and media buying.
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills required.

Computer Skills:

• Proficiency with MS Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook required.
• Familiarity with photo editing and document production software preferred.

Other Qualifications:

• Must have reliable transportation.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to access all public and non-public areas within PCC and on PCC property.
• Ability to navigate steps, slopes, narrow hallways and paths in varied lighting conditions.
• Ability to travel off-site to business client locations throughout the greater Peoria area.

To Apply:

Apply via Indeed.com or the Legends Global Career Portal.

The essential responsibilities of this position are described under the headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. Also, this document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.

Legends Global is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, and encourages Women, Minorities, Individuals with Disabilities, and protected Veterans to apply. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Applicants who need reasonable accommodations to complete the application process may contact the Peoria Civic Center Human Resources at mbaumann@peoriaciviccenter.com.